Twelfth school told of closure

By Johnny Caldwell
BBC News

There has been a primary school in the area since 1850

With just days before the end of term, pupils and staff at a County Tyrone school have been told it will shut its doors permanently this summer.

The principal of Trillick Primary School said it was a "very sad day for the area".

"There's been a school here since 1850," said Mary Kee.

The school is one of a dozen schools closing across NI this summer - these include Lisnasharragh High School where George Best was a former pupil.

Five of these schools will merge, while the others will be consigned to the pages of history.

It is proposed that a number of other schools elsewhere in Northern Ireland will also close this summer, including Balmoral High School in Belfast, but a final decision has not yet been taken with regards to their future.

Trillick Primary School, in the village of the same name, has 35 children on its roll and a staff of two.

"Some pressure was put on us, but we knew we couldn't go on for any more than a year and it's probably best for all concerned that this doesn't drag on any further," said Mary Kee.

Balmoral High School Closure

"We know we not alone in terms of what we're going through, but it doesn't make it any easier at this stage."

Commenting on the closure, Education Minister Caitríona Ruane said: "It is always with great sadness that I close any school.

"The low enrolments, however, present major difficulties in delivering the revised curriculum.

"The educational interests of the children would be better served by one of the neighbouring schools in the area, where they will be able to benefit from a broader educational experience."

The other schools closing at the end of this academic year are Balmoral High School (Belfast); St Gabriel's College (Belfast); Collone Primary School (County Armagh); Minterburn Primary School (County Tyrone); Killyman Primary School (County Tyrone) which is merging with Tamnamore Primary School; Shanmullagh Primary School (County Fermanagh); Burnfoot Primary School (County Londonderry), which is merging with Dungiven Primary School and Largy Primary School.