DETERMINED parents at St Mary’s Primary School, Fivemiletown say they are ready for a fight to save it from any potential closure after the Council for Catholic Maintained Schools (CCMS) contacted them last week to arrange a consultation on its future.

Speaking to the Impartial Reporter this week, a representative of the school, on behalf of its parents, said the uncertainty of what lies ahead had left the entire school community feeling anxious but determined to secure the school’s future.

On Friday the CCMS contacted the school, its governors and parents to arrange a consultation meeting on October 27.

A spokesman for the CCMS told the Impartial Reporter yesterday (Wednesday) that while there is no new draft proposal on the table, the managing authority wishes to consult on the future of education for the area by discussing all options available.

At the time of going to press the spokesman was unable to disclose what these options were.

Ahead of the meeting, however, a campaign has been launched on Facebook to save St Mary’s Primary School.

To date it has amassed over 500 likes, with many former pupils at the school posting memories of their time there.

In a statement to this newspaper, parents at the school said they would do “everything in our power to seek a realistic solution and ensure the continuation of the current provision in Fivemiletown”.

“We have just been informed that a consultation meeting will take place with CCMS on Monday, October 27, where they will outline their draft proposal to the Board of Governors, Staff and Parents,” reads the statement.

“Obviously this is a very anxious time for everyone involved and the uncertainty that lies ahead.

“We hope that CCMS will take on board the views and concerns of the parents before making any hasty decisions.

“The parents are determined to secure the future of St. Mary’s not only for existing pupils but for generations to come.

“It would be a massive loss not only for the pupils but for our community as a whole.

“It is a bridge we hope we will not have to cross but in the event of further action being taken by CCMS we as parents will do everything in our power to seek a realistic solution and ensure the continuation of the current provision in Fivemiletown.

“The potential disruption this process has on pupils and parents is very unpleasant and concerning but we are confident that the quality of education the pupils receive will continue to be of the highest standard, as for the school, it is business as usual.” St Mary’s Primary School falls under the wing of the Southern Education and Library Board (SELB).

In January 2013 SELB, in association with the CCMS, published a draft area plan for primary provision for the area.

It stated a “number of issues in the school and/or local area” had been identified and needed to be addressed in relation to St Mary’s.

It said the school had an enrolment in 2012/13 of 38 pupils -- below the minimum enrolment threshold detailed in the Sustainable Schools Policy.