PUTTING PUPILS FIRST: SHAPING OUR FUTURE
North Eastern Education and Library Board
Post-Primary Area Plan
November 2013
CONTENTS
Executive Summary Page 2
Proposals Page 5
Chapter 1 Introduction Page 6
Chapter 2 Context Page 7
Chapter 3 NEELB Context Page 11
Chapter 4 Aims, Objectives and Constraints Page 19
Chapter 5 Overall Area Profile Page 27
Chapter 6 The NEELB Central Area Overview Page 41
Chapter 7 Antrim Council Area Page 44
Chapter 8 Ballymena Council Area Page 58
Chapter 9 Magherafelt Council Area Page 75
Chapter 10 The NEELB Northern Area Overview Page 91
Chapter 11 Ballymoney Council Area Page 94
Chapter 12 Coleraine Council Area Page 107
Chapter 13 Moyle Council Area Page 124
Chapter 14 The NEELB Southern Area Overview Page 138
Chapter 15 Carrickfergus Council Area Page 141
Chapter 16 Larne Council Area Page 156
Chapter 17 Newtownabbey Council Area Page 170
Chapter 18 Summary of Proposals Page 186
Appendices Page 189
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Executive Summary
The aim of the Post-primary Area Plan is to develop a network of viable and sustainable schools which can effectively deliver the Northern Ireland Curriculum and the Entitlement Framework (EF). The network of schools must provide access to a range of educational provision that is appropriate to the needs of the children and young people in the North Eastern Education and Library Board (NEELB) area.
The final plan for post-primary provision in NEELB has been completed following:
• Consideration of responses received from consultation on the draft area plan; • Detailed analysis and consideration of the data and projections included within the plan; • Engagement and consultation with the other school sectors, managing authorities and schools;
Information is presented into Central, Northern and Southern clusters of Council areas, with an analysis provided for each of the individual 9 Council areas covered by the NEELB, i.e. Antrim, Ballymena, Ballymoney, Coleraine, Magherafelt, Larne, Newtownabbey, Carrickfergus and Moyle. A profile of population trends which show a continuing decline in projected enrolments to 2018 with a predicted increase up to 2025 within the NEELB is explained in detail within each section of the document. At the time of the October 2012 Annual School Census, post-primary education was available in 49 schools. Since this date Garvagh High School closed on 31st August 2013. Details on enrolments, capacity and the number of unfilled places within each school are presented.
The Department of Education (DE) has analysed the post-primary population across Northern Ireland and has forecasted the number of school places required in each Education and Library Board (ELB) area. The Needs Model forecasts that 34,110 post- primary places will be required in the NEELB area in 2025. These projections are based on the latest available published official data1 and 2012/13 DE school census data, and take account of the numbers of pupils who live in one area and attend school in another.
It is recognised that these projections become less reliable as planning horizons increase. They are, however, the best available data for planning purposes and have been adopted by all the Boards. The projections will be updated as new official statistics are published.
Table1: Actual and Projected Capacity
Year Total Pupils NEELB Area 2012 Approved Enrolment Unfilled Places 2012 31845 35,135 4150 2025 34110 35,135 1025
1 Office of National Statistics Page 2
Table 1 shows the capacity within the post-primary sector in the NEELB area. In total there are 4,150 unfilled places2. Based on the current number of school places available there remains a potential for 1,025 unfilled places in 2025; however, given that the reliability of the projections decreases over the 15 year period, this may be considered to meet the 2025 need for places. The NEELB has a statutory obligation to ensure that there is adequate provision of education places to meet the needs of children and young people requiring education within its area. As area planning is an iterative process, the future number of places required will be continually updated as new population forecasts are issued.
Sections 6 to 8 of the report provide detailed information on the profile of post-primary provision for each of the 9 Council areas within the NEELB.
The key issues to be addressed are:
Unfilled Places
• The majority of the unfilled places are in 10 post-primary schools (based on 200+ places and excluding Garvagh High School, which closed 31 August 2013).
Quality Education
• 2 of the 48 post-primary schools have less than 40% of pupils achieving 5A*- C GCSE. • 9 of the 48 post-primary schools have less than 25% of pupils achieving 5A*- C GCSE including English and Maths. • 4 post-primary schools are in Formal Intervention (as at 30 June 2013).
Enrolment Thresholds
• 19 schools have enrolments that are below the minimum enrolment threshold of 500 for Years 8 to 12. • Of the 39 schools which have a Sixth Form, 11 fall below the minimum enrolment threshold of 100 pupils required for a sustainable Sixth Form.
Financial Deficits
• 6 schools indicate a projected deficit greater than 5% and less than 25%, or greater than £75,000 (Level 3). • The remaining 29 schools are operating within LMS financial limits (Level 4). NB: Figures not available for Voluntary Grammar (VG) or Grant Maintained Integrated (GMI) schools.
2 Unfilled places are the difference in the enrolment number set by DE and the actual enrolment
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Individual managing authorities are responsible for addressing the above issues depending on the school sector and management type:
• NEELB is the managing authority for the Controlled sector. • The Council for Catholic Maintained Schools (CCMS) is the authority for the Maintained sector. • Individual Voluntary Grammar Schools, Grant Maintained Integrated Schools, and Grant Maintained Irish Medium schools are responsible for addressing issues within their own schools through the Board of Governors of each school.
The Board is committed to addressing the quality of education provision and other viability issues in controlled schools and is actively engaging with individual controlled schools to address education and other viability issues, concurrently with the process of area planning, where this is possible.
The Board acknowledges that the other managing authorities are equally committed to addressing the quality of education provision within their own schools.
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Proposals
The NEELB, after discussion with the relevant sectoral bodies and taking into consideration the views expressed from the respondents to the draft area plan, has developed proposals for each post-primary school.
The NEELB has a duty, under the Northern Ireland Education and Libraries Order 1986, to secure efficient and sufficient provision of primary and post-primary education within the Board area to meet the needs of all the pupils.
Additionally, Article 142 of the Education Reform (NI) Order 1989 places a subsidiary duty on CCMS to promote and co-ordinate the planning of effective provision of Catholic Maintained schools.
The following areas were identified by the NEELB as priorities for Early Action (Coleraine, Antrim/Ballymena and Newtownabbey) and have been taken forward by the Board as follows:
• Garvagh High School – closed 31 August 2013. • Crumlin College – The North Eastern Education and Library Board is in the process of considering future education provision in Crumlin. • Ballee Community High School – the Board has published a Development Proposal for the closure of the school on 31 August 2013 or as soon as possible thereafter. • Dunclug College – the Board has published a Development Proposal to increase the enrolment of the school. • Cambridge House Grammar School – the Board agreed to further period of consultation on a proposal to reduce the enrolment number to 800 initially with the admission number also reduced to 120. This will be followed by a period of phased growth to 900 by 2025. It is anticipated such growth will begin in 2019. • Coleraine College – to be considered for closure. Consultation period closed 16 September 2013. • Coleraine Academical Institution and Coleraine High School – option to combine to create two separate co-educational schools under the same school names and management types. Consultation period closed 16 September 2013. • Newtownabbey Community High School and Monkstown Community School – A Development Proposal has been published requesting the discontinuance of the two schools and the establishment of a new non-selective post-primary school on the current Monkstown Community School site.
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Chapter 1 Introduction
1.1 In his Statement to the Assembly, on 26 September 2011, the Education Minister, John O’Dowd MLA, highlighted the need to move forward with the implementation of the Department of Education’s Sustainable Schools Policy and the process of strategic planning on an area basis.
1.2 The Minister made it clear that, against the backdrop of an extremely challenging financial landscape in the coming years, progress on reshaping the structure and pattern of education provision could not be delayed. This work is at the core of the raising standards agenda which can only be delivered efficiently and effectively through a network of strong, sustainable schools that command the confidence of the communities they serve.
1.3 The Minister indicated that, until such times as the Education and Skills Authority (ESA) is established, the existing statutory bodies must work together to deliver a more strategic area-based approach to planning the delivery of education.
1.4 The Minister commissioned the Education and Library Boards, working in close conjunction with CCMS and engaging extensively with other school sectors, to develop collective strategic plans on an area basis.
1.5 The focus of the work is on developing a planned network of viable and sustainable schools capable of delivering effectively the revised curriculum and the Entitlement Framework and of providing adequate access to a range of educational provision appropriate to the needs of the pupils and young people in an area. It is therefore essential that a broad vision of the type and scale of education provision required to meet the future needs is agreed, encompassing the various models to do so.
1.6 The exercise covers the provision of all grant-aided primary and post-primary schools of all management types in each of the five Education and Library Board areas. The plan will be produced in three parts; the first part covered Special Schools and has already been submitted to the Department of Education, the second part (this plan) focuses on post-primary provision, including the delivery of viable 6th form provision and the third part which focused on primary provision has been submitted to the Department of Education in draft form.
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Chapter 2 Regional Context
2.1 The Department of Education’s vision is - “To ensure that every learner fulfils his or her full potential at each stage of development.” All Departmental policies contribute to the delivery of that vision and all have, as a central tenet, the educational well- being of the pupils and young people for whom the education service is designed. It is essential that schooling reflects the needs of the pupils and addresses these needs in the most efficient and effective way possible. This can best be achieved through a network of viable and sustainable schools that are of the right type, the right size, located in the right place and have a focus on raising standards.
2.2 The Minister for Education, John O’Dowd MLA, in his statement to the Assembly on 26 September 2011 outlined his plans to move forward with the implementation of the Sustainable Schools Policy and the process of collective, strategic planning of education provision for the primary and post-primary sectors.
2.3 In advance of the establishment of the Education and Skills Authority (ESA), the Minister has commissioned the Education and Library Boards (the Boards), working in close conjunction with the Council for Catholic Maintained Schools (CCMS) and actively engaging with the other sectors to undertake the strategic planning of education provision on an area basis. The main focus of this work will be to develop a planned network of viable and sustainable schools capable of delivering high quality education to meet the needs of all the pupils and young people in the area in line with the full suite of DE Policies.
2.4 The Boards and CCMS must ensure that this work takes account of the Department’s commitments in the Programme for Government and supports the implementation of, the Departmental policies and reviews, in particular (This list of policies and reviews is not exhaustive):-
2.5 The Sustainable Schools Policy specifies six criteria and indicators for use in assessing the viability of schools. The focus is on high quality education and maximising the benefits for pupils and young people through the efficient and effective use of available resources. This policy will be central to the area planning process.
2.6 The Viability Audit (February 2012) assessed all schools against specific Quality Education, Financial Management and Enrolment criteria as detailed in the Sustainable Schools Policy.
2.7 The Viability Audit provided a factual snapshot of school performance, school enrolments and school finances based on quantifiable and robust data. The
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indicators did not include statements for which information was unavailable or was likely to be subjective.
2.8 The NEELB has updated the Viability Audit and produced an Annual Area Profile (June 2013) for its post-primary schools which may be viewed on the NEELB’s website – www.neelb.org.uk/areaplanning. This data will be updated on an annual basis.
2.9 Every School a Good School (ESaGS) sets out the belief that schools themselves, through honest self-evaluation informed by data, are best placed to identify and address areas for improvement that can bring about better outcomes for pupils. It sets out the characteristics of good schools, which are pupil centred, well led, have high-quality teaching and learning, and good community support.
2.10 Count, Read: Succeed is the strategy to improve outcomes in literacy and numeracy. It sets out how teachers are supported to meet the needs of all pupils, by identifying and addressing underachievement through prompt intervention.
2.11 The Northern Ireland Curriculum, which has literacy and numeracy at its core, puts a greater emphasis on developing the skills pupils need to prepare them for life and work.
2.12 The provision of the full Entitlement Framework (EF) as described in the Education (2006 Order) will become statutory from September 2013 with full implementation by 2015. However all post-primary schools in the NEELB area have been working towards these requirements through their Area Learning Communities.
The Department of Education circular 2011/26 and subsequent communication sets out a phased implementation for the Entitlement Framework and schools are required to meet the targets set out in the circular.
Each post-primary school in the NEELB area has included targets in the School Development Plan to ensure that the minimum number of courses is being provided at each of the implementation milestones.
Courses are mainly provided through collaboration between the schools in an Area Learning Community, but there are a number of courses being accessed through further education providers.
There are two key indicators of a school’s progress in achieving the required provision of courses at Key Stage 4 and at the Post-16 phase:-
• The number of courses provided by the school in the academic years identified in the circular;
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• The appropriate balance of applied and general courses are being provided, including a minimum of one-third of courses categorised as applied and a minimum of one-third of courses being categorised as general.
Schools can be categorised as having achieved one or both of these aims and this is tabulated below based on the data provided for the 2012/13 academic year against the criteria set out in DE circular 2011/26.
Table 2: Entitlement Framework
2013/14 Criteria 2014/15 Criteria 2015/16 Criteria Key Stage Key Stage Key Stage Post–16 Post–16 Post–16 4 4 4 At least one 100% 92.3% 97.9% 84.6% 93.7% 74.3% target achieved Both targets 93.7% 79.5% 84.6% 66.6% 66.6% 28.2% achieved
The EF is aims to provide access for pupils, based on their needs aspirations and interests, to a broad, balanced and coherent curriculum with a minimum number of applied courses. It is a key contributor to the overall goal of raising standards and of reducing the levels of educational underachievement that currently exist. The EF requires that every school provides access to a specific number and variety of courses at both key stage 4 and post-16. See details below.
Table 3: Entitlement Framework Statutory Requirements 2013/14 School 2014/15 School 2015/16 School Year Year Year Onwards Key Stage 4 18 Courses 21 Courses 24 Courses Post–16 21 Courses 24 Courses 27 Courses
2.13 The recommendations in the Report of the Review of Irish Medium Education, in particular Recommendation 21 which advises that the “Department must ensure that Irish-medium education is considered systematically throughout policy development”; and
2.14 The Review of Special Educational Needs and Inclusion aims to build on the existing SEN policy framework to develop the capacity of mainstream schools to meet the needs of pupils in their classrooms, within the wider context of provision made in special schools and learning support centres. The policy aims to provide for
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earlier identification and assessment of need along with more timely interventions by schools and Education and Library Boards.
2.15 This work should also take account of commitments outlined in the Good Friday Agreement and subsequent legislation in relation to Integrated and Irish medium provision. Throughout the process the principles of promoting equality of opportunity and good relations should be adhered to.
2.16 The prevailing financial position within education is a challenging one. It is therefore very important that schools’ managing authorities strategically plan to ensure that the education service is efficient and effective and makes the best use of available resources by achieving the maximum possible impact and benefits for pupils. Schools must continue to address the pressures facing them and take necessary action to ensure they live within budget.
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Chapter 3 North Eastern Education and Library Board Context
Population
3.1 The North Eastern Education and Library Board (NEELB), established under the Education and Libraries (NI) Order 1972, is the Education and Library Authority for the Northern part of the Province. Figures obtained from the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA), based on the 2011 census, show a the total population of Northern Ireland being 1,810,863 of which 426,284 are resident in the NEELB area, covering 1,442 square miles. It is responsible to the Department of Education for local administration of the Education and School Library Services in the local government Council areas of Antrim, Ballymena, Ballymoney, Carrickfergus, Coleraine, Larne, Magherafelt, Moyle and Newtownabbey (Figure 1)
3.2 The NEELB serves a largely rural population located in and around the wider hinterland of the towns of Antrim, Ballymena, Ballycastle, Ballymoney, Carrickfergus, Coleraine, Larne, Magherafelt and the Newtownabbey area which includes Glengormley and Monkstown.
Figure 1: The Northern Eastern Education and Library Board Area
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Tables 4 and 5 summarise the school aged population profiles for Northern Ireland and the NEELB area.
Table 4: Age Profile for Northern Ireland
Age Band Number Percentage of NI Population 0 to 3 100,298 5.5% 4 to 10 157,517 8.7% 11 to 16 147,240 8.1% 17 to 18 51,004 2.8% 19 to 100+ 1,354,804 74.8% Total 1,810,863 100.0% SOURCE: NISRA
Table 5: Age Profile for NEELB
Age Band Number Percentage of NI Population 0 to 3 22,775 5.3% 4 to 10 37,149 8.7% 11 to 16 34,119 8.0% 17 to 18 11,761 2.8% 19 to 100+ 320,480 75.2% Total 426,284 100.0% SOURCE: NISRA
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Roads Infrastructure
3.3 The roads infrastructure in NEELB reflects the mixed nature of the area with a motorway, high grade dual carriageway and rural roads network. The current pattern of post-primary schools are located in Antrim, Ballymena, Ballymoney, Ballycastle, Carrickfergus, Coleraine, Larne, Magherafelt and Newtownabbey and are all accessible through a good road network infrastructure as can be seen from the map in Figure 2.
Figure 2: Map of the NEELB Area Showing the Roads Infrastructure
Economic Development and Employment
3.4 Employment in each of the nine Council areas in NEELB area is ranked as follows, where a rank of 1 is the most deprived Council area, and 26 the least deprived Council area: Newtownabbey (7), Coleraine (13), Ballymena (16), Antrim (18), Magherafelt (21), Carrickfergus (23), Ballymoney (24), Larne (25) and Moyle (26). (source: www.nisra.gov.uk)
3.5 The Northern Ireland Executive’s Programme for Government has stated that ‘economic prosperity now and in the future is based on having people with the right skills’. A number of targets are therefore included in the Public Sector Agreement targets which relate directly to this, such as ‘ensuring 80% of the working age population are qualified to at least GCSE level or equivalent’.
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3.6 In its report ‘Forecasting Future Skill Needs in Northern Ireland’ (2009) the Department of Education and Learning estimates that only 1 in 6 jobs for people leaving the education system (or for migrants), will be for people with low qualifications, as compared to 1 in 5 in the past five years. These low qualifications are defined as Level 1 and below of the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) i.e. Entry Level Certificate in Adult Literacy, Level 1 NVQ, GCSE Grades D to G Level 1 or other/no qualifications.
3.7 At the opposite end of the skills framework (Levels 4 to 8) there is also an identified weakness in the under-representation of graduates in key sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing, construction, retail and hotels and restaurants, with Northern Ireland lagging 10 to 60% behind the UK average for graduates in these sectors. Even with the difficult current economic situation in the UK and in NI, and the weaker outlook in the future compared to the recent past, the economy is still predicted to undergo a change towards more skills based sectors and occupations. The report predicts that the higher skilled NQF proportion of the workforce is forecast to rise from 28% in 2005 to 43% in 2020, whilst the proportion of the population with low qualifications will fall from 29% in 2005 to a predicted 16% in 2020.
3.8 Clearly these figures and predictions have direct implications for post–primary education and the need for as many young people as possible to leave school with levels of qualifications at least at level 2 of the NQF, and ideally well beyond that, to drive and contribute to economic development and prosperity.
3.9 Economic development within the NEELB area can be enhanced by the development and maintenance of a well-developed network of post-primary schools which in turn helps to sustain and strengthen local communities, including rural communities. Providing the best facilities through well-resourced school buildings can contribute to raised educational standards and enables pupils to fulfil their full potential.
3.10 The Further Education Sector is also represented as a full member of each Area Learning Community (ALC). In many areas, the ALCs have established a firm foundation for collaborative working which will contribute to the wider economy.
Disadvantage
3.11 The NOBLE Index 2010 is the most up to date measure of relative deprivation in Northern Ireland. Deprivation is measured at Ward or Super Output Area (SOA) level. Each SOA approximately contains 2000 people and there are 890 Super Output Areas in Northern Ireland. This is compared to a larger ward area of approximately 3100 people and there are 582 wards in Northern Ireland. Within the NOBLE Index there are 7 domains of deprivation at Super Output Area level (SOA). This measure provides a more localised analysis of deprivation in the areas in which schools are located, though not necessarily the areas from which they draw all their pupils.
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3.12 The NI Multiple Deprivation Area Measure (NIMDM), an overall measure of deprivation, is constructed from 52 different indicators relating to seven weighted types or ‘domains’ of deprivation: Income, Employment, Health, Education, Proximity to Services, Living Environment and Crime & Disorder.
3.13 The NIMDM ranks the Council areas covered by the NEELB area as follows (1=most deprived, 26=least deprived): Newtownabbey (8), Moyle (9), Coleraine (10), Ballymena (11), Larne (13), Carrickfergus (14), Antrim (20), Ballymoney (25) and Magherafelt (26). Source: NISRA.
3.14 Clearly there are a significant number of areas of multiple deprivation across the NEELB particularly in the Ballymena, Coleraine, Moyle and Newtownabbey Council areas. There are also pockets of educational deprivation across the NEELB area particularly within Super Output Areas in larger towns of Antrim, Ballymena, Carrickfergus, Coleraine, Larne and Newtownabbey. Table 6 indicates the percentage of the population within each Council area who reside in the most deprived Super Output Areas.
3.15 Within each subsequent section of the plan more detailed information about the area that each post-primary school is located in is presented.
Table 6: Percentage of the Population of Each Council area Living in the Most Deprived Super Output Areas Council area % population living in most deprived SOAs Newtownabbey 13% Coleraine 12% Moyle 12% Ballymena 12% Larne 11% Carrickfergus 10% Antrim 5% Ballymoney 2% Magherafelt 2%
3.16 Neighbourhood Renewal Areas (NRAs) are identified as ranking in the top 10% most deprived Super Output Areas across Northern Ireland. Table 7 shows that of the 36 NRAs across Northern Ireland, the NEELB has 7 located within its area.
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Table 7: Neighbourhood Renewal Areas in NEELB
Council Neighbourhood Renewal Area
Coleraine Ballysally, Millburn, Churchlands
Ballymena Ballee, Ballykeel,
Newtownabbey Rathcoole, (Ballyclare) Grange
3.17 In the school year 2012/2013:
• 22% of non-selective post-primary pupils were entitled to FSM which is below the NI total figure of 28%; • 5% of Grammar school pupils were entitled to FSM which is below the NI total figure of 7%.
3.18 The following definitions apply to Free School Meals (FSM):
• FSM Eligibility: When a pupil meets one of the criteria contained in the arrangements for the provision of milk, meals and related facilities;
• FSM Entitlement: When a pupil makes an application for free school meals and is accepted;
• FSM Uptake: When a pupil entitled to free school meals makes use of the free school meal provision.
Education Provision
3.19 In 2012/13 there were 15 Nursery Schools, 208 Primary Schools, 49 Post-Primary Schools and 9 Special Schools as detailed in Table 8:
Table 8: Education Provision
Grant Catholic Other Controlled Maintained Irish Voluntary Sector Controlled Maintained Maintained Integrated Integrated Medium Grammar Total Nursery 13 2 - - - - - 15 Primary 120 66 2 8 6 5 1 208 Post-Primary (Non-Selective) 16 12 - 2 4 - - 34 Post-Primary (Grammar) 5 - - - - - 10 15 Special 8 1 - - - - - 9 SOURCE: DENI Page 16
Pupil Population
3.20 The Actual Enrolment and Approved Enrolment figures contained within this report exclude those pupils educated in Learning Support Centres within the NEELB. Further details on the number and location of Learning Support Centres can be found in section 5.13.
The 2012/13 Annual School Census showed that of the 332,743 pupils educated across Northern Ireland 22% (74,269) attended schools in the NEELB area, as shown in Table 9.
Table 9: Pupil Distribution
The percentage of primary and post-primary pupils with a statement of educational need in 2012/13 year is detailed in Table 10 below:
Table 10: Statemented Pupils
Statemented (Stage 5) 2012/13 NI NEELB Non-Selective 6% 5% Grammar 1% 1% Primary 3% 2% SOURCE: DENI
Educational Achievement
3.21 Table 11 provides a summary of the educational attainment of pupils in the NEELB for 2010/11 and 2011/12 compared to the overall Northern Ireland figures.
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Table 11: Educational Attainment 2010/11 2011/12 Non- Non- Selective Selective Selective Selective (%) (%) Key performance indicator (including equivalents) (%) (%) NEELB At grades A*-C (total) 43.6 91.5 43.8 91.8 NI At grades A*-C (total) 42.6 92.0 43.9 92.2 Incl. English and maths at 7+ GCSEs 35.2 90.3 34.2 89.3 NEELB grades A*-C (total) Incl. English and maths at 32.9 90.4 32.6 90.0 NI grades A*-C (total) NEELB At grades A*-C (total) 60.5 96.8 62.4 97.1 NI At grades A*-C (total) 60.1 97.0 63.9 97.0 Incl. English and maths at 38.3 94.5 36.6 92.3 NEELB grades A*-C (total) 5+ GCSEs Incl. English and maths at 36.4 93.9 36.2 92.9 NI grades A*-C (total) NEELB At grades A*-G (total) 95.1 99.9 95.9 99.7 NI At grades A*-G (total) 94.6 99.8 95.8 99.9 NEELB At grades A*-G (total) 0.5 ~ ~ ~ No GCSEs NI At grades A*-G (total) 0.7 0.1 0.3 0.0 ~ denotes a figure less than 5 SOURCE: DENI
Education and Government Policy
3.22 Within the Northern Ireland Programme for Government 2011/2015 there are a number of specific undertakings which will impact on the delivery of education to children within the NEELB area:
• To establish the Education and Skills Authority in 2013; • To create, by 2015, the conditions to facilitate at least 36% of primary school pupils and 22% of non-selective school pupils to walk or cycle to school as their main mode of transport; • To increase uptake in economically relevant Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) places; • To increase the overall proportion of young people who achieve at least 5 GCSEs at A* - C or equivalent including GCSEs in Maths and English by the time they leave school; • To improve literacy and numeracy levels among all school leavers, with additional support targeted at underachieving pupils; • To ensure that at least one year of pre-school education is available to every family that wants it; • To establish a Ministerial advisory group to explore and bring forward recommendations to the Minister of Education to advance shared education; • To ensure all children have the opportunity to participate in shared education programmes by 2015; • To increase substantially the number of schools sharing facilities by 2015.
