Education Minister welcomes Avoniel judgment

Education Minister, John O'Dowd, has welcomed a judgment in relation to Avoniel Primary School.

In May this year the Minister approved Development Proposals 223 and 224 to close Avoniel PS from 31 August 2015 and to increase admissions and enrolment numbers at Elmgrove PS from 1 September 2015.

Welcoming the decision by Mr Justice Stephens to reject a challenge to keep Avoniel open, the Minister said:

“My focus continues to be developing a planned network of viable and sustainable schools capable of delivering effectively the revised curriculum and the Entitlement Framework.

 These schools must provide adequate access to a range of educational provision appropriate to the needs of the children and young people across all local areas. It will therefore be essential that a broad vision of the type and scale of education provision required to meet the future needs is agreed, encompassing the various models to do so.”

Notes to editors: 

1. Media enquiries to the Department of Education Press Office Tel: 028 9127 9207. Out of office hours, contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 076 99 715 440, and your call will be returned.

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