Education officials and special guests joined pupils and staff of Enniskillen Model Primary School for a ceremonial sod-cutting which marks the start of work on a new two storey building on the current school site.

Education Authority (EA) Chairperson Sharon O’Connor joined Principal Winston Glass, Chairman of the Board of Governors Samuel Balmer, pupils, EA officials, Department of Education officials, representatives from the Controlled Schools’ Support Council and Woodvale Construction Company to mark the occasion.

In a statement issued to this newspaper, Mr. Glass said: “We are delighted to see our new school building well underway, which will serve children, staff and parents for many years to come.”

“It is a special day for the entire school and I would like to thank the Board of Governors, staff, parents and pupils for their patience and their continued support. I would also like to thank everyone involved, for their commitment to the project,” said Mr. Glass.

The new ‘state-of-the-art’ building will feature 14 classrooms and a two classroom Language Centre with further support accommodation. The design of the new build primary school will incorporate the former red brick school house, a historically important Grade B1 listed building, built around 150 years ago.

Praising the dedication of the school staff, governors and education officials who have brought the project to this important stage of construction, Ms. O’Connor said: “I would like to congratulate the staff and governors for their hard work as construction takes place on what will be a new chapter for Enniskillen Model Primary School.”

She continued: “It is an exciting time for everyone involved – the pupils, staff past and present, parents, governors, the planning and design teams, the architects, consultants and contractors, the Department for Education and indeed the wider community.”

The new facilities are funded by the Department of Education and delivered through the EA.