Model new build delayed again

The Impartial Reporter can reveal that the Department of Education now wants a “robust justification” from the Western Education and Library Board (WELB) for the need for a 16 class primary school plus two speech and language rooms, “given that there are 136 unfilled controlled primary school places in the Enniskillen town area.” In June 2012, Education Minister John O’Dowd announced that the school would see “immediate commencement” of a £5.7 million new build. The Board of Governors had hoped that the new build would be completed by 2016. The Minister announced an update on his capital programme to the Assembly on Tuesday morning, naming 15 schools that are to proceed. Enniskillen Model PS was not on that list. UUP MLA Tom Elliott took the opportunity to ask for an update on the Model PS. The Minister replied: “There are issues around numbers and design heritage issues around the school itself.” A spokeswoman from the Department of Education told The Impartial Reporter: “Enniskillen Model PS is one of 22 new builds announced by the Minister in January 2013 to advance in planning. The Department has been working with the WELB on a number of issues regarding school size and the handling of a listed building on the school site.” Asked to clarify what the Minister meant, the spokeswoman said: “The Minister was referring to: the Department’s request to the WELB to provide a robust justification for a 16 class school plus two speech and language units; and the proposals for handling the listed building on the existing school site.” She continued: “The Department is seeking a robust justification from the WELB for the need for a 16 class primary school plus two speech and language rooms, given that there are 136 unfilled controlled primary school places in the Enniskillen town area.” Chair of Enniskillen Model PS Board of Governors, Mr. Peter Little believes this is connected to the fact that the department recently allowed Enniskillen Integrated Primary School to double its year one intake.

“Our problem with the department is that the Minister gave us the go-ahead two years ago and it seems to be caught in administrative delays which are frustrating and disingenuous,” Mr. Little tells The Impartial Reporter.

“They are trying to say that they are looking at enrolment in light of the doubling of Enniskillen Integrated’s intake. This is despite the Model being over-subscribed by 15 this year and the Integrated being constantly undersubscribed,” he continued.

“I am very disappointed and frustrated that the department has not actioned their announcement from two years ago. The officials are dragging their heels.” Mr. Elliott commented: “It’s really disappointing that there has been further delay on the Model School. This is a project that has been in the pipeline since 2003. I understand it is an oversubscribed school and it’s really frustrating to see a new barrier put in its way.” An economic appraisal for the Model PS was first approved in February 2004. In 2009, the Northern Ireland Environment Agency initiated a process to have the primary school listed. Following discussions it was agreed that the primary school would not be listed but the original Model School House would be listed. In January 2011, a revised economic appraisal (EA) was submitted to the Department of Education for a 16 classroom school with a two classroom speech and language provision (for 436-465 pupils). In June 2012, the school received approval for a new build. In January 2013 a revised EA was submitted to the department, which included incorporating the listed Model School House. In May 2013, the department sent a letter questioning the rationale for inclusion of the listed building. Between May and December, the WELB sent letters and a feasibility report, outlining the reasons for inclusion of the listed building in the design of the new school. On April 18 this year, WELB submitted a revised EA, addressing the issues the department had raised after receiving the feasibility report.