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Chapter 4 Aims, Objectives and Constraints
Aim
4.1 The overall aim of the plan is to identify the need for education provision in the North Eastern Education and Library Board area in the context of and with reference to Department of Education policies and priorities and to identify and analyse potential solutions and make robust recommendations across sectors taking account of the individual sectoral interests.
Scope
4.2 The area plan covers all grant-aided post-primary schools of all management types within the NEELB area. The plan also notes the impact of children who live in another ELB area but attend a school in the NEELB area. This is referred to as Cross- Boundary Flows.
4.3 The planning process has been set out by DE in a number of stages:
Stage 1 Prepare an area profile, outlining current provision in the area using robust and verifiable data.
Stage 2 Examine the current viability and future sustainability of existing provision in line with the relevant DE policies, taking account of the Viability Audit Report.
Stage 3 Anticipate future need by sector, using robust and verifiable data.
Stage 4 Identify under or over provision by sector in the area taking account of cross boundary flows.
Stage 5 Identify options to address under or over provision by sector taking account of cross boundary flows which deliver viable and sustainable schools.
Stage 6 Produce an area plan of education provision to meet future demand.
Stage 7 Submit the draft area plan to the Department for consideration and approval to proceed to public consultation.
Stage 8 Consideration of consultation responses, finalisation of area plan for submission to the Department for approval.
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Objectives
4.4 The objectives of the plan for the North Eastern Education and Library Board area are to: • ensure a network of sustainable schools, within reasonable travelling distance for pupils and capable of delivering effectively the revised curriculum and, in post- primary schools, the Entitlement Framework; • identify and meet the needs of all pupils and young people in the area; • enhance the quality of provision and raise standards; • reduce the number of surplus places; • reduce duplication of provision; • identify realistic, innovative and creative solutions to address need, including opportunities for shared schooling on a cross sectoral basis; • maximise the use and sharing of the existing schools estate; • identify potential for co-location of mainstream and special schools; • take full account of appropriate and relevant FE Sector provision for 14-19 year olds; and • explore opportunities for cross board planning.
Needs Model
4.5 The Needs Model provides long-term projections of the requirement for places in each year across the planning horizon, i.e. until 2025, for each Council area. These are based on the published age population projections (Government Actuary’s Department 2010) and the 2012/2013 DE School Census data for the base year, 2012/2013. The projections take account of Cross Boundary Flows, i.e. the numbers of pupils who live in one area but attend school in another and allow an additional 10% on top of predicted need to account for parental preference. For planning purposes, the projections are broken down into 3 subsets as follows:-
Subset A • Controlled Non-Selective and Grammar schools • Non-denominational Voluntary Grammar schools
Subset B • Maintained Non-Selective schools • Denominational Voluntary Grammar schools • Irish-Medium schools and Irish-Medium units
Subset C • Grant Maintained Integrated • Controlled Integrated schools
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4.6 The area plan reflects the population projection figures included in the Needs Model. The sum of the projected need for places across the current 26 Council areas gives the overall total planning figure for all 5 Board area plans. However, an ELB can, where appropriate, increase the number of places provided within a subset or an area if this is balanced by a reduction in another subset or area. ELBs may also adjust their own planning figures in agreement with other ELBs providing the overall planning figure is met.
Constraints
4.7 The process of Area Based Planning is operating within a number of constraints which are outlined below: • planning is being done in the context of existing provision; • financial considerations mean that limited capital funding is available to support proposals for the realignment of provision; • new models of provision, particularly those with a sharing cross-sectoral element, are being developed within the existing legislative framework; • planning is being conducted within a five ELB model rather than the single authority of the proposed Education and Skills Authority.
Public Consultation on Area Plan
4.8 In September 2012 the Minister formally launched a public consultation exercise in relation to the Strategic Area Plans: entitled ‘Putting Pupils First’.
4.9 The aim of the consultation exercise was to obtain the views of those with an interest in education to make their views known about the range of options proposed within individual plans. Respondents to the consultation exercise also had the option to put forward further suggestions and/or additional recommendations for consideration.
4.10 Following the submission of the Viability Audit to the Minister, the North Eastern Education and Library Board engaged in an extensive series of consultation meetings with principals and Boards of Governors of 60 post-primary schools, to which colleagues from other managing authorities and sectoral bodies were invited.
4.11 Initial meetings were held with principals and chairs of Boards of Governors for all post-primary and Special schools and hosted in three areas of the NEELB i.e. Antrim (31 January 2012), Carrickfergus (1 February 2012) and Bushmills (2 February 2012).
4.12 The purpose of these meetings was to provide a general overview of and information on the process of area based planning and to outline the Viability Audit of schools. Invitations were extended to all sectors resulting in 101 people attending from schools including representatives from the Northern Ireland Council for Integrated Education and the Northern Regional College. Page 22
4.13 A second series of meetings were subsequently held, the purpose of which was to outline in detail the challenges facing the education sector and to initiate a process of consultation with key stakeholders. These meetings were held in Antrim (6 February 2012), Coleraine (8 February 2012) and Glengormley (9 February 2012). 133 people attended from 45 schools and colleges including representatives from other sectoral bodies.
4.14 Schools were invited to consider the outcomes of the Viability Audit and either individually or as Learning Communities submit any options that they would wish to be considered as the area plan was being prepared.
4.15 During the period 5 July to 26 October 2012, respondents were invited to submit their views by using a range of approaches. These included:
• Completion of the on-line Survey – www.puttingpupilsfirst.com; • Hard copy submissions of the on-line survey; • By letter or submission; • By completion of the NEELB’s web-download ‘Putting Pupils First – Shaping Our Future’ (Early Action areas).
4.16 In addition, Board Officers attended meetings with school communities including Boards of Governors, parents and meetings of senior managers to further clarify options outlined in the plan and discuss concerns.
4.17 The Board also provided an opportunity for young people to consider the options for post-primary provision within their area in a face-to-face meeting. Students were given a range of open and closed questions to respond to using Quizdom, an electronic response system. This was followed by small group discussions.
4.18 This student consultation took place on 16 October 2012 and overall 56 young people representing all the Youth Councils from within the nine Council areas of the Board participated. At the end of this consultation exercise, Board officers who facilitated the session, encouraged the participants to respond to the consultation documentation at www.puttingpupilsfirst.
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Number of Responses
4.19 The Board received a large number of responses to this consultation exercise. The number of responses received is outlined in Table 12 below:
Table 12: No. of Responses received
Type of Response Number Responses to on-line consultation 10272* (www.puttingpupilsfirst.co.uk) Responses received from Councils; Trades 44 Unions and other bodies (hard copy/e-mail) Responses via NEELB Web-site download 783 consultation paper (hard copy and e-mail) Petitions 13412 Total 24511
* Figure includes hard copy responses received
4.20 A report on the consultation exercise has been published which provides an analysis of the responses received and may be viewed at www.neelb.org.uk/areaplanning. The views raised during the consultation have been taken into consideration when formulating proposals.
Engagement with school stakeholders
4.21 All nursery, primary and post-primary principals were invited to meetings in January and February 2012 and were informed of the deadlines for submission of the primary and post-primary NEELB draft area plans, which was to be based on projected need for provision in each Council area and informed by the Viability Audit. It was stressed that progress on reshaping the structure of educational provision was of critical importance, given the backdrop of the increasingly challenging financial context. Stakeholders were invited to submit views, comments and options and comments regarding the draft area plan. Consultation with schools will continue throughout the iterative process of area planning.
Engagement with Sectoral Bodies
4.22 The NEELB has consulted with its key educational partners (CCMS, CnaG and NICIE) to engage stakeholders and progress area planning proposals in a coordinated and planned manner.
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Catholic Council for Maintained Schools (CCMS)
4.23 Board officers had meetings with CCMS officers regarding options for the Maintained post-primary schools in the NEELB area which reflects the work of the Northern Ireland Commission for Catholic Education (NICCE).
Northern Ireland Council for Integrated Education (NICIE)
4.24 The NEELB acknowledges that there is a statutory obligation under the Education Reform Order, 1989, and the Belfast Agreement to: “encourage and facilitate integrated education”. This has been taken into consideration in the formation of the area plan. Board officers met with the Chief Executive of NICIE regarding options for the 4 grant-Maintained integrated schools in the NEELB area.
Comhairle na Gaelscolaiochta (CnaG)
4.25 There are currently no post-primary Irish-Medium schools in the NEELB area. However, it is recognised that discussions will take place within a Northern Ireland Strategy for Irish-Medium Education, which is being formulated. The issue of future provision of Post-Primary Irish Medium Schools/Units is being addressed through discussions at the Area Planning Steering Group chaired by the DE.
Role of Area Learning Communities and Further Education Colleges
4.26 The Area Learning Communities and the Colleges of Further Education are seen as central to the success of this area plan through their input to, planning and support of and delivery of parts of the Entitlement Framework. All of the proposals contained within this plan will require a high level of planning and co-ordination with the relevant Area Learning Community and the Northern Regional College.
The Process for Taking Forward the Proposals
4.27 Following publication of the area plan the Board will continue to liaise with school principals, Boards of Governors, the Catholic Council for Maintained Schools, Northern Ireland Council for Integrated Education, Comhairle na Gaelscolaíochta, Boards of Governors of Voluntary Grammar Schools and Grant Maintained Integrated Schools, and the Department of Education to bring about the necessary actions as proposed in the plan. This will involve further consultation between all stakeholders at local level with any recommendations for change in the nature of provision being subject to the statutory Development Proposal process.
Early Action
4.28 The Terms of Reference for Area Based Planning which were issued by the Department of Education on 15 December 2011 indicated that where there were
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issues arising from the Viability Audit and/or Formal Intervention which were affecting the educational experience of young people, the managing authority was expected to address any such issues ahead of the main area based planning process to secure the education for those young people currently attending relevant schools. In light of this the North Eastern Education and Library Board, in January 2012, authorised officers to bring forward proposals for the strategic provision of education in three areas of the Board.
4.29 During March and April 2012 the Board carried out a review of provision at Garvagh High School, which led to a process of statutory consultation including meetings with Governors, staff, parents and pupils. The outcome of this consultation was the decision by the Education Minister on 1 October 2012, to approve the Development Proposal and Garvagh High School closed on 31 August 2013.
4.30 In June 2012 the Board initiated consultation on post-primary provision in 3 of its areas namely, Antrim/Ballymena, Coleraine and Newtownabbey. Briefing meetings were held for principals and chairs of Boards of Governors, teaching and non- teaching unions and the press on 30th and 31st May 2012. This consultation proceeded in parallel with the wider public consultation, closing on 26 October 2012. Further consultation with Governors, Staff, Parents and Pupils took place on proposals that were published in December 2012.
Antrim Council Area
4.31 The NEELB has reviewed the current provision in Crumlin Integrated College as a result of falling enrolments and year 8 intakes. At the Board meeting on Tuesday 29 October 2013 the members agreed to meet to consider the possibility of a new school under a joint management with CCMS.
Ballymena Council Area
4.32 At the Board meeting on 25 June 2013, members voted to recommend the closure of Ballee Community High School from the 31 August 2014 or as soon as possible thereafter. A Development Proposal to this effect has been published and the consultation period remains open until 30 November 2013 following which the Minister of Education will make a final decision on the future of the school.
4.33 At the Board meeting on 29 October 2013, members voted to recommend a phased increase in the Approved Enrolment Number of Dunclug College. This recommendation is the subject of a Development Proposal.
4.34 At the Board meeting on 29 October 2013, members instructed officers to carry out further consultation with the governors, principal, staff and parents of Cambridge House Grammar School with regard to the future size of the school.
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Coleraine Council Area
4.35 In May 2013 Board officers consulted with the governors, principal, staff and parents of Coleraine College and Coleraine High School on the following proposals,
• Coleraine College to be considered for closure; and • Coleraine High School and Coleraine Academical Institution will combine to create two separate co-educational schools under the same school names and management types. One school will select its pupils by academic ability and will have a maximum enrolment of 990 pupils by the year 2025 with the other school non-selective with a maximum enrolment of 1,210 pupils by the year 2025.
4.36 The initial consultation period closed on 16 September 2013 and the responses will be reported to Board members in December 2013 for their consideration.
Newtownabbey Council area
4.37 At the Board meeting on 25 June 2013, members voted to recommend the discontinuance of both Monkstown Community School and Newtownabbey Community High School to facilitate the establishment of a new non-selective post- primary school on the current Monkstown Community School site. A Development Proposal to this effect has been published and the consultation period remains open until 14 December 2013 following which the Minister of Education will make a final decision on the future of the schools.
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Chapter 5 NEELB Area Profile
Introduction
5.1 At the time of the 2012/13 Annual School Census there were 49 post-primary schools within the NEELB area as detailed below:
• 16 Controlled Non-Selective • 5 Controlled Grammar • 6 Voluntary Grammar (non-denominational) • 12 Maintained Non-Selective • 4 Voluntary Grammar (denominational) • 2 Controlled Integrated • 4 Grant Maintained Integrated
In the interim period and following Ministerial approval, Garvagh High School closed with effect from 31 August 2013.
As the data below is based on the October 2012 approved enrolment data, the figures for Garvagh have been included. The Actual Enrolment and Approved Enrolment figures contained within this report exclude those pupils educated in Learning Support Centres within the NEELB. Further details on the number and location of Learning Support Centres can be found in section 5.13.
5.2 There are a total of 35,135 places available within the 49 post-primary schools and these are broken down as follows:
Figure 3: Analysis of Available Places
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5.3 Based on the October 2013 approved enrolment data, 37% of the places available are within a selective school, i.e. a controlled grammar or voluntary grammar school.
5.4 As at October 2012 there were a total of 31,845 pupils being taught at the 49 schools. The breakdown of the distribution of the pupils by sector is shown in Figure 4.
Figure 4: Analysis of Enrolment (October 2012)
Based on the October 2012 data, 41% of the school population is taught in selective schools, i.e. Controlled and Voluntary Grammar schools.
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Non-Selective and Selective Schools
5.5 The following tables list the non-selective schools and the selective schools in the NEELB and their respective actual and approved enrolments.
Table 13: Non-Selective School Enrolments 2012 Actual Approved Sector School Enrolment Enrolment Controlled Non-Selective Ballee Community High 227 525 Controlled Non-Selective Cullybackey High 674 700 Controlled Non-Selective Dunclug College 703 600 Controlled Non-Selective Ballymoney High 633 670 Controlled Non-Selective Carrickfergus College 671 900 Controlled Non-Selective Downshire 725 800 Controlled Non-Selective Coleraine College 218 600 Controlled Non-Selective Garvagh High * 26 350 Controlled Non-Selective Larne High 486 750 Controlled Non-Selective Magherafelt High 562 600 Controlled Non-Selective Ballycastle High 375 460 Controlled Non-Selective Dunluce 468 550 Controlled Non-Selective Ballyclare Secondary 1,037 960 Controlled Non-Selective Glengormley High 871 1,250 Controlled Non-Selective Monkstown Community 619 820 Controlled Non-Selective Newtownabbey Community High 223 650 Total Controlled Non-Selective 8,518 11,185
Maintained Non-Selective St Benedict's College 412 500 Maintained Non-Selective St Patrick's College (B'mena) 513 760 Maintained Non-Selective Our Lady of Lourdes High 196 400 Maintained Non-Selective St Joseph's High 351 490 Maintained Non-Selective St Paul's College 317 270 Maintained Non-Selective St Killian's College 806 830 Maintained Non-Selective St Colm's High 442 340 Maintained Non-Selective St Mary's College 341 350 Maintained Non-Selective St Patrick's College (Maghera) 1,271 1,355 Maintained Non-Selective St Pius X High 939 850 Maintained Non-Selective Cross & Passion College 775 720 Maintained Non-Selective Edmund Rice College 608 600 Total Maintained Non-Selective 6,971 7,465
Controlled Integrated Crumlin Integrated College 169 400 Controlled Integrated Parkhall Integrated College 702 735 Total Controlled Integrated 871 1,135
Grant Maintained Integrated Slemish Integrated College 796 720 Grant Maintained Integrated Ulidia Integrated College 576 500 Grant Maintained Integrated North Coast 463 500 Grant Maintained Integrated Sperrin Integrated College 492 500 Total Grant Maintained Integrated 2,327 2,220
Overall Non-Selective 18,687 22,005 Source: DENI Annual School Census * Garvagh High School Closed on 31 August 2013
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Of the above schools, the following 3 are bi-lateral: • St Killian’s College; • St Patrick’s College, Maghera; and • Slemish College
Table 14: Selective School Enrolment Data
2012 Actual Approved Sector School Enrolment Enrolment Controlled Grammar Antrim Grammar 749 740 Controlled Grammar Cambridge House Grammar 926 1,030 Controlled Grammar Carrickfergus Grammar 814 800 Controlled Grammar Coleraine High 813 800 Controlled Grammar Ballyclare High 1,223 1,210 Total Controlled Grammar 4,525 4,580
Voluntary Grammar Ballymena Academy 1,217 1,200 Voluntary Grammar Dalriada 862 815 Voluntary Grammar Coleraine Acad Inst 775 870 Voluntary Grammar Larne Grammar 740 725 Voluntary Grammar Rainey Endowed 721 700 Voluntary Grammar Belfast High 936 930 Voluntary Grammar St Louis Grammar 985 960 Voluntary Grammar Dominican College 503 480 Voluntary Grammar Loreto College 808 800 Voluntary Grammar St Mary's Convent 1,086 1,070 Total Voluntary Grammar 8,633 8,550
Overall Selective 13,158 13,130 Source: DENI Annual School Census
5.6 Based on the October 2012 approved enrolment data 59% of the post-primary school population within NEELB is enrolled in non-selective schools and 41% in selective schools.
5.7 Based on the October 2012 approved enrolment data for non-selective schools:
• 46% enrolled in Controlled Sector • 37% enrolled in Maintained Sector • 5% enrolled in Controlled Integrated Sector • 12% enrolled in Grant Maintained Integrated Sector
5.8 Based on the October 2012 approved enrolment data for selective schools: • 34% enrolled in Controlled Grammar Sector • 66% enrolled in Maintained Grammar Sector
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Needs Model
5.9 The Needs Model divides the projected number of places across the following subsets for planning purposes.
Subset A Includes Controlled Non-Selective and Grammar schools Includes non-denominational Voluntary Grammar schools Excludes Integrated and Irish-Medium Controlled schools Subset B Includes Maintained Non-Selective schools Includes Catholic Voluntary Grammar schools Includes all Irish-Medium schools and Irish-Medium units Subset C Includes Grant Maintained Integrated and Controlled Integrated
Table 15: Projected Need for Post-Primary Places by Subset
NEELB Post-Primary Need Years 8-12 & Sixth Form
Total Subset A Subset B Subset C 2013 31,624 18,252 10,233 3,140 2014 31,289 18,063 10,118 3,109 2015 30,953 17,856 10,007 3,090 2016 30,838 17,813 9,945 3,080 2017 30,637 17,729 9,843 3,065 2018 30,783 17,827 9,877 3,079 2019 31,397 18,162 10,096 3,140 2020 32,021 18,516 10,310 3,196 2021 32,551 18,794 10,510 3,247 2022 32,979 19,033 10,666 3,280 2023 33,293 19,184 10,794 3,315 2024 33,793 19,474 10,954 3,365 2025 34,110 19,658 11,056 3,397 Source: DENI
5.10 The table above shows that, for all subsets, the need for places across the NEELB area is projected to fall until 2017 (by approximately 3.1%) and then increase steadily until 2025.
Despite this fall, the 2025 projected need is expected to be around 7.1% greater than the October 2012 post-primary enrolment. It is important to note that the planning figures are likely to be less reliable as the period of time lengthens into the future.
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5.11 Table 16 provides a breakdown of provision by Council area within each subset compared to the forecasted provision for 2025, based on the Needs Model.
Table 16: Forecasted Unfilled Places for 2025 Approved Number of Enrolment Actual Schools In Number Enrolment Forecast Unfilled Subset Council Area Sector Sector October 2012 2012/13 2025 Places A Ballymena Controlled Non-Selective 3 1,825 1,604 A Magherafelt Controlled Non-Selective 1 600 562 A Ballymoney Controlled Non-Selective 1 670 633 A Coleraine Controlled Non-Selective 2 950 244 A Moyle Controlled Non-Selective 2 1,010 843 A Carrickfergus Controlled Non-Selective 2 1,700 1,396 A Larne Controlled Non-Selective 1 750 486 A Newtownabbey Controlled Non-Selective 4 3,680 2,750 A Antrim Controlled Grammar 1 740 749 A Ballymena Controlled Grammar 1 1,030 926 19,657 1,348 A Coleraine Controlled Grammar 1 800 813 A Carrickfergus Controlled Grammar 1 800 814 A Newtownabbey Controlled Grammar 1 1,210 1,223 A Ballymena Voluntary Grammar 1 1,200 1,217 A Magherafelt Voluntary Grammar 1 700 721 A Ballymoney Voluntary Grammar 1 815 862 A Coleraine Voluntary Grammar 1 870 775 A Larne Voluntary Grammar 1 725 740 A Newtownabbey Voluntary Grammar 1 930 936 Total A 27 21,005 18,294 B Antrim Maintained Non-Selective 1 500 412 B Ballymena Maintained Non-Selective 1 760 513 B Magherafelt Maintained Non-Selective 4 2,895 2,993 B Ballymoney Maintained Non-Selective 1 400 196 B Coleraine Maintained Non-Selective 2 760 668 B Moyle Maintained Non-Selective 1 720 775 11,056 -281 B Larne Maintained Non-Selective 1 830 806 B Newtownabbey Maintained Non-Selective 1 600 608 B Ballymena Voluntary Grammar 1 960 985 B Magherafelt Voluntary Grammar 1 1,070 1,086 B Coleraine Voluntary Grammar 2 1,280 1,311 Total B 16 10,775 10,353 C Antrim Controlled Integrated 2 1,135 871 C Ballymena Grant Maintained Integrated 1 720 796 C Magherafelt Grant Maintained Integrated 1 500 492 3,397 -42 C Coleraine Grant Maintained Integrated 1 500 463 C Carrickfergus Grant Maintained Integrated 1 500 576 Total C 6 3,355 3,198
Grand Total 49 35,135 31,845 34,110 1,025
5.12 This data can be analysed as follows:- • Subset A - projected over-provision of 1,348 places in 2025. This over-provision lies, mainly, within controlled non-selective schools. • Subset B - projected under-provision of 281 places in 2025. • Subset C - projected under-provision of 42 places in 2025. Page 33
Learning Support Centres
5.13 Within the NEELB area there are 8 Learning Support Centres attached to post- primary schools as detailed below:
Table 17: Enrolment in Learning Support Centres
5.14 The units provide educational support to pupils with a wide range of special educational needs.
Enrolments Trends
5.15 The graph below shows the enrolment trend in the post-primary sector in the NEELB and the projected enrolment based on the Needs Model.
Figure 5: Total Pupil Enrolment Profile (2009-2025)
5.16 Actual enrolment has shown a pronounced decline from 2010/2011. This decline is expected to continue until 2017 due to the changes in demography. Increases in the
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birth rate from 2000 onwards are expected to lead to an increased enrolment in the period 2017–2025.
5.17 The graph below shows the enrolment trends by subset in the NEELB and the projected enrolment based on the Needs Model.
Figure 6: Enrolment Profile by Subset (2009-2025)
5.18 The pupil enrolment for Subset A has shown an actual decline of 2.4% from 2009 to 2012 and this decline is expected to continue until 2017. Projected enrolment is expected to increase from 2017 until 2025. This represents an increase of 7.5% on the current actual enrolment for 2012.
5.19 The pupil enrolment for Subset B has remained static from 2009 to 2012 with only minor growth of 0.7%. The projected enrolment is anticipated to decrease by a further 4.7% until 2017. Projected enrolment is then expected to increase from 2017 until 2025 by 6.6% of the current actual enrolment (2012).
