St. Mary's High School, Brollagh is will close its doors permenantly in August.

The school, which has been earmarked for closure four times since 2008, will discontinue from August 31, 2021.

Attempts by many in the local area who have strong connections with the school to keep it open have now failed.

The Department of Education rejected an application to transform the school to Controlled Integrated Status while the closure application was approved.

In his comments for nbot approving the transformation to Integrated Education, the Education Minister, Peter Weir said: "Having weighed up all the information, taking into account my statutory duty and noting all evidence including NICIE's concerns of its impact on the wider local integrated sector, I do not believe the case for transformation for change can be approved as it is not robust enough to justify."

Sinn Féin MLA Jemma Dolan expressed her disappointment, frustration and shock that the Minister of Education has decided to close St. Mary's High School, Brollagh 

Development Proposal 630 proposed the 'Transformation of St Mary’s High School, Brollagh to Controlled Integrated Status.'

Speaking after the announcement Jemma Dolan MLA, who is a past pupil of the school, said;

"I was so disappointed that Minister Peter Weir has decided not to approve Development Proposal 630 to change Brollagh to an integrated school.

"But to actually close the school in a post-covid world has really angered me.

"Children and parents should be afforded the opportunity, if so wanted, to be educated locally instead of being put on crowded buses to be shipped to large towns.

"On the 24th of February I received an answer to a question sent by me from Minister Weir that his officials were "currently analysing all the relevant information and assessing" both proposals.

"He certainly moved first since last week.

"So many good people have worked so hard to keep Brollagh open.

"It is very frustrating for myself and all those who are fighting to keep the school open when we are continually ignored by CCMS, the Education Authority and know the Education Minister.

"We all must continue to fight to ensure post primary education remains in our local area. 

"Myself and my colleagues in Sinn Féin shall continue to stand up for the rights of our rural constituents."