A GROUP campaigning to keep the Collegiate Grammar School open has said they are “bitterly disappointed” with a High Court judge’s decision to refuse a legal challenge to the Education Minister’s proposals to amalgamate the school with Portora Royal later this year.


Neville Hale, chairman of the Collegiate Support Group, said: “We still maintain our position that the creation of a new grammar school from the closure of these two excellent schools is not the all-encompassing solution to the perceived education problem in Fermanagh and other avenues should have been explored.


“However, the welfare and education of our children in this county are, and have always been, the only priority and we will give our full support to the Interim Board of Governors of the Enniskillen Royal Grammar School as they continue their work for the opening of the new school in September.” 


Thanking all those within the community who have supported the group over the last two years, the chairman said: “Without that level of public endorsement we would have found it very difficult to take our arguments forward with any credibility. We would also like to thank the Board of Governors, staff and most importantly the pupils of the Collegiate for their unwavering support during the period.”


Mr Hale said the commitment of the Collegiate principal, Elizabeth Armstrong, and the chairwoman of the Board of Governors, Florence Brunt, had been a “source of inspiration” to the group during their attempts to overturn the Minister’s decision.
He said that, while the Collegiate Grammar School may cease to exist as an entity from September, its history and contribution to education in Fermanagh would “never be forgotten”.
“More importantly, those who have been fortunate enough to be associated with the Collegiate, in whatever capacity, will ensure that the school’s ethos and the values that it represents will continue to live on for generations to come,” the chairman added.