5.20 The pupil enrolment for Subset C has remained static from 2009 to 2012 with only minor fluctuations. The projected enrolment is anticipated to decline until 2017. Projected enrolment is then expected to increase from 2017 until 2025 by 6.2% of the current actual enrolment (2012).
Unfilled places/surplus capacity
5.21 Table 18 shows the level of actual enrolment and approved enrolment within the subsets.
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Table 18: Actual and Approved Enrolment by Subset
Actual Enrolment Approved Enrolment Number Unfilled Places % Drop / Increase Subset 2010/11 2011/12 2012/13 Over 3 Year Period 2011/12 2012/13 2011/12 2012/13 A 18,771 18,548 18,294 -2.54% 21,005 21,005 2,457 2,711 B 10,365 10,339 10,353 -0.12% 10,775 10,775 436 422 C 3,177 3,173 3,198 0.66% 3,355 3,355 182 157 Total 32,313 32,060 31,845 -1.45% 35,135 35,135 3,075 3,290
5.22 There were a total of 3,290 unfilled post-primary places as at October 2012.
5.23 The level of unfilled places within Subset A has increased during the period as a result of falling pupil numbers. Garvagh High School closed on 31 August 2013 and this early action by the NEELB has had the effect of reducing the Approved Enrolment Number by 350. Despite this action, there is still a significant level of over- provision within this Subset.
5.24 The level of unfilled places within Subsets B and C has remained constant during the period 2011/12 to 2012/13.
Cross Boundary Flows
5.25 The Board recognises that the concept of parental choice results in many pupils travelling across Council boundaries to avail of their education. Figures 7 and 8 show the number of pupils of post-primary age living in one Council area, but availing of education in another area. These cross boundary flows indicate that there is significant inflow to Ballymena and Magherafelt areas, a small inflow to Moyle, significant outflow from Antrim and smaller outflows from the remaining 5 Council areas. 5.26 In considering the extent of cross boundary flow in some Council areas the area plan proposals will be aligned with the potential for efficiencies in transport costs to be realised. Figure 7: Net NEELB Cross Boundary Flows 2011
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Figure 8: Cross Boundary Flows – All Council Areas
Derry Down Dungannon Fermanagh Limavady Lisburn Mourne & Newry Down North Omagh Strabane In Migration Total Antrim Ballymena Ballymoney Carrickfergus Coleraine Larne Magherafelt Moyle Newtownabbey Ards Armagh Banbridge Belfast Castlereagh Cookstown Craigavon Antrim 70 0 0 0 0 0 0 84 0 0 0 7 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 73 0 0 0 0 236 Ballymena 824 356 1 27 238 44 25 34 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 1 1,556 Ballymoney 0 11 0 433 0 2 101 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 547 Carrickfergus 3 0 0 0 387 0 0 176 0 0 1 9 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 579 Coleraine 1 11 463 0 0 99 101 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 4 0 0 0 183 0 0 0 0 0 865 Larne 1 80 2 52 0 0 254 17 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 409 Magherafelt 492 138 40 1 135 1 0 1 0 0 0 1 1 954 0 5 0 3 0 238 0 0 0 2 14 2,026 Moyle 0 6 339 0 378 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 724 Newtownabbey 307 73 0 496 1 159 0 0 3 0 0 593 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 0 0 1,637 Ards 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 9 112 0 0 0 34 0 0 0 1 0 425 0 0 581 Armagh 3 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 62 2 0 1 555 0 5 236 2 0 9 118 2 0 0 997 Banbridge 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 118 1 0 0 413 0 24 0 1 0 336 182 0 0 0 1,078 Belfast 783 9 1 267 0 26 0 7 1,985 980 5 86 2,792 1 91 3 399 4 3 0 4,197 3 627 4 0 12,273 Castlereagh 3 2 0 5 0 0 1 0 3 267 0 2 1,279 0 1 0 91 0 0 0 75 0 391 0 0 2,120 Cookstown 0 0 0 0 0 0 18 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 104 0 0 0 0 0 6 0 130 Craigavon 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 647 95 0 0 2 0 0 46 0 0 268 5 0 0 0 1,063 Derry 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 215 1 0 0 0 283 501 Down 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 429 0 216 98 351 0 3 0 0 0 0 109 210 3 0 0 1,419 Dungannon 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 287 1 2 0 484 153 0 0 176 0 0 0 0 307 0 1,411 Fermanagh 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 25 0 1 0 0 121 0 147 Limavady 0 0 1 0 86 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 379 28 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 497 Lisburn 138 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 1 2 96 283 12 0 77 0 0 0 0 0 1 4 0 0 616 Newry & Mourne 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 208 348 2 0 0 176 0 240 1 0 0 19 0 0 0 996 North Down 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 931 0 0 421 91 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 1,452 Omagh 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 70 0 1 0 88 45 0 0 0 0 724 928 Strabane 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 6 0 0 18 0 0 0 0 50 75 Total Out Migration 2,556 400 1,205 822 1,060 811 168 488 2,312 2,612 1,268 907 2,713 3,363 1,512 1,473 398 824 507 245 637 5,094 519 1,456 490 1,023 34,863
Pupils from DC Studying in other DCs 2,556 400 1,205 822 1,060 811 168 488 2,312 2,612 1,268 907 2,713 3,363 1,512 1,473 398 824 507 245 637 5,094 519 1,456 490 1,023 34,863 Pupils from other DCs Studying in DC 236 1,556 547 579 865 409 2,026 724 1,637 581 997 1,078 12,273 2,120 130 1,063 501 1,419 1,411 147 497 616 996 1,452 928 75 34,863 Net Migration -2,320 1,156 -658 -243 -195 -402 1,858 236 -675 -2,031 -271 171 9,560 -1,243 -1,382 -410 103 595 904 -98 -140 -4,478 477 -4 438 -948 0 SOURCE: DENI
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High-level Outcomes of NEELB Viability Audit
5.27 All post-primary schools within the NEELB area were subject to a Viability Audit in February 2012. The audit identified a range of information, including: the quality of educational experience; stability of enrolment trends; and, soundness of financial position. The NEELB has updated the information and published the data as area profiles which will be produced on an annual basis. These are provided in the Appendices. A summary of this data is as follows.
Quality Educational Experience
• 2 non-selective post-primary schools have less than 40% of pupils achieving 5A*- C GCSE. • 9 non-selective post-primary schools have less than 25% of pupils achieving 5A*- C GCSE. • non-selective post-primary schools are in Formal Intervention (as at 30 June 2013).
Stable Enrolment Trends
5.28 Of the 48 post-primary schools in the NEELB area, 19 currently fall below the enrolment threshold of 500 pupils (Years 8-12) as specified in the Sustainable Schools Policy. The schools may be further categorised as follows:
Table 19: Enrolment – Years 8-12 (2012)
5.29 Of the 39 schools which have Sixth Form provision, 11 fall below the minimum threshold of 100 pupils as specified in the Sustainable Schools Policy. The schools may be further categorised as follows:
Table 20: Enrolment – Sixth Form (2012)
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Sound Financial Position
5.30 Schools indicate a projected deficit greater than 5% and less than 25% of their budget allocation, or greater than £75,000 (Level 3).
5.31 2 schools indicate a projected deficit greater than 25%.
5.32 The remaining 29 schools are operating within LMS financial limits (Level 4). The figures are the most up to date, based on the March 2013 Outturn Statement, but do not include Garvagh High School which closed on 31 August 2013. Financial information is not held for Voluntary Grammar Schools or Grant Maintained Integrated Schools.
Entitlement Framework
5.33 The provision of the full Entitlement Framework as described in the Education (2006 Order) will become statutory from September 2013 with full implementation by 2015. However all post-primary schools in the NEELB area have been working towards these requirements through their Area Learning Communities.
5.34 The Department of Education circular 2011/26 and subsequent communication sets out a phased implementation for the Entitlement Framework and schools are required to meet the targets set out in the circular.
5.35 Each post-primary school in the NEELB area has included targets in the School Development Plan to ensure that the minimum number of courses is being provided at each of the implementation milestones.
5.36 Courses are mainly provided through collaboration between the schools in an Area Learning Community, but there are a number of courses being accessed through further education providers.
5.37 There are two key indicators of a school’s progress in achieving the required provision of courses at Key Stage 4 and at the Post 16 phase –
• The number of courses provided by the school in the academic years identified in the circular; • That the appropriate balance of applied and general courses are being provided, including a minimum of one-third of courses categorised as applied and a minimum of one-third of courses being categorised as general
Financial and Budgetary Metrics
5.38 The following tables provide a summary of range cost data for Controlled and Maintained post-primary schools within NEELB area. It should be noted that this is based on limited information as the Board does not hold financial data for Voluntary Grammar Schools or Grant Maintained Integrated Schools.
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5.39 The Tables below show a summary of Controlled and Maintained Post-primary School’s Annual expenditure 2011/12.
Table 21: Summary of Controlled and Maintained Post-Primary Schools Annual Expenditure
Total School Pupils per FTE Total School Total School Expenditure Teacher Expenditure per Expenditure per sqm Pupil Average £2,642,328.40 15.16 £331.37 £4,250.65 Median £2,660,542.27 15.10 £357.21 £4,201.01 Range Maximum £5,576,099.00 16.60 £433.07 £6,610.02 Range Minimum £793,202.00 10.34 £155.66 £3,953.98 Note: Delegated Spend Only October 2011 teacher, pupil and area numbers
Table 22: Summary of Asset Cost Information for all Controlled and Maintained Post-Primary Schools within NEELB
Total Total Total Maintenance Maintenance Maintenance/ Utilities Cost Utilities Utilities 11/12 Spend/sqm pupil 11/12 Cost/sqm Cost/Pupil Average £75,058.00 £9.41 £120.74 £60,916.66 £7.64 £98.00 Median £65,947.00 £9.64 £107.76 £55,486.24 £7.38 £99.61 Range Maximum £136,559.00 £13.11 £352.58 £153,563.06 £17.14 £234.40 Range Minimum £26,712.00 £6.46 £70.51 £25,806.87 £4.52 £45.04 Note: Contains delegated utility expenditure and both delegated and non-delegated maintenance expenditure. October 2011 teacher, pupil and area numbers
Sustainability and Maintenance Backlog
5.40 The quality of the physical environment for learning and teaching, i.e. the condition, energy and water efficiency and suitability of the buildings, is an indicator within the Sustainable Schools policy Quality Education Experience Criterion.
5.41 Suitability assesses the accommodation available within each school against the accommodation that would be provided in a new school of the same type and capacity under the Department’s School Building Handbook. It provides an indication of a school building’s fitness for purpose. A school building that largely meets the Department’s Handbook would have a suitability score in excess of 90%.
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5.42 The maintenance backlog for each school is the estimated cost of repairing high priority defects or substandard components within each school.
5.43 The NEELB is presently revising the sustainability scores and maintenance backlog for the post-primary schools within its area and these will be provided in the next iteration of the area plan.
Maps
The Annual Area Profile data for each Council area and related pupil distribution maps for each school are detailed in the Appendices.
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Chapter 6 NEELB Central Area Overview General Context 6.1 The Central area of the North Eastern Education and Library Board encompasses the local Council areas of Antrim, Ballymena and Magherafelt. Post-primary education provision is predominantly clustered in the larger towns of Antrim, Ballymena and Magherafelt with provision also located in the smaller towns of Crumlin, Draperstown, Randalstown, Maghera and in Clady on the outskirts of Portglenone. It is acknowledged that some pupils travel across Council and Education and Library Board boundaries to access post-primary provision.
Figure 9: Map showing Post-Primary Schools within the NEELB Central Area
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Social Context 6.2 Table 6 indicates the Super Output Areas in which the post-primary schools are located. 6.3 While a number of post-primary schools are located in areas with varying degrees of social, economic and education deprivation, the enrolments will be drawn from a wider catchment area. 6.4 In planning localised post-primary provision it will be important for the Board to consider the needs of local communities in addition to the specific educational requirements of schools. A number of schools located in areas of educational deprivation are currently well placed to meet the needs and aspirations of local communities, an important factor in considering the sustainability of schools.
Table 23: Central Schools’ Locations within Super Output Areas
Management School Name Council area Super Output Areas NIMDM % Type lowest = Education most Deprivation deprived lowest = most deprived
C Dunclug College Ballymena Dunclug 18 8
GMI Slemish College Ballymena Ballykeel 16 9
VG St Mary's Grammar School Magherafelt Glebe 2 Magherafelt 25 21
M St Patrick's College, Maghera Magherafelt Maghera 25 27
C Ballee Comm High School Ballymena Harryville 30 29
C Cullybackey High School Ballymena Cullybackey 49 38
M St Pius X College Magherafelt Town Parks west 54 41
CI Parkhall Int College Antrim Springfarm 1 60 42
CG Antrim Grammar School Antrim Springfarm 1 60 42
VG St Louis' Grammar School Ballymena Park 73 48
M St Colm's High School Magherafelt Tobermore 48 51
C Magherafelt High School Magherafelt Town Parks East 1 66 52
M St Mary's College Magherafelt Valley 61 63
M St Benedict's College Antrim Randalstown 2 70 66
M St Patrick's College, B'Mena Ballymena Summerfield 80 68
CI Crumlin Int College Antrim Crumlin 1 Antrim 74 72
GMI Sperrin Int College Magherafelt Ballymaguigan 70 74
VG Rainey Endowed School Magherafelt Glebe 1 Magherafelt 89 89
VG Ballymena Academy Ballymena Academy 77 91
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Current Provision in the Central Area 6.5 In the 2012/13 academic year 13,927 pupils attended 20 post-primary schools in the Central area of the Board (Source: DENI NI School Census). 8,243 pupils attended 14 non-selective post-primary schools – 4 controlled, 2 controlled integrated, 6 Maintained and 2 grant Maintained integrated; 5,684 pupils attended 6 selective post-primary schools – 2 controlled and 4 voluntary. 6.6 Table 24 shows the enrolments over the past 7 years from 2006/07 to 2012/13 in each of the post-primary schools in the Central area. The existing number of unfilled places is also shown together with the occupancy rate.
Table 24: Central Area Post-Primary School Enrolments 2006 – 2013
School Approved Unfilled School Type 06/07 07/08 08/09 09/10 10/11 11/12 12/13 Enrolment Places
Ballee Community High CS 335 328 308 300 298 270 227 525 298 Cullybackey High CS 673 687 688 683 689 682 674 700 26 Dunclug College CS 626 617 628 644 639 657 703 600 0 Magherafelt High CS 478 478 485 557 563 572 562 600 38 Antrim Grammar CG 701 715 722 733 735 743 749 740 0 Cambridge House Grammar CG 1,062 1,057 1,060 1,034 1,043 978 926 1,030 104 Ballymena Academy VG 1,193 1,187 1,201 1,205 1,206 1,219 1,217 1,200 0 Rainey Endowed VG 707 706 702 704 703 703 721 700 0
St Benedict's College MS 472 478 497 513 481 452 412 500 88 St Patrick's College (B'mena) MS 421 415 470 505 524 515 513 760 247 St Colm's High MS 377 377 400 428 424 433 442 340 0 St Mary's College MS 274 282 285 282 317 329 341 350 9 St Patrick's College (Maghera) MS 1,256 1,259 1,299 1,305 1,306 1,284 1,271 1,355 84 St Pius X High MS 899 895 897 905 909 927 939 850 0 St Louis Grammar VG 947 955 952 952 948 965 985 960 0 St Mary's Convent VG 1,100 1,078 1,082 1,079 1,080 1,078 1,086 1,070 0
Crumlin Integrated College CIS 0 336 316 300 231 229 169 400 231 Parkhall Integrated College CIS 0 0 0 677 682 684 702 735 33 Slemish Integrated College GMI 718 736 748 746 753 759 796 720 0 Sperrin Integrated College GMI 350 404 442 475 481 495 492 500 8
Crumlin College CS 352 0 0 0 0 0 0 Transformed 0 Parkhall College CS 750 718 707 0 0 0 0 Transformed 0 Maghera High CS 143 136 117 0 0 0 0 Closed 0
Totals 13,834 13,844 14,006 14,027 14,012 13,974 13,927 14,635 1,166 Source: DENI Annual School Census
6.7 The enrolment trends being experienced in some non-selective post-primary schools present the challenge of remaining educationally viable and avoid the inefficiencies of increasing numbers of unfilled places.
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Chapter 7 Antrim Council Area 7.1 The estimated population of Antrim Council area based on the 2011 census figures was 53,428, a 10.47% increase on the 2001 census count of 48,366. There are 4 post-primary schools with the Antrim Council area: • 1 Controlled Grammar School • 1 Maintained Post-Primary School • 2 Controlled Integrated Post-Primary Schools
7.2 Of the 4 post-primary schools in the Antrim Council area, two schools fall below the minimum enrolment threshold of 500 pupils in Years 8-12. It is important to note that in one school the enrolment number set by the Department of Education does not allow the school to achieve this threshold.
Table 25: Enrolment Threshold – Years 8-12 (2012/13) Enrolment – Years 8-12 Number of Schools Less than 300 pupils 1 300 – 399 0 400 – 499 1 500+ 2 Total 4
7.3 One school which offers Sixth Form has pupil numbers above the minimum threshold of 100.
Table 26: Enrolment Threshold – Sixth Form (2012/13) Enrolment – Sixth Form Number of Schools Less than 40 pupils 0 40 – 59 0 60 – 79 0 80 – 99 0 100+ 1 Total 1
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Non-Selective / Selective Schools
7.4 Table 27 details the non-selective and selective schools within the Antrim Council area.
Analysis of the total enrolment data shows that 63% of pupils attend non-selective schools and 37% attend selective schools in the Antrim Council area. The percentage of pupil enrolment can be further analysed as follows:
• Controlled Grammar 37%;
• Maintained Non-Selective 20%;
• Controlled Integrated 43%.
Table 27: Post-Primary Provision 2012/13
Approved Enrolment Enrolment Years 8-12 Enrolment Sixth Form Total Enrolment Unfilled Places (-) / % Unfilled School Number October 12 October 12 October 12 Additional Places (+) Places Subset A - Controlled Grammar (Selective) Antrim Grammar 740 553 196 749 +9 -1% Subset B - Maintained (Non-Selective) St Benedict's College 500 412 0 412 -88 18% Subset C - Controlled Integrated (Non-Selective) Crumlin Integrated College 400 169 0 169 -231 58% Parkhall Integrated College 735 702 0 702 -33 4%
Totals 2,375 1,836 196 2,032 -343 14% Source: DENI Annual School Census
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Needs Model
7.5 Table 28 shows the projected need for places across subsets, within the Antrim Council area
It is expected that the projected pupil numbers within Years 8–12 will increase steadily from 2016 before levelling off between 2023 and 2025.
Table 28: Projected Pupil Numbers – Years 8-12
Antrim Council Post-Primary Need Years 8-12 Area Total Subset A Subset B Subset C 2013 1,889 540 448 901 2014 1,871 535 444 892 2015 1,880 538 446 896 2016 1,871 536 443 892 2017 1,875 537 444 894 2018 1,901 545 450 906 2019 1,975 566 467 942 2020 2,002 574 473 955 2021 2,049 588 484 977 2022 2,095 601 495 999 2023 2,110 605 499 1,006 2024 2,110 605 499 1,006 2025 2,106 604 498 1,004 Source: DENI It is expected that the projected pupil numbers within Sixth Form will vary between a low of 221 and a high of 312 between 2013 and 2025, as shown in Table 29.
Table 29: Projected Pupil Numbers – Sixth Form
Antrim Council Post-Primary Need Sixth Form Area Total Subset A Subset B Subset C 2013 240 209 10 21 2014 245 210 11 24 2015 249 211 13 25 2016 255 212 15 28 2017 242 208 12 22 2018 242 210 11 21 2019 225 209 6 10 2020 240 216 9 15 2021 246 221 9 16 2022 221 216 2 3 2023 251 228 8 15 2024 286 240 16 30 2025 312 249 21 42 Source: DENI
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7.6 Tables 30 and 31 show the projected need for pupil places within each subset in 2017 and 2025 as compared to actual need in 2012. In 2017 the Needs Model projects a significant upward trend in the requirement for pupil places.
Table 30: Projected Need (%) 2012 – 2017 – Years 8-12
Enrolment Projected Need % Increase / % Decrease Projected Need % Increase / % Decrease Subset October 2012 2017 from 2012-2017 2025 from 2012-2025 Subset A 553 537 -3% 604 9% Subset B 412 444 8% 498 21% Subset C 871 894 3% 1,004 15% Source: Annual School Census / DENI
Table 31: Projected Need (%) 2012 – 2017 – Sixth Form
Enrolment Projected Need % Increase / % Decrease Projected Need % Increase / % Decrease Subset October 2012 2017 from 2012-2017 2025 from 2012-2025 Subset A 196 208 6% 249 27% Subset B 0 12 n/a 21 n/a Subset C 0 22 n/a 42 n/a Source: Annual School Census / DENI
Table 32 summarises projected need for pupil places within the Antrim Council area.
Table 32: Projected Need (Pupil Places) 2012-2025
Sixth Form Years 8-12 & Sixth Form Subset Oct. 2012 2025 +/- Oct. 2012 2025 +/- Subset A 196 249 +53 749 853 +104 Subset B 0 21 +21 412 519 +107 Subset C 0 42 +42 871 1,046 +175 Total 196 312 +116 2,032 2,418 +386 Source: Annual School Census / DENI
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Enrolment Trends
7.7 Figure 10 shows the decline in actual enrolment to 2012 and projected increase in enrolment from 2016.
Figure 10: Overall Pupil Enrolment Profile – Actual and Projected 2009-2025
Figure 11 shows the enrolment trend for Subset A schools.
Figure 11: Subset A - Pupil Enrolment Profile – Actual and Projected 2009-2025
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Figure 12 shows the enrolment trend for Subset B schools.
Figure 12: Subset B - Pupil Enrolment Profile – Actual and Projected 2009-2025
Figure 13 summarises the enrolment trend for Subset C schools.
Figure 13: Subset C - Pupil Enrolment Profile – Actual and Projected 2009-2025
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Unfilled Places/Surplus Capacity
7.8 Table 33 provides an overview of the anticipated number of unfilled places in 2025 based on the Needs Model and an analysis of enrolment trend.
Table 33: Overview of the Anticipated Unfilled Places in 2025
2025 Projected Approved Enrolment 2025 Unfilled Places (-) / Subset Number Total Projected Need Additional Places (+) Subset A 740 853 +113 Subset B 500 519 +19 Subset C 1,135 1,046 -89 TOTAL 2,375 2,418 +43
7.9 Table 34 indicates that there is a total of 343 unfilled places within the Antrim Council area. Of the 343 unfilled places, 88 are within the Maintained Sector and 264 are within the Controlled Integrated Sector.
The 264 Controlled Integrated Sector unfilled places are mostly attributable to Crumlin Controlled Integrated College.
Table 34: Post-Primary Pupil Places 2012
Approved Total Enrolment Enrolment Unfilled Places (-) / % Unfilled Subset School Sector Number October 12 Additional Places (+) Places Subset A Controlled Grammar 740 749 +9 -1% Subset B Maintained Non-Selective 500 412 -88 18% Subset C Controlled Integrated 1,135 871 -264 23% Totals 2,375 2,032 -343 14%
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Cross Boundary Flows
7.10 Table 35 shows the number of pupils moving between Council areas in order to access school preferences. The movement of pupils across Council boundaries has been factored into the planning data for each area to ensure that the data properly reflects the developing need within that area.
An analysis by subset is as follows:
Table 35: Flow of Pupils Across Council Boundaries by Subset
7.11 There is a major outflow of pupils from the Antrim Council area to other Council areas. There is a total outflow of 2,556 pupils and inflow of 236 pupils. This represents a net loss of 2,320 pupils to the area.
7.12 The most significant flow of pupils is in Subsets A and B. In Subset A over 600 pupils move to post-primary schools in Ballymena and Newtownabbey Council areas. A further 197 pupils moved to post-primary schools in the Belfast City Council area.
7.13 Subset C shows an outflow of 390 pupils mainly to the Ballymena and Magherafelt Council areas.
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High Level Outcomes of Viability Audit
7.14 All post-primary schools within the Antrim Council area were subject to a Viability Audit in February 2012. The NEELB has updated this data; area profiles are included in the Appendices. This information will be updated on an annual basis. A summary of the information is as follows:
Quality Educational Experience
7.15 No non-selective post-primary schools have less than 40% of pupils achieving 5A*- C GCSE.
One non-selective post-primary schools has less than 25% of pupils achieving 5A*- C GCSE including English and Maths.
There is one post-primary school in Antrim Council in Formal Intervention.
Stable Enrolment Trends
7.16 Two post-primary schools in the Antrim Council area currently fall below the minimum enrolment threshold of 500 pupils (Years 8-12), as specified in the Sustainable Schools Policy.
