Rural primary school closures devastating, say parents

The closures of three rural primary schools have been described as "devastating" - one year after they were given a reprieve.

Parents of pupils at Balnamore Primary School in County Antrim said they were "devastated and deeply disappointed" that the school was to close.

Education Minister Paul Givan announced that Balnamore, outside Ballymoney, will shut at the end of the academic year.

Lack Primary School in County Fermanagh and Straidhavern School in County Antrim will also close.

A spokesperson for Given said he had given his decisions on Lack PS, Balnamore PS and Straidhavern PS "careful consideration" before approving their closures.

They continued: "There was no evidence to suggest that these schools could address their deficiencies identified, when assessed against the Department's Sustainable Schools Policy and become sustainable.

"The education of children and young people in educationally and financially viable and sustainable schools is essential and approval of these proposals will provide educational opportunities to children and young people in larger settings."

One of Lack Primary School's governors, Canon Alan Irwin described it as "very disappointing" for both the school and the wider community.

"I think that's a devastating blow for a small rural community to lose a school, the school is the heart and soul of a small community particularly Lack," he said.

"Here we are the gateway to the lakes and now it'll just be a wee hamlet passing through with no school and that's the sad reality."

The Department of Education said the school was predicted to have a small deficit but the main reason for its closure is thought to be the falling pupil numbers.

Over the past five years the school's enrolment has declined from 39 pupils to only 22 pupils.

Ballynamore and Lack Primary schools were two of four earmarked for closure in April 2024 - along with Queen Elizabeth II Primary School in County Tyrone and Ballougry Primary School in County Londonderry.

All four closures were postponed for an academic year and Queen Elizabeth II was later saved from closure altogether.

The future of Ballougry is unclear, with a department spokesperson saying: "A final decision on the school's future has not to date been taken."

Givan said Balnamore had "suffered a catastrophic decline in the number of children and young people attending".

There are 12 pupils enrolled there.

The Department for Education said that is significantly below the minimum threshold of 105 pupils for a sustainable rural primary school.

"There are considerable available places in good alternative controlled schools in the area," Givan said.

He added that the decision to close the school would be in the best educational interest for the remaining pupils.

Parents of pupils attending the school said they were "dumbfounded" at the decision.

Balnamore Primary Support Group said: "Many of us, as parents have spent the past days comforting our young children, wiping their tears, and struggling to explain why their school, their safe place, will soon be gone.

"The school is more than just a building – it is the heart of our community, and we will do everything in our power to keep it beating."

Joanne Skinner, whose daughter Mia has attended Balnamore for five years, said she was angry at the decision.

"Balnamore is a thriving community with housing developments going up, young families coming in with young children. It needs a school," she said.

"This is a wonderful school with fantastic resources…we have the room to grow.

"We needed three years to grow and they didn't give it to us."

Past pupil Les Magee said four generations of her family attended the school in the village.

"The school is the centre of any village," she said.

"Parents didn't know if the school was staying open, so you wouldn't want to put your child into that if you didn't know what was going to happen in the future.

"If we had a longer reprieve, most definitely we know from our figures that people would send their kids to the school," she added.

Gareth Pidgeon owns a shop in Balnamore and is deputy chairman of the campaign group Save Balnamore Primary School.

He said 62% of the children at the preschool this year were due to attend Balnamore PS next year.

"That is with the threat of the school being closed, If that was lifted and we were given a three year reprieve I'm sure that would be much higher and would give the confidence for other families to come to the school," he said.

"There is a strong potential it will have an impact on [my] store and with that, the staff hours potentially get cut.

"I potentially can't employ more people.

"The child's mummy who comes in and picks up the mince for her dinner tonight won't do that because she'll have to drive two or three miles to others school, so it could have a big impact."

Meanwhile Lack Primary School principal Sandra Johnston said she was devastated to hear her school would be closing.

"Our priority now is the welfare of the children, parents, staff and the entire school community," she said.

North Antrim MP Jim Allister said the closure of Balnamore was "a wrong-headed decision" by Givan.

"It was clear the circumstances which produced the pupil reduction in this previously thriving school was going to take longer than one year to reverse," he said.

"By only allowing one year for recovery the minister assured a negative outcome."

Straidhavern Primary School principal Judith Meekin described the mood among staff and parents when they found out about the closure as "somewhat akin to a funeral".

Ms Meekin said the school received a call from the Department of Education on Wednesday morning to let them know that the closure would be published on the department website that afternoon.

She said she was "absolutely devastated" and there have been "a few tears already" from the children.

"Some children are feeling daunted by the experience and are afraid for the future."

Ms Meekin said that the school's breakfast club and wrap around care until 17:00 BST "is not something that can be replicated in other schools".

"We put forward a strong case during submission to the Department of Education in May.. but unfortunately we didn't end up with the outcome we wanted," she told BBC News NI.

"We are appealing to the minister directly via email and hoping that the minister will get in touch," she added.

The Department of Education's conclusion on their website was that the school has demonstrated "low enrolment for a number of years."