Swann and Wilson seek meeting on future of Balnamore Primary School as petition is launched

The request comes following the publication of the Strategic Area Plan 2022-27: Planning for Sustainable Provision in which Balnamore Primary School was selected to “address school provision where sustainability is an issue and ensure school places are located as required”.

The Education Authority has advised “further correspondence will be forwarded... on the proposal in early September 2023, with a Consultation Document and supporting information made available before a pre-publication consultation meeting.”

Cllr Wilson has been engaging both board members and parents in relation to this upcoming consultation.

"Many generations have attended this school, and it is the heart of the local community,” he said.

Mr Swann said: “We hope to meet with Area planning officers to put the case forward that Balnamore has educated and will continue to educate generations of pupils from this local community.”

Now a petition has been launched calling for the EA consultation to bring forward “a number of options” not just closure.

It reads: “Balnamore PS has been an important part of the village for over 50 years, providing quality education for generations of children. Our school plays an important role not only in the lives of pupils themselves but in the local community in connecting people through a shared local bond.

"The school being local to pupils also helps to encourage shared responsibility between pupils and parents. It has a dedicated staff who have built connections both with pupils and families in the area.”