One school has a Sixth Form, with an enrolment of 196 pupils.
Sound Financial Position
7.17 One school indicates a projected deficit greater than 5% and less than 25% or greater than £75,000 (Level 3)
3 out of the 4 schools are operating within the LMS financial limits (Level 4)
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Entitlement Framework
7.18 Tables 36 and 37 provide a breakdown of courses available to pupils in post- primary schools in Antrim Council for 2012/2013
Table 36: Entitlement Framework Provision 2012-2013
Number Number Number Number Total Total General Applied General Applied Sector Courses Courses Courses Courses Courses Courses Year 11 Year 13 Year 11 Year 11 Year 13 Year 13 Subset A Antrim GS 14 14 28 14 13 27 Parkhall Int. College 8 16 24 - - - Crumlin Int. College 8 12 20 n/a n/a n/a St Benedict’s 11 15 26 - - - College
Table 37: Entitlement Framework Variances (2012-2013)
12/13 Variance 12/13 Variance 12/13 Variance 12/13 Variance Sector KS4 from 2013 Post-16 from KS4 from 2015 Post-16 2015 Target 2013 Target Target Target Subset A Antrim GS +10 +6 +4 - Parkhall Int. College +6 - - - Crumlin Int. College +2 - -4 - St Benedict’s +8 - +2 - College
First Preferences
7.19 The table below shows the first preference applications for admissions for the 3 year period from 2011/12 to 2013/14 compared with the approved admissions number.
Table 38: First Preference Applications
3 Year School Approved First Preference Applications Variance Average Type Admissions School Number 11/12 12/13 13/14 11/12 12/13 13/14 Variance
Antrim Grammar CG 105 150 124 101 45 19 -4 20 St Benedict's College M 100 58 49 39 -42 -51 -61 -51 Crumlin Integrated College CI 75 38 19 11 -37 -56 -64 -52 Parkhall Integrated College CI 150 103 106 111 -47 -44 -39 -43 Page 54
7.20 Table 38 indicates that Antrim Grammar School (selective) has been over- subscribed in each year with the exception of the 2013/14 year whereas the remaining schools have been consistently under-subscribed. The figures also show that applications to schools in the area have been falling.
Summary of the Area Profile
7.21 Pupil enrolment in 2 of the 4 schools falls below the minimum enrolment threshold for Years 8-12
One school offers Sixth Form provision and is above the 100 pupil minimum threshold.
There is significant spare capacity in one non-selective post-primary school.
There is an issue of underachievement in one post-primary school which is in Formal Intervention.
There is a need to address the financial deficit in one school.
There is a continuing need to support young people from areas of social deprivation.
There is a need to provide appropriate education pathways for all young people.
Future Needs Analysis - Addressing Viability Issues
7.22 The following analysis and proposals seeks to address identified viability and sustainability issues and to secure the required number of places in each of the 3 subsets. In addition options are provided which seek to address issues across subsets.
Subset A
There is a need to secure 113 additional places.
Subset B
There is a need to secure 19 additional places.
Subset C
Pupil enrolment in one of the schools falls below the 500 minimum threshold for Years 8-12.
There is a need to address underachievement in one of the schools which is also in Formal Intervention.
There is a need to address the financial viability in one of the schools.
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Rationale and Proposals for Future Provision of Post-Primary Education in the Antrim Council Area
7.23 The North Eastern Education and Library Board authorised officers to prioritise the Antrim area and to move ahead of the area plan in order to protect the educational interests of young people. A range of options were formulated with all education sector partners, school principals and Boards of Governors, and were subject to public consultation at local level. 40 responses to consultation on the draft area plan were received: 29 online and 11 written submissions. The key issues emerging from consultation are summarised as follows: • The potential impact on any increased enrolment in Antrim Grammar School to other schools. • The desire that Parkhall Controlled Integrated College continue as an 11-16 school. • The challenges facing Crumlin Controlled Integrated College. While no consensus was reached on any one option, the responses to the consultation reflect the positive working relationship which has developed among the post-primary schools in the area. The recommendation for post-primary provision in Antrim will continue to provide high quality education for all pupils whilst meeting the demands of parental choice. The rationale and proposals for each school in the Antrim Council area are listed in the following pages.
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Antrim BC Area Rationale Proposal – Subset A • Antrim Grammar • No emerging issues from Area Profile Antrim Grammar School will continue to be an 11-19 co-educational school (740 pupils). School • The proposal for Antrim Grammar School reflects the concern reported in consultation that even a small level of growth could impact negatively in Parkhall Controlled Integrated College and the fact that Parkhall has 33 spare places at 2012/13. Antrim BC Area Rationale Proposal – Subset B • St Benedict’s • The enrolment of St Benedicts’ College has declined on a year The Trustees recommend the establishment of College on year basis, (2009/10 – 513 pupils, 2012/13 - 412 pupils). a partnership of three schools: St Louis’ Grammar School (Ballymena), St Patrick’s • The proposal in respect of St Benedict’s College in College (Ballymena) and St Benedict’s Randalstown reflects the work of the Northern Ireland (Randalstown), leading to the creation of one Commission for Catholic Education (NICCE) and the Council 11 -19 Catholic managed post-primary school for Catholic Maintained Schools (CCMS). for the area, with provision being retained in both Ballymena and Randalstown. This proposal will form an integral part of the wider strategic provision for the Ballymena area (1950 pupils). Antrim BC Area Rationale Proposal – Subset C
• • Parkhall No emerging issues from Area Profile Parkhall Controlled Integrated College will Integrated • The proposal for Parkhall Controlled Integrated College continue to be an 11-16 co-educational school College reflects the outcome of consultation which showed a desire to (735 pupils). continue as an 11-16 school.
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• • Crumlin Crumlin Controlled Integrated College entered Formal NEELB is considering future educational Integrated Intervention on 1 February 2010. provision in Crumlin. College • The enrolment in Crumlin Controlled Integrated College has declined on a year on year basis, (2009/10 – 300 pupils, 2012/13 - 169 Pupils). • The budget of Crumlin Controlled Integrated College was 19.39% in deficit at 2011/12. • The proposal in respect of Crumlin Controlled Integrated College, recognises that the college is not meeting the requirements of the DE Sustainable Schools Policy and reflects the strong response from the governors, staff, parents and pupils asking the Board to seek to establish a shared school in the village. It also takes into consideration the large number of pupils who live in Crumlin and travel to other Council areas, particularly catholic pupils who are enrolled in non-selective catholic Maintained schools.
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Chapter 8 Ballymena Council Area
8.1 The estimated population of Ballymena Council area based on the 2011 census figures was 64,044, a 9.27% increase on the 2001 census count of 58,610. There are 8 post-primary schools within the Ballymena Council area: • Controlled Non-Selective Schools • 1 Controlled Grammar School • 2 Voluntary Grammar Schools • 1 Maintained Post-Primary School • 1 Grant Maintained Integrated Post-Primary School Table 39 shows that of the 8 post-primary schools in the Ballymena Council area, two fall below the enrolment threshold of 500 pupils in Years 8-12.
Table 39: Enrolment Threshold – Years 8-12 (2012/13)
Enrolment – Years 8-12 Number of Schools Less than 300 pupils 1
300 – 399 0 400 – 499 1 500+ 6 Total 8
Table 40 shows that of the 7 schools which offer Sixth Form two have enrolment below the minimum threshold of 100. Table 40: Enrolment Threshold – Sixth Form (2012/13)
Enrolment – Sixth Form Number of Schools Less than 40 pupils 0 40 – 59 0 60 – 79 0 80 – 99 2 100+ 5 Total 7
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Non-Selective / Selective Schools
8.2 Table 41 below identifies the non-selective and selective schools within the Ballymena Council area.
Analysis of the total enrolment data shows that 35% of pupils attend non- selective schools, 13% attend a bi-lateral school and 52% attend selective schools in Ballymena Council. The percentage of pupil enrolment can be further analysed as follows:
• Controlled Non-Selective 27%
• Controlled Grammar 15%
• Voluntary Grammar 36%
• Maintained Non-Selective 9%
• Grant Maintained Integrated 1
Table 41: Post-primary Provision 2012/13
Approved Enrolment Enrolment Years 8-12 Enrolment Sixth Form Total Enrolment Unfilled Places (-) / % Unfilled School Number October 12 October 12 October 12 Additional Places (+) Places Subset A - Controlled (Non-Selective) Ballee Community High 525 227 0 227 -298 57% Cullybackey High 700 589 85 674 -26 4% Dunclug College 600 579 124 703 +103 -17% Subset A - Controlled Grammar (Selective) Cambridge House Grammar 1030 737 189 926 -104 10% Subset A - Voluntary Grammar (Selective) Ballymena Academy 1200 889 328 1217 +17 -1% Subset B - Maintained (Non-Selective) St Patrick's College (B'mena) 760 427 86 513 -247 33% Subset B - Voluntary Grammar (Selective) St Louis Grammar 960 709 276 985 +25 -3% Subset C - Grant Maintained Integrated (Bi-Lateral) Slemish Integrated College 720 655 141 796 +76 -11%
Totals 6,495 4,812 1,229 6,041 -454 7% Source: DENI Annual School Census
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Needs Model
8.3 Tables 42 and 43 show the projected need for places across subsets, within the Ballymena Council area.
It is expected that the projected pupil numbers within Years 8–12 will increase steadily from 2015 before levelling off between 2023 and 2025.
Table 42: Projected Pupil Numbers – Years 8-12
Ballymena Post-Primary Need Years 8-12 Council Area Total Subset A Subset B Subset C 2013 4,696 2,999 1,077 620 2014 4,654 2,972 1,067 615 2015 4,633 2,960 1,060 613 2016 4,667 2,986 1,065 616 2017 4,688 2,999 1,070 619 2018 4,736 3,027 1,082 627 2019 4,863 3,110 1,110 643 2020 4,914 3,140 1,123 651 2021 4,957 3,165 1,134 658 2022 5,046 3,222 1,154 670 2023 5,099 3,257 1,166 676 2024 5,094 3,254 1,165 675 2025 5,087 3,250 1,163 674 Source: DENI It is expected that the projected pupil numbers within Sixth Form will increase steadily from 2019.
Table 43: Projected Pupil Numbers – Sixth Form
Ballymena Post-Primary Need Sixth Form Council Area Total Subset A Subset B Subset C 2013 1,325 794 396 135 2014 1,303 777 393 133 2015 1,281 763 389 129 2016 1,285 764 391 130 2017 1,256 749 381 126 2018 1,248 746 378 124 2019 1,238 736 379 123 2020 1,255 745 384 126 2021 1,333 798 402 133 2022 1,340 802 405 133 2023 1,344 801 408 135 2024 1,446 865 433 148 2025 1,516 909 450 157 Source: DENI
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8.4 Tables 44 and 45 show the projected need for pupil places within each subset in 2017 and 2025 as compared to actual need in 2012. In 2017 the Needs Model projects a significant upward trend in the requirement for pupil places.
Table 44: Projected Need (%) 2012 – 2017 – Years 8-12
Enrolment Projected Need % Increase / % Decrease Projected Need % Increase / % Decrease Subset October 2012 2017 from 2012-2017 2025 from 2012-2025 Subset A 3,021 2,999 -1% 3,250 8% Subset B 1,136 1,070 -6% 1,163 2% Subset C 655 619 -5% 674 3% Source: Annual School Census / DENI Table 45: Projected Need (%) 2012 – 2017 – Sixth Form
Enrolment Projected Need % Increase / % Decrease Projected Need % Increase / % Decrease Subset October 2012 2017 from 2012-2017 2025 from 2012-2025 Subset A 726 749 3% 909 25% Subset B 362 381 5% 450 24% Subset C 141 126 -11% 157 11% Source: Annual School Census / DENI Table 46 summarises projected need for pupil places within the Ballymena Council area.
Table 46: Projected Need (Pupil Places) 2012-2025
Sixth Form Years 8-12 & Sixth Form Subset Oct. 2012 2025 +/- Oct. 2012 2025 +/- Subset A 726 909 +183 3,747 4,159 +412 Subset B 362 450 +88 1,498 1,613 +115 Subset C 141 157 +16 796 831 +35 Total 1,229 1,516 +287 6,041 6,603 +562 Source: Annual School Census / DENI
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Enrolment Trends
8.5 Figures 14 shows the decline in actual enrolment to 2012 and projected increase in enrolment from 2016.
Figure 14: Overall Pupil Enrolment Profile - Actual and Projected 2009-2025
Figure 15 shows the enrolment trend for Subset A schools.
Figure 15: Subset A: Pupil Enrolment Profile - Actual and Projected 2009-2025
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Figure 16 shows the enrolment trend for Subset B schools.
Figure 16: Subset B: Pupil Enrolment Profile - Actual and Projected 2009-2025
Figure 17 shows the enrolment trend for Subset C schools.
Figure 17: Subset C: Pupil Enrolment Profile - Actual and Projected 2009-2025
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Unfilled Places/Surplus Capacity
8.6 Table 47 provides an overview of the anticipated unfilled places in 2025 based on the Needs Model and the analysis of enrolment trend.
Table 47: Overview of the Anticipated Unfilled Places in 2025
Table 48 shows that there are a total of 454 unfilled places within the Ballymena Council area. Of the 454 unfilled places, 247 are within the Maintained Non-Selective Sector, 221 are within the Controlled Non-Selective Sector and 104 are within the Controlled Grammar Sector.
221 unfilled places in the Controlled Non-Selective sector are mostly attributable to Ballee Community High School.
Table 48: Post-Primary Pupil Places 2012
Approved Total Enrolment Enrolment Unfilled Places (-) / % Unfilled Subset School Sector Number October 12 Additional Places (+) Places Controlled Grammar 1,030 926 -104 10% Subset A Controlled Non-Selective 1,825 1,604 -221 12% Voluntary Grammar 1,200 1,217 +17 -1% Maintained Non-Selective 760 513 -247 33% Subset B Voluntary Grammar 960 985 +25 -3% Subset C Grant Maintained Integrated 720 796 +76 -11% Totals 6,495 6,041 -454 7%
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Cross Boundary Flows
8.7 Table 49 shows an analysis by subset of the number of pupils moving between Council areas in order to access school preferences. The movement of pupils across Council boundaries has been factored into the planning data for each area to ensure that the data properly reflects the developing need within that area.
Table 49: Flow of Pupils Across Council Boundaries by Subset
8.8 There is a major inflow of pupils from the Ballymena Council area to other Council areas. There is a total outflow of 747 pupils and inflow of 1,541 pupils, which represents a net gain of 794 pupils to the area.
The most significant flow of pupils is in Subsets A and B. In Subset A over 600 pupils come to post-primary schools in Ballymena mainly from Antrim and Ballymoney Council areas. In Subset B the same two Council areas account for over 470 pupils coming into the Ballymena Council area.
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High Level Outcomes of Viability Audit
8.9 All post-primary schools within the Ballymena Council area were subject to a Viability Audit in February 2012. The NEELB has updated this data; area profiles are included in the Appendices. This information will be updated on an annual basis. A summary of the information is as follows.
Quality Educational Experience
8.10 One non-selective post-primary school has less than 40% of pupils achieving 5A*- C GCSE.
One non-selective post-primary schools has less than 25% of pupils achieving 5A*- C GCSE including English and Maths.
There is one post-primary school in Ballymena Council area in Formal Intervention.
Stable Enrolment Trends
8.11 3 post-primary schools in Ballymena Council area currently fall below the enrolment threshold of 500 pupils (Years 8-12), as specified in the Sustainable Schools Policy.
Two of the 7 schools, which have a Sixth Form, fall below the minimum enrolment threshold of 100 pupils.
Sound Financial Position
8.12 3 schools indicate a projected deficit greater than 5% and less than 25% or greater than £75,000 (Level 3)
Two schools are operating within the LMS financial limits (Level 4)
NB. No figures are available for VG or GMI.
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Entitlement Framework
8.13 Tables 50 and 51 provide an analysis of courses available to pupils in post- primary schools in the Ballymena Council area for 2012/2013.
Table 50: Entitlement Framework Provision 2012-2013
Sector Number Number Total Number Number Total General Applied Courses General Applied Courses Courses Courses Year 11 Courses Courses Year 13 Year 11 Year 11 Year 13 Year 13 Subset A Ballee Comm. HS 8 15 23 - - - Ballymena Academy 17 9 26 15 9 24 Cambridge House GS 18 14 32 13 12 25 Cullybackey HS 10 16 26 7 12 19 Dunclug College 8 24 32 6 17 23 Subset B St Louis’ GS 11 8 19 14 12 26 St Patrick’s College 11 18 29 10 16 26 Subset C Slemish College 10 15 25 12 16 28
Table 51: Entitlement Framework Variances (2012-2013)
Sector 12/13 12/13 12/13 12/13 Variance KS4 Variance Variance KS4 Variance from 2013 Post-16 from from 2015 Post-16 2015 Target 2013 Target Target Target Subset A Ballee Comm. HS +5 - -1 - Ballymena +8 +3 +2 -3 Academy Cambridge House +14 +4 +8 -2 GS Cullybackey HS +8 -2 +2 -8 Dunclug College +14 +2 +8 -4 Subset B St Louis’ GS +1 +5 -5 -1 St Patrick’s College +11 +5 +5 -1 Subset C Slemish College +7 +7 +1 +1
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First Preferences
8.14 Table 52 shows the first preference applications for admissions for the 3 year period from 2011/12 to 2013/14, as compared with the approved admissions number.
The figures indicate that Ballymena Academy (selective), St Louis’ GS (selective) and Slemish Integrated College (bi-lateral) and Dunclug College (non-selective) have been over-subscribed whereas the remaining schools have been under-subscribed over this 3 year period.
Table 52: First Preference Applications
3 Year School Approved First Preference Applications Variance Average Type Admissions School Number 11/12 12/13 13/14 11/12 12/13 13/14 Variance
Cambridge House Grammar CG 140 146 90 107 6 -50 -33 -26 Ballee Community High C 100 22 18 7 -78 -82 -93 -84 Cullybackey High C 130 70 62 65 -60 -68 -65 -64 Dunclug College C 110 90 122 117 -20 12 7 0 Ballymena Academy VG 176 194 232 206 18 56 30 35 St Patrick's College (B'mena) M 150 57 46 49 -93 -104 -101 -99 St Louis Grammar VG 139 137 195 155 -2 56 16 23 Slemish Integrated College GMI 120 190 187 161 70 67 41 59 Summary of the Area Profile
8.15 Pupil enrolment in 3 of the schools falls below the 500 minimum threshold for Years 8-12
7 schools offer Sixth Form provision, two of whom fall below the 100 pupil minimum enrolment threshold.
It will be a challenge for 3 schools to meet the requirements of the Entitlement Framework at Post – 16.
There is significant spare capacity in one non-selective post-primary school.
There is an issue of underachievement in one post-primary school which is in Formal Intervention.
There is the need to address the financial deficit in 3 schools.
There is a continuing need to support young people from areas of social deprivation.
There is a need to provide appropriate education pathways for all young people.
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Future Needs Analysis
Addressing Viability Issues
8.16 The following analysis and proposals seeks to address identified viability and sustainability issues and to secure the required number of places in each of the 3 subsets. In addition options are provided which seek to address issues across subsets.
Subset A
There is a need to increase the number of places by 104.
Pupil enrolment in 1 of the schools falls below the 500 minimum enrolment threshold for Years 8-12.
One of the schools, which has Sixth Form provision, falls below the minimum enrolment threshold of 100 pupils.
There is a need to address underachievement in one school, which is also in Formal Intervention.
There is a need to address the financial viability in two of the schools.
There is a need to address challenges in meeting the Entitlement Framework at Sixth Form in 2 schools.
Subset B
There is a need to reduce the number of places by 107.
Pupil enrolment in 1 of the schools falls below the 500 minimum enrolment threshold for Years 8-12.
One of the schools which has Sixth Form provision fall below the minimum enrolment threshold of 100 pupils.
There is a need to address the financial viability in one school.
There is a need to address challenges in meeting the Entitlement Framework at Sixth Form in two schools.
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Rationale and Proposals for Future Provision of Post-Primary Education in the Ballymena Council area 8.19 The proposals for the Ballymena Council area, in combination, reflect the predicted number of places required, as indicated by the Needs Model and migration figures, with the places distributed to meet the predicted needs across all sections. The North Eastern Education and Library Board authorised officers to prioritise this area and to move ahead of the area plan in order to protect the educational interests of young people. A range of options were formulated with all education sector partners, school principals and Boards of Governors, and were subject to public consultation at local level. 14,218 responses to consultation on the draft area plan were received: 580 online, 226 written submissions and 13,412 petitions from 3 schools. The key issues emerging from consultation are summarised as follows: • Difficulties caused by the current pattern of enrolment • Equality of access to grammar school provision • The demand for places at Slemish College • The rurality of Cullybackey High School • The current over provision of school places • School performance issues • Enrolment at Ballee Community High School and the issue of parental choice • Education provision for south Ballymena • The demand for places at Ballymena Academy
The response to the consultation in Ballymena was the largest throughout the Board’s area, and included a large number of petitions submitted by 3 schools.
The proposals for post-primary education provision will aim to secure high quality education for all pupils in the area whilst meeting the demand for parental choice. The rationale and proposals for each school in the Ballymena Council area are listed in the following pages.
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Ballymena Rationale Proposal Council area – Subset A • Ballymena • One of the key issues emerging from the consultation is the Ballymena Academy will continue as an 11-19 Academy demand for places at Ballymena Academy. Grammar School with its enrolment increasing initially to a maximum enrolment of • The proposal for Ballymena Academy recognises the parental 1230 pupils from 2014 extending in stages to desire for places in this school and takes account of the relevant a maximum enrolment of 1424 pupils by the proportions of the predicted population growth for which the type year 2025. of education provided in this school would be an appropriate pathway. • Cambridge • Cambridge House Grammar School entered Formal Intervention Cambridge House Grammar School will House on 3 June 2011. Following an ETI inspection in October 2012 continue as a controlled grammar school with a phased reduction in the enrolment number the school exited the Formal Intervention process on 22 March 2013. to 800 and an amended admission number of 120. This will be followed by a period of • The budget of Cambridge House Grammar School was 6.53% in phased growth to 900 by 2025. It is deficit at 2011/12. anticipated such growth will begin in 2019. • The 6th form enrolment, while increasing year on year, has been
below the threshold of 100 for the past 4 years.
The proposal for Cambridge House Grammar School reflects the following: • The current and agreed projected 3 year financial deficit in the
school. • The rejection in consultation of a merger with Ballymena
Academy to create a single grammar school on the Galgorm Road.
• The responses to consultation which sought for the continuance
of Grammar School provision, particularly in respect of it
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accessibility, in financial terms, to pupils from socially deprived backgrounds. • The academic profile of pupils entering the school in recent years which has seen a trend of lower scores in the AQE test being given places and the subsequent effect on non-selective schools in a time of downward population trends. • The potential impact of the current surplus capacity in the school. • The impact on other schools of the school filling to capacity at Year 8. • The objective of increasing choice for pupils in South Ballymena, particularly should the proposal to close Ballee Community High School be approved. • Cullybackey • One of the key issues emerging from consultation is the rurality Cullybackey High School will continue as an College of Cullybackey College. 11-19 school with a maximum enrolment of 700 pupils in the year 2014 extending in • The proposal for Cullybackey College reflects the outcome of stages to a maximum enrolment of 900 pupils consultation which made a case for the retention of this school by the year 2025. as an 11-19 school mainly serving a rural based community. • Dunclug • The proposal for Dunclug College reflects the popularity and Dunclug College will continue as an 11-19 College performance of the college, as indicated in the responses to school with a maximum enrolment of 840 in consultation, and the increasing demand for places. the year 2014 extending in stages to a maximum enrolment of 935 pupils by the year 2025. • Ballee Community High School will be Ballee • Ballee Community High School has been in Formal Intervention considered for closure from 31 August 2014. Community since 4 March 2010.
High School • The enrolment in Ballee Community High School has declined on a year on year basis, (2009/10 – 310 pupils, 2012/13 – 227 pupils)
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• A key issue emerging from consultation is the enrolment and parental choice. • The proposal to close Ballee Community High School reflects recognition from the Board of Governors, as indicated in response to the consultation, that the performance issues, the declining enrolment and the subsequent impact on school finances would be extremely challenging in terms of having a viable, sustainable school which should meet the full range of curricular requirements.
