Anger at possible school closure

The County Down school is attended by almost 250 children

There has been an angry response to proposals to close Donaghadee High School on the Ards Peninsula in County Down.

It is feared the school, which is attended by almost 250 children, could shut in August next year.

The South Eastern Education Board also wants to stop new pupils joining this September.

A consultation period will take place from the end of this month after the proposals have been published.

Assembly member Alex Easton described the possible closure as "madness".

"To take away a school that has a distinguished role of education and learning is to tear at the heart of the town of Donaghadee," he said.

"I will be setting down questions to the Education Minister (Caitriona) Ruane seeking to have this decision reversed.

"There is also the issue of integrated status to be considered. Any proposal that retains quality education in Donaghadee for the secondary sector deserves the fullest and most detailed consideration."