Expansion possible for Rathore in bid to boost SEN places in South Down: Girvan
Rathore School could be in line for an extension, the Education Minister has indicated.
Paul Givan was answering questions in the Assembly following his announcement of a wide-ranging programme of “significant and sustained” capital investment for the development of school facilities to support children with Special Educational Needs (SEN) across Northern Ireland.
While Rathore School was not mentioned in the Ministerial Statement, questions were asked of the Minister around what he intends to do to increase SEN provision in the South Down area.
Responding to the question by Sinn Féin’s Sinead Ennis, he said the “ambitious” programme, which will require half a billion pounds of investment in facilities, “will transform the education and lives of our most vulnerable children and their families”.
He added: “In South Down, planning for a new-build school for Knockevin Special School will begin immediately.
"The Education Authority (EA) has been asked to submit proposals for any required extensions to special schools, which will now be taken forward under the school enhancement programme, and it is envisaged that that will include Rathore School. Additional land, which should provide much-needed growing space, has recently been purchased beside that school.”
Mr Givan added that due to rising demand “the situation for September 2024 remains very challenging” and revealed that latest planning assumptions from the Education Authority indicate that almost 5,800 children require a change of placement for September 2024, with an estimated 1,000 additional places being needed across Northern Ireland to meet that demand.
"South Down has been identified by the EA as being an area of particular pressure, with additional places being required in special schools and for SPiMS,” he stated.
"The EA continues to engage with all education sectors in the area on building capacity and addressing need.
"It is in discussions with Rathore School regarding potential options for expansion for September 2024.
"A number of solutions have also been agreed in the Downpatrick area for providing early years and foundation-stage specialist provision classes for children with severe learning difficulties, as Knockevin School has very limited capacity for new admissions for September 2024.
"Expansion of provision at Oakwood School's Saintfield site for September 2024 is also actively being considered. Furthermore, five schools in South Down have agreed to establish new SPiMS classes.
“I assure the Member that the EA continues to work at pace on a significant programme of work to create additional specialist education places in special schools and for SPiMS for the 2024-25 academic year. Meeting the needs of an increasing number of children with statements of SEN continues to be extremely challenging in the budgetary context. Urgent investment is required in order to create additional capacity across the system.”
Newry & Armagh MLA Justin McNulty asked when contractors could be expected on site at Rathore.
The Minister responded: “The statement this morning outlined the process for any new build, school enhancement programme or minor works schemes.
"There needs to be an assessment of need, followed by feasibility studies, a business case and design processes before a school project gets to the point of being ready. When the capital becomes available, construction can then be put in place.
"For all our special schools, I have outlined in detail the approach that the Department will take to identify the need, have the processes in place to expedite those matters as efficiently as possible and then get on with delivering construction.”