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Ballymena Rationale Proposal Council area – Subset B • St Louis • The proposals in respect of St Louis Grammar School, The Trustees recommend a partnership of three Grammar St Patrick's College and St Benedict’s College schools: St Louis’ Grammar School, St Patrick’s (Randalstown) reflect the work of the Catholic College and St Benedict’s (Randalstown), leading to St Patrick’s the creation of one 11 -19 Catholic Maintained post- College Commission for Post-Primary Education and the Catholic Council for Maintained schools desire to primary school for the area with provision in both establish a partnership between the three schools Ballymena and Randalstown. This proposal will form leading to the creation of one managed post-primary an integral part of the wider strategic provision for the Ballymena area. school for the area. Ballymena Rationale Proposal Council area – Subset C Slemish College • One of the key issues emerging from consultation is • Slemish College will continue as an 11-19 school the demand for places at Slemish College. with initial growth to an enrolment of 800 pupils from The proposal for Slemish College reflects the high level the year 2014, extending in stages to a maximum of over-subscription for places in the College in recent enrolment of 880 by the year 2025. years and hence parental preference. This was reflected in the consultation responses which indicated that parents were seeking places because of the school’s successful performance.
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Chapter 9 Magherafelt Council Area
9.1 The estimated population of Magherafelt Council area based on the 2011 census figures was 45,038, a 13.22% increase on the 2001 census count of 39,780. There are 8 post-primary schools with the Magherafelt Council area: • 1 Controlled Post-Primary School • 2 Voluntary Grammar Schools • Maintained Post-Primary School • 1 Grant Maintained Integrated Post-Primary School Table 53 shows that of the 8 post-primary schools in the Magherafelt Council area, 4 fall below the minimum enrolment threshold of 500 pupils in Years 8- 12. It is important to note that in two of these schools the enrolment number set by the Department of Education does not allow the school to achieve this threshold.
Table 53: Enrolment Threshold – Years 8-12 (2012/13) Enrolment – Years 8-12 Number of Schools Less than 300 pupils 1 300 – 399 1 400 – 499 2 500+ 4 Total 8
All 8 schools offer Sixth Form provision. However 4 of these schools have enrolment below the minimum threshold of 100, as shown in Table 54.
Table 54: Enrolment Threshold – Sixth Form (2012/13) Enrolment – Sixth Form Number of Schools Less than 40 pupils 0 40 – 59 0 60 – 79 2 80 – 99 2 100+ 4 Total 8
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Non-Selective / Selective Schools
9.2 Table 55 identifies the non-selective and selective schools within the Magherafelt Council area.
Analysis of the total enrolment data shows that 47% of pupils attend non- selective schools, 22% attend a bi-lateral school and 31% attend selective schools in Magherafelt Council area. The percentage of pupil enrolment can be further analysed as follows:
• Controlled Non-Selective 10%
• Voluntary Grammar 31%
• Maintained Non-Selective 51%
• Grant Maintained Integrated 8%
Table 55: Post-Primary Provision 2012/13
Approved Enrolment Enrolment Years 8-12 Enrolment Sixth Form Total Enrolment Unfilled Places (-) / % Unfilled School Number October 12 October 12 October 12 Additional Places (+) Places Subset A - Controlled (Non-Selective) Magherafelt High 600 480 82 562 -38 6% Subset A - Voluntary Grammar (Selective) Rainey Endowed 700 510 211 721 +21 -3% Subset B - Maintained (Non-Selective) St Colm's High 340 362 80 442 +102 -30% St Mary's College 350 272 69 341 -9 3% St Pius X High 850 770 169 939 +89 -10% Subset B - Maintained (Bi-Lateral) St Patrick's College (Maghera) 1,355 937 334 1,271 -84 6% Subset B - Voluntary Grammar (Selective) St Mary's Convent 1,070 787 299 1,086 +16 -1% Subset C - Grant Maintained Integrated (Non-Selective) Sperrin Integrated College 500 415 77 492 -8 2%
Totals 5,765 4,533 1,321 5,854 +89 -2% Source: DENI Annual School Census
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Needs Model
9.3 Table 56 shows the projected need for places across subsets, within the Magherafelt Council area.
It is expected that the projected pupil numbers within Years 8–12 will increase steadily from 2016 before levelling off between 2023 and 2025.
Table 56: Projected Pupil Numbers – Years 8-12
Magherafelt Post-Primary Need Years 8-12 Council Area Total Subset A Subset B Subset C 2013 4,442 986 3,054 402 2014 4,356 966 2,995 395 2015 4,323 961 2,968 394 2016 4,307 957 2,957 393 2017 4,320 960 2,966 394 2018 4,422 985 3,035 402 2019 4,561 1,017 3,129 415 2020 4,689 1,048 3,216 425 2021 4,802 1,075 3,292 435 2022 4,930 1,105 3,378 447 2023 5,005 1,123 3,429 453 2024 4,999 1,121 3,425 453 2025 4,993 1,120 3,421 452 Source: DENI It is expected that the projected pupil numbers within Sixth Form will increase steadily from 2019, as shown in Table 57.
Table 57: Projected Pupil Numbers – Sixth Form
Magherafelt Post-Primary Need Sixth Form Council Area Total Subset A Subset B Subset C 2013 1,361 298 972 91 2014 1,378 302 983 93 2015 1,386 303 990 93 2016 1,366 298 975 93 2017 1,332 293 949 90 2018 1,274 279 909 86 2019 1,267 277 905 85 2020 1,307 287 932 88 2021 1,345 295 959 91 2022 1,350 297 964 89 2023 1,406 310 1,002 94 2024 1,506 333 1,071 102 2025 1,571 347 1,116 108 Source: DENI
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9.4 The following tables show the projected need for pupil places within each subset in 2017 and 2025 as compared to actual need in 2012.
In 2017 the Needs Model projects a significant upward trend in the requirement for pupil places.
Table 58: Projected Need (%) 2012 – 2017 – Years 8-12
Enrolment Projected Need % Increase / % Decrease Projected Need % Increase / % Decrease Subset October 2012 2017 from 2012-2017 2025 from 2012-2025 Subset A 990 960 -3% 1,120 13% Subset B 3,128 2,966 -5% 3,421 9% Subset C 415 394 -5% 452 9% Source: Annual School Census / DENI Table 59: Projected Need (%) 2012 – 2017 – Sixth Form
Enrolment Projected Need % Increase / % Decrease Projected Need % Increase / % Decrease Subset October 2012 2017 from 2012-2017 2025 from 2012-2025 Subset A 293 293 0% 347 18% Subset B 951 949 0% 1,116 17% Subset C 77 90 17% 108 40% Source: Annual School Census / DENI
Table 60 shows projected need for pupil places within the Magherafelt Council area.
Table 60: Projected Need (Pupil Places) 2012-2025
Sixth Form Years 8-12 & Sixth Form Subset Oct. 2012 2025 +/- Oct. 2012 2025 +/- Subset A 293 347 +54 1,283 1,467 +184 Subset B 951 1,116 +165 4,079 4,537 +458 Subset C 77 108 +31 492 560 +68 Total 1,321 1,571 +250 5,854 6,564 +710 Source: Annual School Census / DENI
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Enrolment Trends
9.5 Figure 18 shows the increase in actual enrolment to 2012 and projected increase in projected enrolment from 2017.
Figure 18: Overall Pupil Enrolment Profile – Actual and Projected 2009-2025
Figure 19 shows the enrolment trend for Subset A schools.
Figure 19: Subset A: Pupil Enrolment Profile - Actual and Projected 2009-2025
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Figure 20 shows the enrolment trend for Subset B schools.
Figure 20: Subset B: Pupil Enrolment Profile - Actual and Projected 2009-2025
Figure 21 shows the enrolment trend for Subset C schools.
Figure 21: Subset C: Pupil Enrolment Profile - Actual and Projected 2009-2025
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Unfilled Places/Surplus Capacity
9.6 Table 61 provides an overview of the anticipated unfilled places in 2025, based on the Needs Model and an analysis of enrolment trend.
Table 61: Overview of the Anticipated Unfilled Places in 2025
2025 Projected Approved Enrolment 2025 Unfilled Places (-) / Subset Number Total Projected Need Additional Places (+) Subset A 1,300 1,467 +167 Subset B 3,965 4,537 +572 Subset C 500 560 +60 TOTAL 5,765 6,564 +799 Table 62 shows that there is a need for an additional 89 places within the Magherafelt Council area. The majority of the need is within the Maintained Sector.
All sectors are operating either beyond or very close to their capacity at present.
Table 62: Post-primary Pupil Places 2012
Approved Total Enrolment Enrolment Unfilled Places (-) / % Unfilled Subset School Sector Number October 12 Additional Places (+) Places Controlled Non-Selective 600 562 -38 6% Subset A Voluntary Grammar 700 721 +21 -3% Maintained Non-Selective 2,895 2,993 +98 -3% Subset B Voluntary Grammar 1,070 1,086 +16 -1% Subset C Grant Maintained Integrated 500 492 -8 2% Totals 5,765 5,854 +89 -2%
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Cross Boundary Flows
9.7 Table 63 details the number of pupils moving between Council areas in order to access school preferences. The movement of pupils across Council boundaries has been factored into the planning data for each area to ensure that the data properly reflects the developing need within that area.
An analysis by subset is as follows:
Table 63: Flow of Pupils Across Council Boundaries by Subset
Subset A Ballymena 28 Pupils Cookstown 185 Pupils Coleraine 20 Pupils Antrim 43 Pupils Cookstown 16 Pupils Coleraine 19 Pupils Others 4 Pupils Ballymena 10 Pupils Others 1 Pupil Total Outflow 68 Pupils Total Inflow 258 Pupils Subset B Coleraine 79 Pupils Cookstown 677 Pupils Cookstown 11 Pupils Antrim 291 Pupils Others 5 Pupils Limavady 238 Pupils Ballymena 120 Pupils Coleraine 111 Pupils Ballymoney 40 Pupils Strabane 14 Pupils Others 13 Pupils Total Outflow 95 Pupils Total Inflow 1,504 Pupils Subset B Ballymena 5 Pupils Antrim 158 Pupils Cookstown 92 Pupils Others 14 Pupils
Total Outflow 5 Pupils Total Inflow 264 Pupils Source: DENI Needs Model There is a major inflow of pupils to the Magherafelt Council area from other Council areas. There is a total outflow of 168 pupils and inflow of 2,026 pupils which represents a net gain of 1,858 pupils to the area.
The most significant flow of pupils is in Subset B where over 1,500 pupils move to post-primary schools in Magherafelt mainly from the Cookstown, Antrim and Limavady Council areas.
Subsets A and C have broadly similar flows with the majority of pupils coming into the area from the Antrim and Cookstown Council areas.
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High Level Outcomes of Viability Audit
9.8 All post-primary schools within the Magherafelt Council area were subject to a Viability Audit in February 2012. The NEELB has updated this data; area profiles are attached in The Appendices. This information will be updated on an annual basis. A summary of the information is as follows:
Quality Educational Experience
9.9 None of the non-selective post-primary schools have less than 40% of pupils achieving 5A*- C GCSE.
None of the non-selective post-primary schools have less than 25% of pupils achieving 5A*- C GCSE including English and Maths.
There are no post-primary schools in the Magherafelt Council area in Formal Intervention.
Stable Enrolment Trends
9.10 The enrolment in 4 post-primary schools in the Magherafelt Council area currently fall below the minimum threshold of 500 pupils (Years 8-12), as specified in the Sustainable Schools Policy.
4 of the 8 schools which have a Sixth Form, have enrolments which fall below the minimum threshold of 100 pupils.
Sound Financial Position
9.11 All schools are operating within the LMS financial limits (Level 4)
NB. No figures available for VG or GMI.
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Entitlement Framework
9.12 Table 64 and 65 shows a breakdown of courses available to pupils in post- primary schools in Magherafelt Council area for 2012/2013.
Table 64: Entitlement Framework Provision 2012-2013
Sector Number Number Total Number Number Total General Applied Courses General Applied Courses Courses Courses Year 11 Courses Courses Year 13 Year 11 Year 11 Year 13 Year 13 Subset A Magherafelt HS 9 16 25 12 11 23 Rainey Endowed 14 7 21 14 13 27 Subset B St Colm’s HS 10 18 28 11 11 22 St Mary’s College 10 16 26 5 10 15 St Mary’s GS 12 8 20 15 11 26 St Patrick’s College 17 16 33 16 15 31 St Pius X College 12 18 30 13 13 26 Subset C Sperrin Int. College 9 12 21 7 9 16
Table 65: Entitlement Framework Variances (2012-2013)
Sector 12/13 Variance 12/13 Variance 12/13 Variance 12/13 Variance KS4 from 2013 Post-16 from KS4 from 2015 Post-16 2015 Target 2013 Target Target Target Subset A Magherafelt HS +7 +2 +1 -4 Rainey Endowed +3 +6 -3 - Subset B St Colm’s HS +10 +1 +4 -5 St Mary’s College +8 -6 +2 -12 St Mary’s GS +2 +5 -4 -1 St Patrick’s College +15 +10 - - St Pius X College +12 +5 +6 -1 Subset C Sperrin Int. College +3 -5 -3 -11
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First Preferences
9.13 Table 66 shows the first preference applications for admissions for the 3 year period 2011/12 to 2013/14 compared with the approved admissions number.
The figures indicate that Rainey Endowed School (selective), St Mary’s Convent Grammar School (selective) and St Colm’s High School (non- selective) have been consistently over-subscribed in each year.
Table 66: First Preference Applications
3 Year School Approved First Preference Applications Variance Average Type Admissions School Number 11/12 12/13 13/14 11/12 12/13 13/14 Variance
Magherafelt High C 100 81 83 85 -19 -17 -15 -17 Rainey Endowed VG 100 116 114 134 16 14 34 21 St Colm's High M 68 82 69 70 14 1 2 6 St Mary's College M 70 45 38 35 -25 -32 -35 -31 St Patrick's College (Maghera) M 190 191 165 193 1 -25 3 -7 St Pius X High M 140 128 136 136 -12 -4 -4 -7 St Mary's Convent VG 153 176 156 185 23 3 32 19 Sperrin Integrated College GMI 80 78 63 67 -2 -17 -13 -11 Summary of the Area Profile
9.14 Pupil enrolment in 4 schools fall below the 500 minimum threshold for Years 8-12
Sixth Form enrolment in 4 schools falls below the minimum threshold.
It will be a challenge for some schools to meet the requirements of the Entitlement Framework at post 16.
The schools are operating within financial limits.
There is a continuing need to support young people from areas of social deprivation.
There is a need to provide appropriate education pathways for all young people.
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Future Needs Analysis - Addressing Viability Issues
9.15 The following analysis and proposals seeks to address identified viability and sustainability issues and to secure the required number of places in each of the 3 subsets. In addition options are provided which seek to address issues across subsets.
Subset A There is a need to secure 167 additional places.
There is a need to address the challenges in meeting the Entitlement Framework at Sixth Form in one school.
Subset B There is a need to secure 572 additional places.
There is a need to address the challenges in meeting the Entitlement Framework at Sixth Form in 3 schools.
Subset C There is a need to address the challenges in meeting the Entitlement Framework at Sixth Form in one school.
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Rationale and Proposals for Future Provision of Post-Primary Education in the Magherafelt Council area
9.19 The proposals for the Magherafelt Council area reflect the number of post- primary places predicted to be required and takes full account of the migration in to and out of the Council area. The proposals also reflect the cross boundary interface with the Southern Education and Library Board.
The Magherafelt Council area is predicted to have the most significant growth in terms of the need for additional post-primary school places. While this affects all sectors it is recognised that the largest growth will impact upon the Catholic Maintained sector. The proposals for the individual schools reflect: • The responses to the consultation • The sectoral population trends • The need to provide the range of sectoral choice • Parental views as expressed in the consultation responses • The work of the Catholic Commission for Post-Primary Education and the Catholic Council for Maintained Schools • The Needs Model and migration statistics 2,123 responses to consultation on the draft area plan were received - 1854 online, 175 hard copy submissions, and 94 written submissions. The key issues emerging from consultation are summarised as follows: • Significant population growth predicted • Consultation indicated strong support for non-denominational Grammar School provision • Support for 11-19 provision in the non-grammar sector • Support for the maintenance of the Grant Maintained Integrated provision
The rationale and proposals for each school in the Magherafelt Council area are listed in the following pages.
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Magherafelt Rationale Proposal Council area – Subset A Magherafelt • One of the key issues emerging from the • Magherafelt High School to continue as an 11-19 school (750 pupils by High School consultation is significant population 2025). growth as predicted and support for 11- 19 provision in the non-grammar sector. • The 6th form enrolment of Magherafelt High School, while increasing year on year, has been below the threshold of 100 for the past 3 years. • The budget of Magherafelt High School was 6.09% in deficit in 2011/12. Rainey • One of the key issues emerging from the • Rainey Endowed to continue as an 11-19 school (863 pupils by 2025) Endowed consultation is the strong support for non- denominational grammar school provision Magherafelt Rationale Proposal Council area – Subset B St Mary’s • The Trustees propose that St. Mary’s Grammar School and St. Pius X Grammar College will jointly collaborate in a three year development plan for 2013 – 2016 that would build further effective and efficient links in the areas of St Pius’ X curriculum, staffing, pastoral care, resources and funding, the College implementation of further efficiencies and other joint issues contingent to the development of high quality post-primary education fit for all the young people in the Magherafelt area, so that they can develop their full
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uniqueness and potential. In 2016 this work will be subject to a full review by the trustees, principals, and governors with a view to the implementation of an agreed solution in the Magherafelt area (1800-1900 pupils).
Magherafelt Rationale Proposal Council area – Subset C • Sperrin Integrated College to continue as an 11-19 school (660 pupils Sperrin • One of the key issues emerging is the by 2015). Integrated support for the maintenance of the grant
College Maintained integrated provision. • The enrolment of Sperrin Integrated College while showing a small year on year increase, has been below the year 8 to 12 enrolment threshold of 500 and the 6th Form enrolment threshold of 100 for the past 3 years. • The 6th Form enrolment of Sperrin Integrated College has been below the enrolment threshold of 100 for the past 3 years • Future capital planning for Catholic Maintained post-primary provision St Mary’s • One of the key issues emerging is the should be based on a three school model located in (i) Clady/Kilrea (ii) College, support for 11-19 provision in the non- Draperstown and (iii) Maghera. The Trustees request that CCMS begin Clady grammar sector. the process leading to consultation on the proposed amalgamation of St • CCMS will conduct a review of alternative Mary’s College (Clady) and St Paul’s College (Kilrea) by December models for efficient and sustainable post- 2013 with the amalgamation planned for September 2015, or as soon as 16 provision for the South Derry area,
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taking into account proposed possible thereafter, with the new college operating on the existing two developments and the potential sites. (2,300 pupils in total). contribution of adjoining areas in particular Magherafelt, and the North Derry/Glendermott area. • The enrolment of St Mary’s College has been below the year 8 to 12 threshold of 500 and the 6th Form threshold of 100 for the past 3 years. • The enrolment of St Colm’s High School has been below the year 8 to 12 threshold of 500 and the 6th Form threshold of 100 for the past 3 years.
Irish Medium • The Board has noted that a Development Post- Proposal for the development of provision Primary for Irish Medium Post-primary Education in Maghera was published in February 2012 but subsequently withdrawn in April 2013.
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Chapter 10 NEELB Northern Area Overview
General Context 10.1 The Northern area of the North Eastern Education and Library Board encompasses the local Council areas of Coleraine, Ballymoney and Moyle. Post-primary education provision is predominantly clustered in the larger towns of Coleraine, Ballymoney and Ballycastle with provision also located in the smaller towns of Garvagh, Kilrea, Portstewart, and Bushmills. It is acknowledged that pupils also travel across Council and Education and Library Board boundaries to access post-primary provision.
Figure 22: Map showing Post-Primary Schools within the NEELB Northern Area
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Social Context 10.2 Table 67 indicates the Super Output Areas in which the post-primary schools are located. While a number of post-primary schools are located in areas with varying degrees of social, economic and education deprivation, the enrolments will be drawn from a wider catchment area. In planning local post-primary provision it will be important for the Board to consider the needs of local communities in addition to the specific educational requirements of schools themselves. In line with the Sustainable Schools Policy a number of schools located in areas of educational deprivation are currently well placed to meet the needs and aspirations of local communities.
Table 67: Northern Schools’ Locations within Super Output Areas
Management School Name Council Super Output Areas NIMDM % Type area lowest = Education most Deprivation deprived lowest = most deprived
C Dunluce School Moyle Ballylough & Bushmills 24 16
GMI North Coast Int College Coleraine Ballysally 2 41 21
C Ballymoney High School Ballymoney Fairhill 42 33
M Cross & Passion College Moyle Glentaisie & Kinbane 26 40
VG Dominican College Coleraine Portstewart 34 40
C Garvagh High School Coleraine Garvagh 39 42
M St Paul's College Coleraine Kilrea 46 53
M Our Lady of Lourdes High Ballymoney Route 35 60 School
VG Dalriada School Ballymoney Route 35 60
CG Coleraine High School Coleraine Mount Sandel 72 68
C Ballycastle High School Moyle Bonamargy Rathlin & 47 82 Glenshesk
M St Joseph's College Coleraine Mount Sandel 72 86
C Coleraine College Coleraine Waterside 88 86
VG Coleraine Acad. Inst. Coleraine Waterside 88 86
VG Loreto College Coleraine Waterside 88 86
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Current Provision in the Northern Area 10.3 In the 2012-2013 academic year 7,583 pupils attended 15 post-primary schools in the Northern area of the Board (Source DENI N.I. School Census). 3,822 pupils attended 10 non-selective post-primary schools – 5 controlled, 4 Maintained and 1 grant-Maintained integrated; 3,761 pupils attended 5 selective post-primary schools – 1 controlled and 4 voluntary Table 68 shows the enrolments over the past 7 years from 2006/07 to 2012/13 in each of the post-primary schools in the Northern area. The existing number of unfilled places is also shown together with the occupancy rate. The enrolment trends being experienced in some non-selective post-primary schools present the challenge of remaining educationally viable and avoid the inefficiencies arising from an excessive number of unfilled places.
Table 68: Northern Area Post-Primary School Enrolments 2006 – 2013
School Approved Unfilled School Type 06/07 07/08 08/09 09/10 10/11 11/12 12/13 Enrolment Places
Ballymoney High CS 690 674 674 626 627 611 633 670 37 Coleraine College CS 439 367 334 280 275 223 218 600 382 Garvagh CS 165 153 148 141 120 93 26 350 324 Ballycastle CS 336 337 341 345 365 359 375 460 85 Dunluce CS 489 476 500 482 488 499 468 550 82 Coleraine High CG 806 799 797 792 813 803 813 800 0 Dalriada VG 847 854 851 840 849 858 862 815 0 Coleraine Acad Inst VG 650 651 673 711 760 778 775 870 95
Our Lady of Lourdes High MS 176 181 187 190 188 200 196 400 204 St Joseph's High MS 365 341 350 348 362 350 351 490 139 St Paul's College MS 288 277 309 308 328 317 317 270 0 Cross & Passion College MS 732 736 751 749 770 766 775 720 0 Dominican College VG 483 478 472 484 491 500 503 480 0 Loreto College VG 781 782 790 792 796 798 808 800 0
North Coast GMI 522 503 478 475 494 454 463 500 37
St Aloysius' High MS 94 67 53 0 0 0 0 Amalgamated 0
Totals 7,863 7,676 7,708 7,563 7,726 7,609 7,583 8,775 1,192 Source: DENI Annual School Census
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Chapter 11 Ballymoney Council Area
11.1 The estimated population of Ballymoney Council area based on the 2011 census figures was 31,224, a 16.10% increase on the 2001 census count of 26,894. There are 3 post-primary schools with the Ballymoney Council area: • 1 Controlled Post-Primary School • 1 Voluntary Grammar School • 1 Maintained Post-Primary School Table 69 shows the enrolments of the 3 post-primary schools in the Ballymoney Council area, one of which falls below the enrolment threshold of 500 pupils in Years 8-12.
Table 69: Enrolment Threshold – Years 8-12 (2012/13) Enrolment – Years 8-12 Number of Schools Less than 300 pupils 1 300 – 399 0 400 – 499 0 500+ 2 Total 3
Table 70 shows that the school which offers Sixth Form has an enrolment above the minimum threshold of 100. Table 70: Enrolment Threshold – Sixth Form (2012/13) Enrolment – Sixth Form Number of Schools Less than 40 pupils 0 40 – 59 0 60 – 79 0 80 – 99 0 100+ 1 Total 1
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Non-Selective / Selective Schools
11.2 Table 71 below shows the non-selective and selective schools within the Ballymoney Council area.
Analysis of the total enrolment data shows that 49% of pupils attend non- selective schools and 51% attend selective schools in Ballymoney Council area. The percentage of pupil enrolment is further analysed as follows:
• Controlled Non-Selective 37%
• Voluntary Grammar 51%;
• Maintained Non-Selective 12%;
Table 71: Post-primary Provision 2012/23
Approved Enrolment Enrolment Years 8-12 Enrolment Sixth Form Total Enrolment Unfilled Places (-) / % Unfilled School Number October 12 October 12 October 12 Additional Places (+) Places Subset A - Controlled (Non-Selective) Ballymoney High 670 633 0 633 -37 6% Subset A - Voluntary Grammar (Selective) Dalriada 815 632 230 862 +47 -6% Subset B - Maintained (Non-Selective) Our Lady of Lourdes High 400 196 0 196 -204 51%
Totals 1,885 1,461 230 1,691 -194 10% Source: DENI Annual School Census
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Needs Model
11.3 Table 72 shows the projected need for places across subsets, within the Ballymoney Council area
It is expected that the projected pupil numbers within Years 8–12 will increase steadily from 2016 before levelling off between 2023 and 2025.
Table 72: Projected Pupil Numbers – Years 8-12
Ballymoney Post-Primary Need Years 8-12 Council Area Total Subset A Subset B Subset C 2013 1,459 1,231 228 0 2014 1,433 1,208 225 0 2015 1,384 1,166 218 0 2016 1,372 1,156 216 0 2017 1,381 1,163 218 0 2018 1,391 1,171 220 0 2019 1,417 1,194 223 0 2020 1,444 1,216 228 0 2021 1,453 1,223 230 0 2022 1,468 1,235 233 0 2023 1,481 1,245 236 0 2024 1,479 1,244 235 0 2025 1,477 1,242 235 0 Source: DENI Table 73 shows that the projected pupil numbers within Sixth Form will vary between a low of 231 and a high of 299 between 2013 and 2025.
Table 73: Projected Pupil Numbers – Sixth Form
Ballymoney Post-Primary Need Sixth Form Council Area Total Subset A Subset B Subset C 2013 250 246 4 0 2014 277 269 8 0 2015 299 287 12 0 2016 295 283 12 0 2017 254 248 6 0 2018 231 228 3 0 2019 241 236 5 0 2020 240 237 3 0 2021 246 242 4 0 2022 253 248 5 0 2023 246 243 3 0 2024 275 267 8 0 2025 293 283 10 0 Source: DENI 97
11.4 Tables 74 and 75 show the projected need for pupil places within each subset in 2017 and 2025 as compared to actual need in 2012. In 2017 the Needs Model projects a significant upward trend in the requirement for pupil places.
Table 74: Projected Need (%) 2012 – 2017 – Years 8-12
Enrolment Projected Need % Increase / % Decrease Projected Need % Increase / % Decrease Subset October 2012 2017 from 2012-2017 2025 from 2012-2025 Subset A 1,265 1,163 -8% 1,242 -2% Subset B 196 218 11% 235 20% Subset C 0 0 n/a 0 n/a Source: Annual School Census / DENI Table 75: Projected Need (%) 2012 – 2017 – Sixth Form
Enrolment Projected Need % Increase / % Decrease Projected Need % Increase / % Decrease Subset October 2012 2017 from 2012-2017 2025 from 2012-2025 Subset A 230 248 8% 283 23% Subset B 0 6 n/a 10 n/a Subset C 0 0 n/a 0 n/a Source: Annual School Census / DENI
Table 76 shows the projected need for pupil places within the Ballymoney Council area.
Table 76: Projected Need (Pupil Places) 2012-2025
Sixth Form Years 8-12 & Sixth Form Subset Oct. 2012 2025 +/- Oct. 2012 2025 +/- Subset A 230 283 +53 1,495 1,525 +30 Subset B 0 10 +10 196 245 +49 Subset C 0 0 +0 0 0 +0 Total 230 293 +63 1,691 1,770 +79 Source: Annual School Census / DENI
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Enrolment Trends
11.5 Figure 23 shows the increase in actual enrolment to 2012 and projected increase in enrolment from 2018.
Figure 23: Overall Pupil Enrolment Profile – Actual and Projected 2009-2025
Figure 24 shows the enrolment trend for Subset A schools.
Figure 24: Subset A - Pupil Enrolment Profile – Actual and Projected 2009-2025
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Figure 25 shows the enrolment trend for Subset B schools.
Figure 25:Subset B - Pupil Enrolment Profile – Actual and Projected 2009-2025
There are no Subset C schools in the Ballymoney Council area.
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Unfilled Places/Surplus Capacity
11.6 Table 77 provides an overview of the anticipated unfilled places in 2025 based on the Needs Model and an analysis of enrolment trends.
Table 77: Overview of the Anticipated Unfilled Places in 2025
2025 Projected Approved Enrolment 2025 Unfilled Places (-) / Subset Number Total Projected Need Additional Places (+) Subset A 1,485 1,525 +40 Subset B 400 245 -155 Subset C 0 0 +0 TOTAL 1,885 1,770 -115 Table 78 shows the overall number of unfilled places within the Ballymoney Council area, 204 of which are within the Maintained Non-Selective Sector in Our Lady of Lourdes High School.
Table 78: Post-primary Pupil Places 2012
Approved Total Enrolment Enrolment Unfilled Places (-) / % Unfilled Subset School Sector Number October 12 Additional Places (+) Places Controlled Non-Selective 670 633 -37 6% Subset A Voluntary Grammar 815 862 +47 -6% Subset B Maintained Non-Selective 400 196 -204 51% Totals 1,885 1,691 -194 10%
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Cross Boundary Flows
11.7 Table 79 shows the number of pupils moving between Council areas in order to access school preferences. The movement of pupils across Council boundaries has been factored into the planning data for each area to ensure that the data properly reflects the developing need within that area.
An analysis by subset is as follows:
Table 79: Flow of Pupils Across Council Boundaries by Subset
Subset A Coleraine 195 Pupils Coleraine 411 Pupils Moyle 169 Pupils Moyle 98 Pupils Ballymena 139 Pupils Others 6 Pupils Others 3 Pupils Total Outflow 506 Pupils Total Inflow 515 Pupils Subset B Coleraine 248 Pupils Coleraine 22 Pupils Ballymena 202 Pupils Others 10 Pupils Moyle 170 Pupils Magherafelt 40 Pupils Others 3 Pupils Total Outflow 663 Pupils Total Inflow 32 Pupils Subset C Coleraine 20 Pupils None Ballymena 15 Pupils Others 1 Pupil Total Outflow 36 Pupils Total Inflow 0 Pupils Source: DENI Needs Model There is a major outflow of pupils from the Ballymoney Council area to other Council areas. There is a total outflow of 1,205 pupils and inflow of 547 pupils which represents a net loss of 658 pupils from the area.
The most significant flow of pupils is in Subset B where over 620 pupils attend schools in the Coleraine, Ballymena and Moyle Council areas.
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High Level Outcomes of Viability Audit
11.8 All post-primary schools within the Ballymoney Council area were subject to a Viability Audit in February 2012. The NEELB has updated this data; area profiles are included in the Appendices. This information will be updated on an annual basis. A summary of the information is as follows:
Quality Educational Experience
11.9 None of the non-selective post-primary schools have less than 40% of pupils achieving 5A*- C GCSE.
None of the non-selective post-primary schools have less than 25% of pupils achieving 5A*- C GCSE including English and Maths.
There are no post-primary schools in Ballymoney Council area in Formal Intervention.
Stable Enrolment Trends
11.10 One post-primary school in the Ballymoney Council area has an enrolment in Years 8-12 which falls below the minimum enrolment threshold of 500 pupils as specified in the Sustainable Schools Policy.
The only school which has a Sixth Form has an enrolment which is above the minimum threshold of 100 pupils.
Sound Financial Position
11.11 All 3 schools are operating within the LMS financial limits (Level 4)
NB. No figures available for VG or GMI.
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Entitlement Framework
11.12 Table 80 and 81 show a breakdown of courses available to pupils in post- primary schools in the Ballymoney Council area for 2012/2013
Table 80: Entitlement Framework Provision 2012-2013
Sector Number Number Total Number Number Total General Applied Courses General Applied Courses Courses Courses Year 11 Courses Courses Year 13 Year 11 Year 11 Year 13 Year 13 Subset A Ballymoney HS 8 18 26 - - - Dalriada School 15 12 27 13 10 23 Subset B Our Lady of Lourdes 9 18 27 - - - HS
Table 81: Entitlement Framework Variances (2012-2013)
Sector 12/13 Variance 12/13 Variance 12/13 Variance 12/13 Variance KS4 from 2013 Post-16 from KS4 from 2015 Post-16 2015 Target 2013 Target Target Target Subset A Ballymoney HS +8 - +2 - Dalriada School +9 +2 +3 -4 Subset B Our Lady of Lourdes +9 - +3 - HS
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First Preferences
11.13 Table 82 shows the first preference applications for admissions for the 3 year period 2011/12 to 2013/14 compared to the approved admissions number. The figures indicate that Dalriada School (selective) has been consistently over-subscribed whereas the remaining schools have been consistently under-subscribed.
Table 82: First Preference Applications
3 Year School Approved First Preference Applications Variance Average Type Admissions School Number 11/12 12/13 13/14 11/12 12/13 13/14 Variance
Ballymoney High C 130 98 111 94 -32 -19 -36 -29 Dalriada VG 125 153 177 170 28 52 45 42 Our Lady of Lourdes High M 80 34 25 26 -46 -55 -54 -52 Summary of the Area Profile
11.14 Pupil enrolment in one school falls below the Years 8-12 minimum threshold.
One school offers Sixth Form provision and is above the 100 pupil minimum threshold.
There is significant spare capacity in one non-selective post-primary school.
The schools are operating within financial limits.
There is a continuing need to support young people from areas of social deprivation.
There is a need to provide appropriate education pathways for all young people.
Future Needs Analysis - Addressing Viability Issues
11.15 The following analysis and proposals seeks to address identified viability and sustainability issues and to secure the required number of places in each of the 3 subsets. In addition options are provided which seek to address issues across subsets.
Subset A There is a need to secure 40 additional places.
Subset B There is a need to reduce the number of additional places by 155. 105
Rationale and Proposals for Future Provision of Post-Primary Education in the Ballymoney Council Area
11.18 The proposals for the Ballymoney Council area reflect the predicted need for post-primary places, as indicated by the Needs Model, the patterns of inward and outward migration and the responses to consultation on the Draft Area Plan. No consensus was identified in response to the options under consideration, specifically the movement towards a shared school provision. The final proposals for post-primary education in the area will acknowledge support for the existing schools while addressing the Terms of Reference with regard to sustainability. 85 responses to consultation on the draft area plan were received - 78 online and 7 written submissions. The key issues emerging from consultation are summarised as follows: • Consultation did not provide a basis for movement to a shared school provision. • Concerns regarding split site provision.
The rationale and proposals for each school in the Ballymoney Council area are listed in the following pages.
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Ballymoney Rationale Proposal Council area – Subset A • • Ballymoney Key issues emerging from the consultation show Ballymoney High School will develop as an 11-19 High School there is no basis for movement to shared school school (753 pupils). provision and there were also concerns regarding
split site provision. • The proposals for Ballymoney High School reflect the response to consultation which gave a clear indication that while the school and its community were very happy to be involved, though the local learning community, in joint working with other schools in the town it had no desire to change its management type or ethos at this time. The proposal to become an 11-18 school reflects a desire expressed in the consultation response for pupils to be able to attend the school for the full seven years to complete GCSE and then Post 16 studies which will avoid many pupils having to travel, at significant costs, out of their home town to Coleraine or Ballymena to access Post 16 provision. The increased numbers required to meet demand will ensure that Post 16 provision will be viable and sustainable. • No consensus was identified in response to the options under consideration, specifically the movement towards a shared school provision.
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• Dalriada • The proposal of Dalriada Grammar School Dalriada Grammar School will continue as an 11-19 maintains the balance of selective and non-selective school (897 pupils). provision in the town and anticipated need for places for pupils for whom this grammar school will be a suitable pathway.
Ballymoney Rationale Proposal Council area – Subset B • Our Lady of • Key issues emerging from the consultation show CCMS wish to work pro-actively with the NEELB to Lourdes there is no basis for movement to shared school explore and establish the potential for an effective shared management and partnership model which provision and there were also concerns regarding split site provision. would maximize the opportunities for Our Lady of Lourdes High school to continue as an integral part of • The enrolment of Our Lady of Lourdes High School post-primary provision in Ballymoney. has been below the threshold of 500 for the past four years. • The budget of Our Lady of Lourdes High School was 8.59% in deficit at 2011/12. • No consensus was identified in response to the options under consideration, specifically the movement towards a shared school provision.
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Chapter 12 Coleraine Council Area
12.1 The estimated population of Coleraine Council area based on the 2011 census figures was 59,067, a 4.89% increase on the 2001 census count of 56,315. At the time of the 2012/13 annual school census there were 9 post-primary schools within the Coleraine Council area: • 2 Controlled Post-Primary Schools (1 of which is now closed) • 1 Controlled Grammar School • 3 Voluntary Grammar Schools • 2 Maintained Post-Primary Schools • 1 Grant Maintained Integrated School
Following ministerial approval Garvagh High School closed on the 31 August 2013. As the statistics available at the time of publication of this area plan are taken from the 2012 school census, the data for Garvagh High School is included in this section except where indicated otherwise. Of the 9 post-primary schools in the Coleraine Council area at the time of the 2012/13 annual school census, one falls below the enrolment threshold of 500 pupils in Years 8-12, as shown in Table 83. Table 83: Enrolment Threshold – Years 8-12 (2012/13) Enrolment – Years 8-12 Number of Schools Less than 300 pupils 3 (1 now closed) 300 – 399 3 400 – 499 0 500+ 3 Total 9 Table 84 shows that two of the 7 schools which offer Sixth Form, have an enrolment below the minimum threshold of 100. Table 84: Enrolment Threshold – Sixth Form (2012/13) Enrolment – Sixth Form Number of Schools Less than 40 pupils 0 40 – 59 1 60 – 79 1 80 – 99 0 100+ 5 Total 7
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Non-selective / selective schools
12.2 Table 85 shows the non-selective and selective schools within the Coleraine Council area.
Analysis of the total enrolment data shows that 51% of pupils attend non- selective schools and 49% attend selective schools in Coleraine Council area. The percentage of pupil enrolment can be further analysed as follows:
• Controlled Non-Selective 6%
• Controlled Grammar 19%
• Voluntary Grammar 48%
• Maintained Non-Selective 16%
• Grant Maintained Post-Primary 11%
Table 85: Post-primary Provision 2012/13
Approved Enrolment Enrolment Years 8-12 Enrolment Sixth Form Total Enrolment Unfilled Places (-) / % Unfilled School Number October 12 October 12 October 12 Additional Places (+) Places Subset A - Controlled (Non-Selective) Coleraine College 600 174 44 218 -382 64% Garvagh 350 26 0 26 -324 93% Subset A - Controlled Grammar (Selective) Coleraine High 800 606 207 813 +13 -2% Subset A - Voluntary Grammar (Selective) Coleraine Acad Inst 870 622 153 775 -95 11% Subset B - Maintained (Non-Selective) St Joseph's College 490 281 70 351 -139 28% St Paul's College 270 317 0 317 +47 -17% Subset B - Voluntary Grammar (Selective) Dominican College 480 357 146 503 +23 -5% Subset B - Voluntary Grammar (Non-Selective) Loreto College 800 599 209 808 +8 -1% Subset C - Grant Maintained Integrated (Non-Selective) North Coast 500 340 123 463 -37 7%
Totals 5,160 3,322 952 4,274 -886 17% Source: DENI Annual School Census
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Needs Model
12.3 Table 86 shows the projected need for places across subsets, within the Coleraine Council area
It is expected that the projected pupil numbers within Years 8–12 will increase steadily from 2018 before levelling off between 2023 and 2025.
Table 86: Projected Pupil Numbers – Years 8-12
Coleraine Post-Primary Need Years 8-12 Council Area Total Subset A Subset B Subset C 2013 3,269 1,454 1,471 344 2014 3,163 1,406 1,425 332 2015 3,044 1,353 1,372 319 2016 3,014 1,340 1,358 316 2017 3,012 1,339 1,357 316 2018 3,006 1,335 1,357 314 2019 3,076 1,366 1,389 321 2020 3,127 1,388 1,412 327 2021 3,092 1,369 1,402 321 2022 3,080 1,362 1,400 318 2023 3,055 1,349 1,391 315 2024 3,051 1,347 1,390 314 2025 3,046 1,345 1,387 314 Source: DENI The projected pupil numbers within Sixth Form will vary between a low of 921 and a high of 1,101 between 2013 and 2025 as shown in Table 87.
Table 87: Projected Pupil Numbers – Sixth Form
Coleraine Post-Primary Need Sixth Form Council Area Total Subset A Subset B Subset C 2013 1,022 454 464 104 2014 1,080 481 489 110 2015 1,101 490 499 112 2016 1,066 474 484 108 2017 965 428 440 97 2018 921 408 420 93 2019 926 410 422 94 2020 924 410 422 92 2021 966 430 438 98 2022 971 431 441 99 2023 951 420 436 95 2024 1,015 449 464 102 2025 1,059 468 485 106 Source: DENI 111
12.4 Tables 88 and 89 show the projected need for pupil places within each subset in 2017 and 2025 as compared to actual need in 2012. In 2017 the Needs Model projects a significant upward trend in the requirement for pupil places.
Table 88: Projected Need (%) 2012 – 2017 – Years 8-12
Enrolment Projected Need % Increase / % Decrease Projected Need % Increase / % Decrease Subset October 2012 2017 from 2012-2017 2025 from 2012-2025 Subset A 1,428 1,339 -6% 1,345 -6% Subset B 1,554 1,357 -13% 1,387 -11% Subset C 340 316 -7% 314 -8% Source: Annual School Census / DENI Table 89: Projected Need (%) 2012 – 2017 – Sixth Form
Enrolment Projected Need % Increase / % Decrease Projected Need % Increase / % Decrease Subset October 2012 2017 from 2012-2017 2025 from 2012-2025 Subset A 404 428 6% 468 16% Subset B 425 440 4% 485 14% Subset C 123 97 -21% 106 -14% Source: Annual School Census / DENI Table 90 summarises the projected need for pupil places within the Coleraine Council area.
Table 90: Projected Need (Pupil Places) 2012-2025
Sixth Form Years 8-12 & Sixth Form Subset Oct. 2012 2025 +/- Oct. 2012 2025 +/- Subset A 404 468 +64 1,832 1,813 -19 Subset B 425 485 +60 1,979 1,872 -107 Subset C 123 106 -17 463 420 -43 Total 952 1,059 +107 4,274 4,105 -169 Source: Annual School Census / DENI
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Enrolment Trends
12.5 Figure 26 shows the increase in actual enrolment to 2012, a further projected decrease in enrolment to 2018 before increasing from 2025.
Figure 26: Overall Pupil Enrolment Profile – Actual and Projected 2009-2025
Figure 27 shows the enrolment trend for Subset A schools.
Figure 27: Subset A - Pupil Enrolment Profile – Actual and Projected 2009- 2025
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Figure 28 shows the enrolment trend for Subset B schools.
Figure 28: Subset B - Pupil Enrolment Profile – Actual and Projected 2009- 2025
Figure 29 shows the enrolment trend for Subset C schools.
Figure 29: Subset C - Pupil Enrolment Profile – Actual and Projected 2009- 2025
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Unfilled Places/Surplus Capacity
12.6 Table 91 provides an overview of the anticipated unfilled places in 2025 based on the Needs Model and an analysis of enrolment trends.
Due the closure of Garvagh High School on the 31 August 2013 the Approved Enrolment Number in Table 87 below does not include the 350 school places previously allocated to this school.
Table 91: Overview of the Anticipated Unfilled Places in 2025
2025 Projected Approved Enrolment 2025 Unfilled Places (-) / Subset Number Total Projected Need Additional Places (+) Subset A 2,270 1,813 -457 Subset B 2,040 1,872 -168 Subset C 500 420 -80 TOTAL 4,810 4,105 -705 Table 92 indicates that there are a total of 886 unfilled places within the Coleraine Council area. Of the 886 unfilled places, 706 are within the Controlled Non-Selective Sector.
Of the 706 Controlled Non-Selective Sector unfilled places, 324 were attributable to Garvagh High School which closed on 31 August 2013.
The remaining 382 are attributable to Coleraine College.
Table 92: Post-primary Pupil Places 2012
Approved Total Enrolment Enrolment Unfilled Places (-) / % Unfilled Subset School Sector Number October 12 Additional Places (+) Places Controlled Grammar 800 813 +13 -2% Subset A Controlled Non-Selective 950 244 -706 74% Voluntary Grammar 870 775 -95 11% Maintained Non-Selective 760 668 -92 12% Subset B Voluntary Grammar 1,280 1,311 +31 -2% Subset C Grant Maintained Integrated 500 463 -37 7% Totals 5,160 4,274 -886 17%
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Cross Boundary Flows
12.7 Table 93 shows the number of pupils moving between Council areas in order to access school preferences. The movement of pupils across Council boundaries has been factored into the planning data for each area to ensure that the data properly reflects the developing need within that area.
An analysis by subset is as follows:
Table 93: Flow of Pupils Across Council Boundaries by Subset
Subset A Ballymoney 411 Pupils Ballymoney 195 Pupils Moyle 378 Pupils Moyle 43 Pupils Limavady 76 Pupils Magherafelt 20 Pupils Ballymena 19 Pupils Limavady 12 Pupils Magherafelt 19 Pupils Others 4 Pupils Others 1 Pupil Total Outflow 904 Pupils Total Inflow 274 Pupils Subset B Magherafelt 111 Pupils Ballymoney 248 Pupils Ballymoney 22 Pupils Limavady 170 Pupils Limavady 10 Pupils Magherafelt 79 Pupils Others 8 Pupils Moyle 53 Pupils Others 13 Pupils Total Outflow 151 Pupils Total Inflow 563 Pupils Subset C Magherafelt 5 Pupils Ballymoney 20 Pupils Others 8 Pupils Total Outflow 5 Pupils Total Inflow 28 Pupils Source: DENI Needs Model There is a major outflow of pupils from the Coleraine Council area to other Council areas. There is a total outflow of 1,060 pupils and inflow of 865 pupils which represents a net loss of 195 pupils from the area.
The most significant flow of pupils is in Subset A where over 900 pupils leave Coleraine to attend schools in the Ballymoney and Moyle Council areas among others.
Subset B has a significant inflow of pupils with over 400 pupils coming from Ballymoney and Limavady Council areas.
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High Level Outcomes of Viability Audit
12.8 All post-primary schools within the Coleraine Council area were subject to a Viability Audit in February 2012. The NEELB has updated this data; area profiles are attached in The Appendices. This information will be updated on an annual basis. A summary of the information is as follows, excluding Garvagh High School which closed 31 August 2013.
Quality Educational Experience
12.9 None of the non-selective post-primary schools have less than 40% of pupils achieving 5A*- C GCSE.
Two non-selective post-primary schools have less than 25% of pupils achieving 5A*- C GCSE including English and Maths.
There are no post-primary schools in the Coleraine Council area in Formal Intervention.
Stable Enrolment Trends
12.10 6 post-primary schools in the Coleraine Council area currently fall below the minimum enrolment threshold of 500 pupils (Years 8-12), as specified in the Sustainable Schools Policy.
Of the 9 schools which have a Sixth Form, 3 fall below the minimum enrolment threshold of 100 pupils.
Sound Financial Position
12.11 One school shows a projected deficit greater than 5% and less than 25% or greater than £75,000 (Level 3)
4 out of the 5 schools are operating within the LMS financial limits (Level 4)
NB. No figures available for VG or GMI.
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Entitlement Framework
12.12 Tables 94 and 95 provide a breakdown of courses available to pupils in post- primary schools in the Coleraine Council area for 2012/2013.
Table 94: Entitlement Framework Provision 2012-2013
Sector Number Number Total Number Number Total General Applied Courses General Applied Courses Courses Courses Year 11 Courses Courses Year 13 Year 11 Year 11 Year 13 Year 13 Subset A CAI 14 10 24 14 13 27 Coleraine College 7 16 23 0 14 14 Coleraine HS 15 11 26 16 12 28 Dominican College 14 9 23 14 12 26 Garvagh HS ------Loreto GS 14 8 22 16 8 24 NCIC 9 16 25 10 14 24 St Joseph’s College 9 11 20 9 15 24 St Paul’s College 9 15 24 - - -
Table 95: Entitlement Framework Variances (2012-2013)
Sector 12/13 Variance 12/13 Variance 12/13 Variance 12/13 Variance KS4 from 2013 Post-16 from KS4 from 2015 Post-16 2015 Target 2013 Target Target Target Subset A CAI +6 +6 - - Coleraine College +5 -7 -1 -13 Coleraine HS +8 +7 +2 +1 Dominican College +5 +5 -1 -1 Garvagh HS - - - - Loreto GS +4 +3 -2 -3 NCIC +7 +3 +1 -3 St Joseph’s College +2 +3 -4 -3 St Paul’s College +6 - - -
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First Preferences
12.13 Table 96 shows the first preference applications for admissions for the 3 year period 2011/12 to 2013/14 compared with the approved admissions number.
The figures indicate that only Loreto College (non-selective) has been consistently over-subscribed. Both Coleraine College and St Joseph’s College (both non-selective) have been consistently under-subscribed.
Table 96: First Preference Applications
3 Year School Approved First Preference Applications Variance Average Type Admissions School Number 11/12 12/13 13/14 11/12 12/13 13/14 Variance
Coleraine High CG 120 132 109 122 12 -11 2 1 Coleraine College C 103 17 23 22 -86 -80 -81 -82 Coleraine Acad Inst VG 125 111 120 95 -14 -5 -30 -16 St Joseph's High M 98 25 34 23 -73 -64 -75 -71 St Paul's College M 54 51 53 44 -3 -1 -10 -5 Dominican College VG 69 92 73 68 23 4 -1 9 Loreto College VG 120 123 149 176 3 29 56 29 North Coast GMI 80 41 41 41 -39 -39 -39 -39
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Summary of the Area Profile
12.14 2 non-selective post-primary schools have less than 25% of pupils achieving 5A* - C GCSE
Pupil enrolment in 5 schools fall below the minimum threshold for Years 8-12
Sixth Form provision in two schools falls below the minimum enrolment threshold.
One school has a deficit greater than 5% and less than 25% or greater than £75,000 (level 3)
There is a continuing need to support young people from areas of social deprivation.
There is a need to provide appropriate education pathways for all young people.
Future Needs Analysis - Addressing Viability Issues
12.15 The following analysis and proposals seeks to address identified viability and sustainability issues and to secure the required number of places in each of the 3 subsets. In addition options are provided which seek to address issues across subsets.
Subset A There is a need to reduce the number of places by 457.
Subset B There is a need to reduce the number of places by 168.
Subset C There is a need to reduce the number of places by 80.
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Rationale and Proposals for Future Provision of Post-Primary Education in the Coleraine Council area 12.16 The North Eastern Education and Library Board authorised officers to prioritise this area and to move ahead of the area plan in order to protect the educational interests of young people. The options for consideration for this area were formulated following consultation with all education sector partners, school principals and Boards of Governors, and were subject to public consultation at local level. 258 responses to consultation on the draft area plan were received - 211 online and 47 written submissions. The key issues emerging from consultation are summarised as follows: • The impact of current patterns of enrolment • The response to consultation indicating the need for Grammar school provision; • The need to address issues confronting Coleraine College • The position of Grant Maintained Integrated provision • The predicted demographic trends • The complexity of the various school management types involved • The rural nature of provision at Dunluce School (Moyle area but drawing pupils from Coleraine) • The need for new build schools to facilitate change No consensus emerged from the response to the consultation in the Coleraine area. The wide range of opinion with regard to the future is reflective of the plethora of management types in the area and the challenges being faced in an area of significant demographic decline. The proposals for post-primary education provision will continue to provide high quality education for all pupils in the area whilst meeting the demand for parental choice. The proposals for Coleraine take full account of the predicted number of places required in the area, as indicated by the Needs Model and the migration statistics. The rationale and proposals for each school in the Coleraine Council area are listed in the following pages.
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Coleraine Rationale Proposal Council Area – Subset A • Coleraine • Key issues emerging from the consultation indicates the need Coleraine Academical Institution and Coleraine Academical for grammar school provision, the complexity of the various High School will combine to create two separate co- Institution school management types involved and the need for new build educational schools under the same school names and schools to facilitate change. and management types. One school will select its pupils by academic ability and will have a maximum Coleraine • The proposal regarding Coleraine Academical Institution and enrolment of 990 pupils by the year 2025 with the High School Coleraine High School involves the cessation of the current other school non selective with a maximum single sex provision at each school, combined with the enrolment of 1210 pupils by the year 2025. proposed closure of Coleraine College, to facilitate the
establishment of two new schools; a co-educational Grammar • The Board wishes to signal the pivotal need for the School and a co-educational non-selective school. Both new schools will be viable and sustainable, in terms of DE Policy provision of new school buildings to support the development of the two new co-educational schools for Sustainable Schools, and able to offer the full range of curricular and Entitlement Framework provision for pupils. In contained in this proposal, given the current essence the proposal involves the cessation of the provision condition of the estate and the single sex nature of of three current schools to facilitate the establishment of two its provision. viable, sustainable schools • Coleraine • The enrolment at Coleraine College has declined on a year on Coleraine College to be considered for closure. College year basis and has been below the threshold of 100 for the past 3 years. • The 6th form enrolment at Coleraine College has been below the threshold of 100 for the past 3 years. • The budget at Coleraine College was 74.55% in deficit at
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2011/12. • The proposals recognise the fact that; current non-selective provision in Coleraine College is neither viable nor sustainable, due to the significant demographic downturn combined with the fact that the Grammar Schools continue to fill to capacity with a wider ability range of pupils the impact of the population reduction falls on the non-selective controlled school. • Garvagh • During March and April 2012 the Board carried out a review of Garvagh High School closed 31 August 2013. High School provision at Garvagh High School, which led to a process of statutory consultation including meetings with Governors, staff, parents and pupils. The outcome of this consultation was the decision on 1 October 2012 by the Education Minister to approve the Development Proposal that Garvagh High School will close with effect from 31 August 2013 or as soon possible thereafter. Coleraine Rationale Proposal Council area – Subset B • Loreto • The proposals for Loreto College, Dominican College, St Work has commenced on the delivery of the NICCE College Joseph’s College and St Paul’s College (Kilrea) reflect the work recommendation that -Loreto College, Dominican College and St Joseph’s High School work together St Joseph’s of the Northern Ireland Commission for Catholic Education (NICCE) and the Council for Catholic Maintained Schools to establish two 11-19 Catholic managed post- College primary schools, one in Coleraine and one in (CCMS). Portstewart. A Business Case will be produced by St Paul’s • The enrolment of St Joseph’s College has been below the March 2013. St. Paul’s College (Kilrea) forms part College threshold of 500 for the past 3 years. of the South Derry project. Which proposes to
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• th create a new school through the amalgamation of Dominican The 6 form enrolment of St Joseph’s College has been below St Paul’s with St Mary’s College, Clady College the threshold of 100 for the past 3 years. • The enrolment of St Paul’s College has been below the threshold of 500 for the past 3 years. • The enrolment at Dominican College has shown a small year on year increase and has been above the threshold of 500 for the past 2 years. Coleraine Rationale Proposal Council area – Subset C • North Coast • Key issues emerging from the consultation is the position of North Coast Integrated College will continue as an Integrated grant Maintained integrated provision and the complexity of the 11-19 school with a maximum enrolment by the College various school management types involved. year 2025 of 550 pupils.
• The enrolment at North Coast Integrated College has been below the threshold of 500 for the past 3 years. • The 6th form at North Coast Integrated College has increased on a year on year basis for the past 3 years and has been above the threshold of 100 in 2012/13. • The proposal for North Coast Integrated College reflects the strong response to consultation seeking to ensure that parents have access to the choice of integrated education in the town.
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Chapter 13 Moyle Council Area
13.1 The estimated population of Moyle Council area based on the 2011 census figures was 17,050, a 7.01% increase on the 2001 census count of 15,933.
There are 3 post-primary schools with the Moyle Council area: • 2 Controlled Non-Selective Schools • 1 Maintained Post-Primary School
Table 97 shows that of the 3 post-primary schools in the Moyle Council area, two fall below the enrolment threshold of 500 pupils in Years 8-12. It is important to note that in one school the enrolment number set by the Department of Education does not allow the school to achieve this threshold.
Table 97: Enrolment Threshold – Years 8-12 (2012/13) Enrolment – Years 8-12 Number of Schools Less than 300 pupils 0 300 – 399 1 400 – 499 1 500+ 1 Total 3
Table 98 shows that of the two schools which offer Sixth Form, one has pupil numbers above the threshold of 100.
Table 98: Enrolment Threshold – Sixth Form (2012/13) Enrolment – Sixth Form Number of Schools Less than 40 pupils 0 40 – 59 0 60 – 79 1 80 – 99 0 100+ 1 Total 2
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Non-Selective / Selective Schools
13.2 Table 99 shows the non-selective and selective schools within the Moyle Council area.
Analysis of the total enrolment data shows that 100% of pupils attend non- selective schools in the Moyle Council area. The percentage of pupil enrolment can be further analysed as follows:
• Controlled Non-Selective 52%
• Maintained Non-Selective 48%
Table 99: Post-primary Provision 2012/13
Approved Enrolment Enrolment Years 8-12 Enrolment Sixth Form Total Enrolment Unfilled Places (-) / % Unfilled School Number October 12 October 12 October 12 Additional Places (+) Places Subset A - Controlled (Non-Selective) Ballycastle 460 304 71 375 -85 18% Dunluce 550 468 0 468 -82 15% Subset B - Maintained (Non-Selective) Cross & Passion College 720 595 180 775 +55 -8%
Totals 1,730 1,367 251 1,618 -112 6% Source: DENI Annual School Census
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Needs Model
13.3 Table 100 shows the projected need for places across subsets, within the Moyle Council area.
It is expected that the projected pupil numbers within Years 8 - 12 will increase steadily from 2017 before levelling off between 2023 and 2025.
Table 100: Projected Pupil Numbers – Years 8-12
Moyle Council Post-Primary Need Years 8-12 Area Total Subset A Subset B Subset C 2013 1,319 754 565 0 2014 1,265 725 540 0 2015 1,226 701 525 0 2016 1,215 695 520 0 2017 1,208 692 516 0 2018 1,224 697 527 0 2019 1,289 727 562 0 2020 1,298 734 564 0 2021 1,314 737 577 0 2022 1,338 745 593 0 2023 1,352 748 604 0 2024 1,351 747 604 0 2025 1,349 746 603 0 Source: DENI Table 101 shows that the pupil numbers within Sixth Form is projected to vary between a low of 205 and a high of 300 between 2013 and 2025.
Table 101: Projected Pupil Numbers – Sixth Form
Moyle Council Post-Primary Need Sixth Form Area Total Subset A Subset B Subset C 2013 259 84 175 0 2014 286 101 185 0 2015 300 110 190 0 2016 290 104 186 0 2017 253 85 168 0 2018 231 74 157 0 2019 205 63 142 0 2020 226 69 157 0 2021 253 81 172 0 2022 242 77 165 0 2023 243 75 168 0 2024 267 88 179 0 2025 284 97 187 0 Source: DENI 127
13.4 Tables 102 and 103 show the projected need for pupil places within each subset in 2017 and 2025 as compared to actual need in 2012. In 2017 the Needs Model projects a significant upward trend in the requirement for pupil places.
Table 102: Projected Need (%) 2012 – 2017 – Years 8-12
Enrolment Projected Need % Increase / % Decrease Projected Need % Increase / % Decrease Subset October 2012 2017 from 2012-2017 2025 from 2012-2025 Subset A 772 692 -10% 746 -3% Subset B 595 516 -13% 603 1% Subset C 0 0 n/a 0 n/a Source: Annual School Census / DENI Table 103: Projected Need (%) 2012 – 2017 – Sixth Form
Enrolment Projected Need % Increase / % Decrease Projected Need % Increase / % Decrease Subset October 2012 2017 from 2012-2017 2025 from 2012-2025 Subset A 71 85 20% 97 37% Subset B 180 168 -7% 187 4% Subset C 0 0 n/a 0 n/a Source: Annual School Census / DENI
Table 104 shows projected need for pupil places within the Moyle Council area.
Table 104: Projected Need (Pupil Places) 2012-2025
Sixth Form Years 8-12 & Sixth Form Subset Oct. 2012 2025 +/- Oct. 2012 2025 +/- Subset A 71 97 +26 843 843 +0 Subset B 180 187 +7 775 790 +15 Subset C 0 0 +0 0 0 +0 Total 251 284 +33 1,618 1,633 +15 Source: Annual School Census / DENI
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Enrolment Trends
13.5 Figure 30 shows the decline in actual enrolment to 2012 and projected increase in enrolment from 2018.
Figure 30: Overall Pupil Enrolment Profile – Actual and Projected 2009-2025
Figure 31 shows the enrolment trend for Subset A schools.
Figure 31: Subset A: Pupil Enrolment Profile – Actual and Projected 2009-2025
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Figure 32 shows the enrolment trend for Subset B schools.
Figure 32: Subset B: Pupil Enrolment Profile – Actual and Projected 2009-2025
There are no Subset C schools in the Moyle Council area.
Unfilled Places/Surplus Capacity
13.6 Table 105 provides an overview of the anticipated number of unfilled places in 2025 based on the Needs Model and an analysis of enrolment trends.
Table 105: Overview of the Anticipated Unfilled Places in 2025
2025 Projected Approved Enrolment 2025 Unfilled Places (-) / Subset Number Total Projected Need Additional Places (+) Subset A 1,010 843 -167 Subset B 720 790 +70 Subset C 0 0 +0 TOTAL 1,730 1,633 -97 Table 106 indicates that there are a total of 167 unfilled places within the Controlled non-selective sector in Moyle Council area. This is offset by a need in the Maintained non-selective sector for an additional 55 places.
The 167 Controlled non-selective sector unfilled places are attributable to Ballycastle High School (85) and Dunluce School (82).
Table 106: Post-primary Pupil Places 2012
Approved Total Enrolment Enrolment Unfilled Places (-) / % Unfilled Subset School Sector Number October 12 Additional Places (+) Places Subset A Controlled Non-Selective 1,010 843 -167 17% Subset B Maintained Non-Selective 720 775 +55 -8% Totals 1,730 1,618 -112 6% 130
Cross Boundary Flows
13.7 Table 107 shows the number of pupils moving between Council areas in order to access school preferences. The movement of pupils across Council boundaries has been factored into the planning data for each area to ensure that the data properly reflects the developing need within that area.
An analysis by subset is as follows:
Table 107: Flow of Pupils Across Council Boundaries by Subset
Subset A Ballymoney 98 Pupils Coleraine 378 Pupils Coleraine 43 Pupils Ballymoney 169 Pupils Others 12 Pupils Others 2 Pupils Total Outflow 153 Pupils Total Inflow 549 Pupils Subset B Larne 254 Pupils Ballymoney 170 Pupils Coleraine 53 Pupils Others 5 Pupils Ballymena 18 Pupils Others 4 Pupils Total Outflow 329 Pupils Total Inflow 175 Pupils Subset C Coleraine 5 Pupils None Ballymena 1 Pupil Total Outflow 6 Pupils Total Inflow 0 Pupils Source: DENI Needs Model There is a net inflow of pupils to the Moyle Council area from other Council areas. There is a total outflow of 488 pupils and inflow of 724 pupils which represents a net gain of 236 pupils to the area.
The most significant flow of pupils is in Subset A. In Subset A almost 550 pupils move to post-primary schools in the Moyle Council area from neighbouring Council areas such as Coleraine and Ballymoney.
Subset B shows an outflow of almost 330 pupils mainly to the Larne Council area.
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High Level Outcomes of Viability Audit
13.8 All post-primary schools within the Moyle Council area were subject to a Viability Audit in February 2012. The NEELB has updated this data; area profiles are included in the Appendices. This information will be updated on an annual basis. A summary of the information is as follows:
Quality Educational Experience
13.9 None of the non-selective post-primary school have less than 40% of pupils achieving 5A*- C GCSE.
One non-selective post-primary school has less than 25% of pupils achieving 5A*- C GCSE including English and Maths.
There is one post-primary school in the Moyle Council area in Formal Intervention.
Stable Enrolment Trends
13.10 Two post-primary schools in the Moyle Council area currently fall below the minimum enrolment threshold of 500 pupils (Years 8-12), as specified in the Sustainable Schools Policy.
Of the two schools which have a Sixth Form, one falls below the enrolment threshold of 100 pupils.
Sound Financial Position
13.11 All schools are operating within the LMS financial limits (Level 4).
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Entitlement Framework
13.12 Tables 108 and 109 provide a breakdown of courses available to pupils in post-primary schools in the Moyle Council area for 2012/2013.
Table 108: Entitlement Framework Provision 2012-2013
Sector Number Number Total Number Number Total General Applied Courses General Applied Courses Courses Courses Year 11 Courses Courses Year 13 Year 11 Year 11 Year 13 Year 13 Subset A Ballycastle HS 10 14 24 12 18 30 Dunluce School 10 16 26 - - - Subset B Cross & Passion 13 22 35 12 19 31 College
Table 109: Entitlement Framework Variances (2012-2013)
Sector 12/13 12/13 12/13 12/13 Variance KS4 Variance Variance KS4 Variance from 2013 Post-16 from from 2015 Post-16 2015 Target 2013 Target Target Target Subset A Ballycastle HS +6 +9 - +3 Dunluce School +8 - +2 - Subset B Cross & Passion +17 +10 +11 +4 College
First Preferences
13.13 Table 110 shows the first preference applications for admissions for the 3 year period 2011/12 to 2013/14 compared with the approved admissions number.
Table 110: First Preference Applications
3 Year School Approved First Preference Applications Variance Average Type Admissions School Number 11/12 12/13 13/14 11/12 12/13 13/14 Variance
Ballycastle C 92 52 60 50 -40 -32 -42 -38 Dunluce C 110 80 57 47 -30 -53 -63 -49 Cross & Passion College M 130 104 108 95 -26 -22 -35 -28
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The figures indicate that none of the schools have been over-subscribed over the 3 year period. The figures also show that applications to schools in the area have been falling.
Summary of the Area Profile
13.14 One school has less than 25% of pupils achieving 5A* - C GCSE including English and Maths
Pupil enrolment in two schools falls below the minimum threshold for Years 8- 12
Sixth Form provision in one school falls below the pupil minimum threshold.
The schools are operating within financial limits.
There is a continuing need to support young people from areas of social deprivation.
There is a need to provide appropriate education pathways for all young people.
Future Needs Analysis - Addressing Viability Issues
13.15 The following analysis and proposals seeks to address identified viability and sustainability issues and to secure the required number of places in each of the 3 subsets. In addition options are provided which seek to address issues across subsets.
Subset A There is a need to reduce the number of places by 167.
There is a need to address educational achievement with one school in Formal Intervention.
Subset B There is a need to increase the number of places by 70.
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Rationale and Proposals for Future Provision of Post-Primary Education in the Moyle Council area 13.16 The proposals for Moyle reflect the predicted need for post-primary places, as indicated by the Needs Model, the patterns of inward and outward migration and the responses to consultation on the Draft Area Plan. The proposals also reflect a number of other factors: • the relative rural isolation of the area. • the existing long established working partnership between Cross and Passion College and Ballycastle High School. • the response to consultation which indicated a strong desire to continue and develop this partnership, while enabling the two schools to maintain their current ethos and management type. • the opportunity to continue and develop as a first class example of shared education. • the need for places as indicated by the Needs Model.
The response to consultation reflects the long-standing positive working relationship which has developed between the two non-selective post-primary schools in Ballycastle. The proposals for the post-primary education in the area will be largely based on the joint submission at local level which will continue to provide high quality education for all the pupils whilst meeting the demands of parental choice. 29 responses to consultation on the draft area plan were received - 13 online and 16 written submissions. The key issues emerging from consultation are summarised as follows: • The consultation indicated a strong desire to build on the positive working relationship between two post-primary schools. • The need to develop the partnership and seek a new build facility to accommodate both schools and to provide shared resources.
The rationale and proposals for each school in the Moyle Council area are listed in the following pages.
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Moyle Rationale Proposal Council area – Subset A • Ballycastle Key issues emerging from the consultation indicated a strong • Ballycastle High School to continue as an 11- High School desire to build on the positive working relationship between two 19 school (550 pupils). post-primary schools and the need to build and develop the partnership and to seek a new build facility to accommodate both schools and to provide shared resources. • The enrolment of Ballycastle High School has been below the threshold of 500 for the past 3 years. • The 6th Form enrolment of Ballycastle High School has been below the threshold of 100 for the past 3 years. • The response to consultation reflects the long-standing positive working relationship which has developed between the two non- selective post-primary schools in Ballycastle. The proposals for the post-primary education in area will be largely based on the joint submission at local level which will continue to provide high quality education for all the pupils whilst meeting the demands of parental choice. • The proposals for the Moyle area reflect a number of factors: - the relative rural isolation of the area. - the existing long established working partnership between Cross and Passion College and Ballycastle High School. - the response to consultation which indicated a strong desire to continue and develop this partnership, while enabling the two schools to maintain their current ethos and management type.
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- while recognising that Ballycastle High School falls below the Sustainability Threshold of 500 (11-16) and 100 (Post 16) the proposal to continue with the two schools as at present is based on the partnership which in real terms means that the circa 1100 pupils have full access to the curriculum and the Entitlement Framework at Key Stage 4 and Post 16. It is evident that the two schools have developed a process, over a number of years, of planning as one provider for the pupils. - the opportunity to continue and develop as a first class example of shared education. - the need for places as indicated by the Needs Model. • Dunluce • One of the key issues emerging is the rural location of the Dunluce School to continue as an 11-16 (550 School school. pupils). th • Dunluce School entered Formal Intervention on 7 March 2012. • The enrolment at Dunluce School has been below the threshold of 500 for the past 3 years. Moyle Rationale Proposal Council area – Subset B • • Cross and Key issues emerging from the consultation indicated a strong Cross and Passion College which is to Passion desire to build on the positive working relationship between two continue as an 11-19 school (770 pupils). College post-primary schools and the need to build and develop the Both schools would work together while partnership and to seek a new build facility to accommodate maintaining individual Governance both schools and to provide shared resources. • The response to consultation reflects the long-standing positive working relationship which has developed between the two non-
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selective post-primary schools in Ballycastle. The proposals for the post-primary education in area will be largely based on the joint submission at local level which will continue to provide high quality education for all the pupils whilst meeting the demands of parental choice. • The proposals for the Moyle area reflect a number of factors: - the relative rural isolation of the area. - the existing long established working partnership between Cross and Passion College and Ballycastle High School. - the response to consultation which indicated a strong desire to continue and develop this partnership, while enabling the two schools to maintain their current ethos and management type. - while recognising that Ballycastle High School falls below the Sustainability Threshold of 500 (11-16) and 100 (Post 16) the proposal to continue with the two schools as at present is based on the partnership which in real terms means that the circa 1100 pupils have full access to the curriculum and the Entitlement Framework at Key Stage 4 and Post 16. It is evident that the two schools have developed a process, over a number of years, of planning as one provider for the pupils. - the opportunity to continue and develop as a first class example of shared education. - the need for places as indicated by the Needs Model.
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Chapter 14 NEELB Southern Area Overview
General Context 14.1 The Southern area of the NEELB encompasses the local Council areas of Carrickfergus, Larne and Newtownabbey. Post-primary education provision is predominantly clustered in the towns of Carrickfergus and Larne, and in the greater Newtownabbey area which includes Ballyclare, Monkstown and Glengormley. It is acknowledged that some pupils travel across Council and Education and Library Board boundaries to access post-primary provision.
Figure 33: Map showing Post-Primary Schools within the NEELB Southern Area
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Social Context 14.2 Table 105 shows the Super Output areas in the Southern area in which the post-primary schools are located. While a number of post-primary schools are located in areas with varying degrees of social, economic and education deprivation, the enrolments will be drawn from a wider catchment area. In planning localised post-primary provision it will be important for the Board to consider the needs of local communities in addition to the specific educational requirements of schools themselves. A number of schools located in areas of educational deprivation are currently well placed to meet the needs and aspirations of local communities. Table 111: Southern Schools’ Locations within Super Output Areas
Management School Name Council area Super Output NIMDM % Type Areas lowest = Education most Deprivatio deprived n lowest = most deprived
VG Larne Grammar Larne Antiville 14 11
C Newtownabbey CHS Newtownabbey Whitehouse 17 24
C Ballyclare Secondary Newtownabbey Ballyclare South 1 25 29
C Ballyclare High School Newtownabbey Ballyclare South 1 25 29
C Larne High School Larne Town Parks 44 30
M St Killian's College Larne Carnlough 33 36
C Glengormley High Newtownabbey Ballyhenry 2 43 43 School
GMI Ulidia Int College Carrickfergus Victoria 58 51 Carrickfergus
C Monkstown Comm Newtownabbey Jordanstown 1 81 63 School
M Edmund Rice College Newtownabbey Mallusk 2 88 76
C Carrickfergus College Carrickfergus Burleigh Hill 91 79
C Downshire School Carrickfergus Bluefield 1 98 79
CG Carrickfergus Grammar Carrickfergus Burleigh Hill 2 91 79
VG Belfast High School Newtownabbey Rosstulla 2 99 97
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Current Provision in the Southern Area
14.3 In the 2012/13 academic year 10,335 pupils attended 14 post-primary schools in the Southern area of the Board (Source: DENI NI School Census). 6622 pupils attended 10 non-selective post-primary schools – 7 controlled, 2 Maintained and 1 grant Maintained integrated. 3713 pupils attended 4 selective post-primary schools – 2 controlled and 2 voluntary. Table 106 shows the enrolments over the past 7 years from 2006/07 to 2012/13 in each of the post-primary schools in the Southern area. The existing unfilled places is also shown together with the occupancy rate. The enrolment trends being experienced in a number of non-selective post- primary schools present the challenge of remaining educationally viable and avoid the inefficiencies arising from an excessive number of unfilled places.
Table 112: Southern Area Post-Primary School Enrolments 2006 – 2013
School Approved Unfilled School Type 06/07 07/08 08/09 09/10 10/11 11/12 12/13 Enrolment Places
Carrickfergus College CS 787 794 794 746 716 685 671 900 229 Downshire CS 799 806 781 796 800 782 725 800 75 Larne High CS 531 489 503 487 489 487 486 750 264 Ballyclare Secondary CS 1,017 1,002 1,016 1,016 1,009 1,030 1,037 960 0 Glengormley High CS 1,110 1,068 1,062 1,019 984 943 871 1,250 379 Monkstown Community High CS 712 669 681 684 683 631 619 820 201 Newtownabbey Community High CS 302 229 227 240 229 230 223 650 427 Carrickfergus Grammar CG 804 801 798 804 808 816 814 800 0 Ballyclare High CG 1,219 1,217 1,213 1,225 1,222 1,222 1,223 1,210 0 Larne Grammar VG 729 721 734 723 729 741 740 725 0 Belfast High VG 927 931 930 927 929 933 936 930 0
St Killian's College MS 0 0 0 805 824 829 806 830 24 Edmund Rice College MS 531 544 588 627 617 596 608 600 0
Ulidia Integrated College GMI 532 532 537 534 536 552 576 500 0
St Comgall's College MS 198 181 164 0 0 0 0 Amalgamated 0 St MacNissi's Grammar MS 597 597 601 0 0 0 0 Amalgamated 0 Totals 10,795 10,581 10,629 10,633 10,575 10,477 10,335 11,725 1,599 Source: DENI Annual School Census
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Chapter 15 Carrickfergus Council Area
15.1 The estimated population of Carrickfergus Council area based on the 2011 census figures was 39,114, a 3.86% increase on the 2001 census count of 37,659.
There are 4 post-primary schools with the Carrickfergus Council area: • 2 Controlled Non-Selective Schools • 1 Controlled Grammar School • 1 Grant Maintained Integrated Post-Primary School
Table 113 shows that of the 4 post-primary schools in the Carrickfergus Council area, two fall below the enrolment threshold of 500 pupils in Years 8- 12. It is important to note that in one school the enrolment number set by the Department of Education does not allow the school to achieve this threshold.
Table 113: Enrolment Threshold – Years 8-12 (2012/13) Enrolment – Years 8-12 Number of Schools Less than 300 pupils 0 300 – 399 0 400 – 499 1 500+ 3 Total 4
Table 114 shows that two of the four schools in the area which offer Sixth Form have enrolments below the minimum threshold of 100.
Table 114: Enrolment Threshold – Sixth Form (2012/13) Enrolment – Sixth Form Number of Schools Less than 40 pupils 0 40 – 59 1 60 – 79 1 80 – 99 0 100+ 2 Total 4
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Non-Selective / Selective Schools
15.2 Table 115 identifies the non-selective and selective schools within the Carrickfergus Council area.
Analysis of the total enrolment data shows that 71% of pupils attend non- selective schools and 29% attend selective schools in Carrickfergus Council. The percentage of pupil enrolment can be further analysed as follows:
• Controlled Non-Selective 50%
• Controlled Grammar 29%
• Grant Maintained Integrated Post-Primary 21%
Table 115: Post-primary Provision 2012/13
Approved Enrolment Enrolment Years 8-12 Enrolment Sixth Form Total Enrolment Unfilled Places (-) / % Unfilled School Number October 12 October 12 October 12 Additional Places (+) Places Subset A - Controlled (Non-Selective) Carrickfergus College 900 549 122 671 -229 25% Downshire 800 656 69 725 -75 9% Subset A - Controlled Grammar (Selective) Carrickfergus Grammar 800 595 219 814 +14 -2% Subset C - Grant Maintained Integrated (Non-Selective) Ulidia Integrated College 500 462 114 576 +76 -15%
Totals 3,000 2,262 524 2,786 -214 7% Source: DENI Annual School Census
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Needs Model
15.3 Table 116 shows the projected need for places across subsets, within the Carrickfergus Council area
The projected pupil numbers within Years 8–12 should increase steadily from 2016 before levelling off between 2022 and 2025.
Table 116: Projected Pupil Numbers – Years 8-12
Carrickfergus Post-Primary Need Years 8-12 Council Area Total Subset A Subset B Subset C 2013 2,194 1,755 0 439 2014 2,165 1,731 0 434 2015 2,157 1,726 0 431 2016 2,125 1,698 0 427 2017 2,131 1,702 0 429 2018 2,178 1,738 0 440 2019 2,172 1,732 0 440 2020 2,176 1,733 0 443 2021 2,191 1,745 0 446 2022 2,178 1,733 0 445 2023 2,182 1,736 0 446 2024 2,181 1,735 0 446 2025 2,177 1,732 0 445 Source: DENI Table 117 shows that that the projected pupil numbers within Sixth Form will vary between a low of 393 and a high of 539 between 2013 and 2025. The figures show a consistent rise between 2021 and 2025
Table 117: Projected Pupil Numbers – Sixth Form
Carrickfergus Post-Primary Need Sixth Form Council Area Total Subset A Subset B Subset C 2013 479 396 0 83 2014 463 382 0 81 2015 442 365 0 77 2016 440 364 0 76 2017 452 375 0 77 2018 393 327 0 66 2019 393 326 0 67 2020 435 361 0 74 2021 422 350 0 72 2022 449 371 0 78 2023 466 385 0 81 2024 508 419 0 89 2025 539 444 0 95 Source: DENI
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Tables 118 and 119 show the projected need for pupil places within each subset in 2017 and 2025 as compared to actual need in 2012. In 2017 the Needs Model projects a significant upward trend in the requirement for pupil places.
Table 118: Projected Need (%) 2012 – 2017 – Years 8-12
Enrolment Projected Need % Increase / % Decrease Projected Need % Increase / % Decrease Subset October 2012 2017 from 2012-2017 2025 from 2012-2025 Subset A 1,878 1,702 -9% 1,732 -8% Subset B 0 0 n/a 0 n/a Subset C 462 429 -7% 445 -4% Source: Annual School Census / DENI Table 119: Projected Need (%) 2012 – 2017 – Sixth Form
Enrolment Projected Need % Increase / % Decrease Projected Need % Increase / % Decrease Subset October 2012 2017 from 2012-2017 2025 from 2012-2025 Subset A 332 375 13% 444 34% Subset B 0 0 n/a 0 n/a Subset C 114 77 -32% 95 -17% Source: Annual School Census / DENI Table 120 shows the projected need for pupil places within the Carrickfergus Council area.
Table 120: Projected Need (Pupil Places) 2012-2025
Sixth Form Years 8-12 & Sixth Form Subset Oct. 2012 2025 +/- Oct. 2012 2025 +/- Subset A 332 444 +112 2,210 2,176 -34 Subset B 0 0 +0 0 0 +0 Subset C 114 95 -19 576 540 -36 Total 446 539 +93 2,786 2,716 -70 Source: Annual School Census / DENI
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Enrolment Trends
15.4 Figure 34 shows the decline in actual enrolment to 2012 and projected increase in enrolment from 2016.
Figure 34: Overall Pupil Enrolment Profile – Actual and Projected 2009-2025
Figure 35 shows the enrolment trend for Subset A schools.
Figure 35: Subset A - Pupil Enrolment Profile – Actual and Projected 2009- 2025
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Figure 36 shows the enrolment trend for Subset C schools.
Figure 36: Subset C - Pupil Enrolment Profile – Actual and Projected 2009- 2025
There are no Subset B category schools in the Carrickfergus Council area.
Unfilled Places/Surplus Capacity
15.5 Table 121 provides an overview of the anticipated unfilled places in 2025 based on the Needs Model and an analysis of enrolment trends.
Table 121: Overview of the Anticipated Unfilled Places in 2025
2025 Projected Approved Enrolment 2025 Unfilled Places (-) / Subset Number Total Projected Need Additional Places (+) Subset A 2,500 2,176 -324 Subset B 0 0 +0 Subset C 500 540 +40 TOTAL 3,000 2,716 -284 Table 122 shows that there are a total of 304 unfilled places within the Controlled non-selective sector in Carrickfergus Council area. This is offset by a need in the Controlled Grammar and Grant Maintained Integrated Sectors for an additional 90 places.
The majority of the 304 Controlled non-selective sector unfilled places, are attributable to Carrickfergus College.
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Table 122: Post-primary Pupil Places 2012
Approved Total Enrolment Enrolment Unfilled Places (-) / % Unfilled Subset School Sector Number October 12 Additional Places (+) Places Controlled Grammar 800 814 +14 -2% Subset A Controlled Non-Selective 1,700 1,396 -304 18% Subset C Grant Maintained Integrated 500 576 +76 -15% Totals 3,000 2,786 -214 7% Cross Boundary Flows
15.6 The following table shows the number of pupils moving between Council areas in order to access school preferences. The movement of pupils across Council boundaries has been factored into the planning data for each area to ensure that the data properly reflects the developing need within that area.
An analysis by subset is as follows:
Table 123: Flow of Pupils Across Council Boundaries by Subset
Subset A Newtownabbey 495 Pupils Larne 266 Pupils Belfast 194 Pupils Newtownabbey 96 Pupils Larne 52 Pupils Others 11 Pupils Others 2 Pupils Total Outflow 743 Pupils Total Inflow 373 Pupils Subset B Belfast 64 Pupils None Others 1 Pupil Total Outflow 65 Pupils Total Inflow 0 Pupils Subset C Belfast 9 Pupils Larne 121 Pupils Others 5 Pupils Newtownabbey 80 Pupils Others 5 Pupils Total Outflow 14 Pupils Total Inflow 206 Pupils Source: DENI Needs Model There is a total outflow of 822 pupils and inflow of 579 pupils to the Carrickfergus Council area which represents a net loss of 243 pupils from the area.
The most significant flow of pupils is in Subset A with more than 700 pupils move to post-primary schools in Newtownabbey and Belfast Council areas. There is also an inflow of over 260 pupils from the Larne Council area.
Subset C also shows an inflow of over 120 pupils from the Larne Council area.
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High Level Outcomes of Viability Audit
15.7 All post-primary schools within the Carrickfergus Council area were subject to a Viability Audit in February 2012. The NEELB has updated this data; area profiles are included in the Appendices. This information will be updated on an annual basis. A summary of the information is as follows:
Quality Educational Experience
15.8 None of the non-selective post-primary schools have less than 40% of pupils achieving 5A*- C GCSE.
No non-selective post-primary school has less than 25% of pupils achieving 5A*- C GCSE including English and Maths.
There are no post-primary schools in the Carrickfergus Council area in Formal Intervention.
Stable Enrolment Trends
15.9 The enrolment in one post-primary school in the Carrickfergus Council area currently falls below the minimum threshold of 500 pupils (Years 8-12), as specified in the Sustainable Schools Policy.
Two of the 4 schools which have a Sixth Form, have enrolments which fall below the minimum threshold of 100 pupils.
Sound Financial Position
15.10 Both of the Controlled schools are operating within the LMS financial limits (Level 4)
NB. No figures available for VG or GMI.
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Entitlement Framework
15.11 Tables 124 and 125 provide a breakdown of courses available to pupils in post-primary schools in the Carrickfergus Council area for 2012/2013.
Table 124: Entitlement Framework Provision 2012-2013 Sector Number Number Total Number Number Total General Applied Courses General Applied Courses Courses Courses Year 11 Courses Courses Year 13 Year 11 Year 11 Year 13 Year 13 Subset A Carrickfergus College 9 13 22 9 15 24 Downshire School 10 16 26 9 17 26 Carrickfergus GS 12 8 20 13 13 26 Subset C Ulidia Int. College 9 15 24 10 22 32
Table 125: Entitlement Framework Variances (2012-2013) Sector 12/13 Variance 12/13 Variance 12/13 Variance 12/13 Variance KS4 from 2013 Post-16 from KS4 from 2015 Post-16 2015 Target 2013 Target Target Target Subset A Carrickfergus College +4 +3 -2 -3 Downshire School +8 +5 +2 -1 Carrickfergus GS +2 +5 -4 -1 Subset C Ulidia Int. College +6 +11 - +5
First Preferences 15.12 Table 126 shows the first preference applications for admissions for the 3 year period 2011/12 to 2013/14 compared with the approved admissions number.
The figures indicate that Carrickfergus Grammar School (selective) and Ulidia Integrated College (non-selective) have been over-subscribed in each of the 3 years whereas the remaining schools have been consistently under- subscribed.
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Table 126: First Preference Applications
3 Year School Approved First Preference Applications Variance Average Type Admissions School Number 11/12 12/13 13/14 11/12 12/13 13/14 Variance
Carrickfergus Grammar CG 116 158 141 124 42 25 8 25 Carrickfergus College C 160 60 91 82 -100 -69 -78 -82 Downshire C 160 93 78 53 -67 -82 -107 -85 Ulidia Integrated College GMI 80 97 107 98 17 27 18 21
Summary of the Area Profile
15.13 Pupil enrolment in one school falls below the minimum threshold for Years 8- 12.
Sixth Form provision in two schools falls below the minimum threshold.
The schools are operating within financial limits.
There is a continuing need to support young people from areas of social deprivation.
There is a need to provide appropriate education pathways for all young people.
Future Needs Analysis - Addressing Viability Issues
15.14 The following analysis and proposals seeks to address identified viability and sustainability issues and to secure the required number of places in each of the 3 subsets. In addition options are provided which seek to address issues across subsets.
Subset A There is a need to reduce the number of places by 324.
There is a need to address the Sixth Form enrolment in two schools which do not meet the minimum threshold.
Subset C There is a need to increase the number of places by 40.
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Rationale and Proposals for Future Provision of Post-primary Education in the Carrickfergus Council area
15.15 The proposals for post-primary provision in the Carrickfergus Council area reflect the responses and consensus which emerged from local consultation in supporting the move to a single controlled non-selective school. This will enable all pupils to have access to high quality education whilst meeting the demands of parental choice. The proposals for Carrickfergus provide the predicted number of places to reflect the population trend and detail from the Needs Model. They also take fully account of the migration figures and recognise the pattern of parental choice to seek places, particularly Grammar School places, in Newtownabbey and Belfast. The proposals also recognise the parental choices of those seeking places in the Grant Maintained Integrated School, particularly from the Catholic Community in the context of the closure in recent years of Catholic Maintained provision in Larne. 293 responses to consultation on the draft area plan were received - 263 online, 30 hard copy and 94 written submissions. The key issues emerging from consultation are summarised as follows: • Consultation indicated support for moving to a single Controlled Non- selective school combining Carrickfergus College and Downshire School • Parental demand for places at Ulidia Grant Maintained Integrated School • Potential to develop a controlled education new build single campus containing the Grammar School, the combined single Controlled Non Selective School with the additional possibility of including Primary and Special Education provision on this site
The rationale and proposals for each school in the Carrickfergus Council area are listed in the following pages.
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Carrickfergus Rationale Proposal Council area – Subset A • • Carrickfergus One of the key emerging issues is the potential to Carrickfergus Grammar School to continue as Grammar develop a controlled education new build single an 11-19 school (880 pupils by 2025). campus containing the Grammar School, the combined single Controlled Non Selective School with the additional possibility of including Primary and Special Education provision on this site • The proposals for post-primary provision in the Carrickfergus area will reflect the responses and consensus which emerged from local consultation in supporting the move to a single controlled non- selective school. This will enable all pupils to have access to high quality education whilst meeting the demands of parental choice. • The proposals for Carrickfergus provide the predicted number of places to reflect the population trend and detail from the Needs Model. They also take fully account of the migration figures and recognise the pattern of parental choice to seek places, particularly Grammar School places, in Newtownabbey and Belfast. Carrickfergus • One of the key emerging issues from the • Carrickfergus College and Downshire School to College consultation indicated support for moving to a single work towards becoming a single controlled Downshire School controlled non selective school combining school by 2017/18 (1430 pupils). Carrickfergus College and Downshire School also
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the potential to develop a controlled education new build single campus containing the Grammar School, the combined single Controlled Non Selective School with the additional possibility of including Primary and Special Education provision on this site. • The 6th form enrolment at Downshire School has been below the threshold of 100 for the past 3 years. • The 6th form enrolment of Carrickfergus College in 2010/11 was below the threshold of 100 in 2010/11 but has moved above the threshold in the last 2 years. • The proposals for post-primary provision in the Carrickfergus area will reflect the responses and consensus which emerged from local consultation in supporting the move to a single controlled non- selective school. This will enable all pupils to have access to high quality education whilst meeting the demands of parental choice. • The proposals for Carrickfergus provide the predicted number of places to reflect the population trend and detail from the Needs Model. They also take fully account of the migration figures and recognise the pattern of parental choice to seek places, particularly Grammar School places, in Newtownabbey and Belfast. • The proposal to move to a single new non-selective
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Controlled School to replace provision currently being made in Carrickfergus College and Downshire School by 2017/18 reflects the following:
• the potential impact of the predicted reduction in the number of pupils in the area • the predicted continued full enrolment to the Grammar School • the potential growth of Ulidia Integrated College to address the trend of over subscription by parents seeking a place in the College. • the high level of support for this proposal in the response to consultation • The need to seek new facilities for the Controlled Sector is highlighted as is the potential for single campus with sharing of facilities between the Grammar School and the proposed non selective school.
Carrickfergus Rationale Proposal Council area – Subset C • • Ulidia College One of the key emerging issue is the parental Ulidia College to continue as an 11-19 school demand for places at Ulidia Grant Maintained (660 pupils). Integrated School • The proposals also recognise the parental choices of those seeking places in the Grant Maintained Integrated School, particularly from the Catholic
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Community in the context of the closure in recent years of Catholic Maintained provision in Larne. • The proposal for an increased enrolment to Ulidia Integrated College reflects the popularity of the school as illustrated in the application for places trend and in the responses to consultation.
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Chapter 16 Larne Council Area
16.1 The estimated population of the Larne Council area based on the 2011 census figures was 32,180, a 4.37% increase on the 2001 census count of 30,832. There are 3 post-primary schools with the Larne Council area: • 1 Controlled Non-Selective School • 1 Voluntary Grammar School • 1 Maintained Non-Selective School
Table 127 shows that of the 3 post-primary schools in the Larne Council area, two fall below the enrolment threshold of 500 pupils in Years 8-12. It is important to note that in one school the enrolment number set by the Department of Education does not allow the school to achieve this threshold.
Table 127: Enrolment Threshold – Years 8-12 (2012/13) Enrolment – Years 8-12 Number of Schools Less than 300 pupils 0 300 – 399 0 400 – 499 1 500+ 2 Total 3
Table 128 shows that one of the 3 schools in the area which offer Sixth Form has an enrolment below the minimum threshold of 100.
Table 128: Enrolment Threshold – Sixth Form (2012/13) Enrolment – Sixth Form Number of Schools Less than 40 pupils 0 40 – 59 1 60 – 79 0 80 – 99 0 100+ 2 Total 3
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Non-Selective / Selective Schools
16.2 Table 129 shows the non-selective and selective schools within the Larne Council area.
Analysis of the total enrolment data shows that 24% of pupils attend a non- selective school, 40% attend a bi-lateral school and 36% attend a selective school in the Larne Council area. The percentage of pupil enrolment can be further analysed as follows:
• Controlled Non-Selective 24%
• Voluntary Grammar 36%
• Maintained Non-Selective 40%
Table 129: Post-primary Provision 2012/13
Approved Enrolment Enrolment Years 8-12 Enrolment Sixth Form Total Enrolment Unfilled Places (-) / % Unfilled School Number October 12 October 12 October 12 Additional Places (+) Places Subset A - Controlled (Non-Selective) Larne High 750 428 58 486 -264 35% Subset A - Voluntary Grammar (Selective) Larne Grammar 725 551 189 740 +15 -2% Subset B - Maintained (Bi-Lateral) St Killian's College 830 660 146 806 -24 3%
Totals 2,305 1,639 393 2,032 -273 12% Source: DENI Annual School Census
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Needs Model
16.3 Table 130 shows the projected need for places across subsets, within the Larne Council area.
It is expected that the projected pupil numbers within Years 8–12 will increase steadily from 2015 before levelling off between 2022 and 2025.
Table 130: Projected Pupil Numbers – Years 8-12
Larne Council Post-Primary Need Years 8-12 Area Total Subset A Subset B Subset C 2013 1,511 901 610 0 2014 1,514 912 602 0 2015 1,471 885 586 0 2016 1,475 888 587 0 2017 1,488 899 589 0 2018 1,539 932 607 0 2019 1,532 915 617 0 2020 1,557 933 624 0 2021 1,552 925 627 0 2022 1,559 925 634 0 2023 1,564 925 639 0 2024 1,563 924 639 0 2025 1,561 923 638 0 Source: DENI Table 131 shows that the projected pupil numbers within Sixth Form will vary between a low of 359 and a high of 486 between 2013 and 2025. The figures show a sharp rise between 2023 and 2025.
Table 131: Projected Pupil Numbers – Sixth Form
Larne Council Post-Primary Need Sixth Form Area Total Subset A Subset B Subset C 2013 468 284 184 0 2014 448 266 182 0 2015 421 247 174 0 2016 426 252 174 0 2017 406 242 164 0 2018 359 211 148 0 2019 386 236 150 0 2020 396 238 158 0 2021 402 238 164 0 2022 436 264 172 0 2023 433 262 171 0 2024 464 281 183 0 2025 486 294 192 0 Source: DENI 159
Table 132 and 133 show the projected need for pupil places within each subset in 2017 and 2025 as compared to actual need in 2012. In 2017 the Needs Model projects a significant upward trend in the requirement for pupil places.
Table 132: Projected Need (%) 2012 – 2017 – Years 8-12
Enrolment Projected Need % Increase / % Decrease Projected Need % Increase / % Decrease Subset October 2012 2017 from 2012-2017 2025 from 2012-2025 Subset A 979 899 -8% 923 -6% Subset B 660 589 -11% 638 -3% Subset C 0 0 n/a 0 n/a Source: Annual School Census / DENI Table 133: Projected Need (%) 2012 – 2017 – Sixth Form
Enrolment Projected Need % Increase / % Decrease Projected Need % Increase / % Decrease Subset October 2012 2017 from 2012-2017 2025 from 2012-2025 Subset A 247 242 -2% 294 19% Subset B 146 164 12% 192 32% Subset C 0 0 n/a 0 n/a Source: Annual School Census / DENI Table 134 summarises projected need for pupil places within the Larne Council area.
Table 134: Projected Need (Pupil Places) 2012-2025
Sixth Form Years 8-12 & Sixth Form Subset Oct. 2012 2025 +/- Oct. 2012 2025 +/- Subset A 247 294 +47 1,226 1,217 -9 Subset B 146 192 +46 806 830 +24 Subset C 0 0 +0 0 0 +0 Total 393 486 +93 2,032 2,047 +15 Source: Annual School Census / DENI
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Enrolment Trends
16.4 Figure 37 shows the decline in actual enrolment to 2012 and projected increase in enrolment from 2015.
Figure 37: Overall Pupil Enrolment Profile – Actual and Projected 2009-2025
Figure 38 shows the enrolment trend for Subset A schools.
Figure 38: Subset A - Pupil Enrolment Profile – Actual and Projected 2009- 2025
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Figure 39 shows the enrolment trend for Subset B schools.
Figure 39: Subset B - Pupil Enrolment Profile – Actual and Projected 2009- 2025
There are no Subset C category schools in the Larne Council area.
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Unfilled Places/Surplus Capacity
16.5 Table 135 provides an overview of the anticipated unfilled places in 2025 based on the Needs Model and an analysis of enrolment trends.
Table 135: Overview of the Anticipated Unfilled Places in 2025
2025 Projected Approved Enrolment 2025 Unfilled Places (-) / Subset Number Total Projected Need Additional Places (+) Subset A 1,475 1,217 -258 Subset B 830 830 +0 Subset C 0 0 +0 TOTAL 2,305 2,047 -258 Table 136 shows that there are a total of 264 unfilled places within the Controlled non-selective sector in the Larne Council area. This is partly offset by a need in the Voluntary Grammar Sector for an additional 15 places.
The 264 Controlled non-selective sector unfilled places are attributable to Larne High School.
Table 136: Post-Primary Pupil Places 2012
Approved Total Enrolment Enrolment Unfilled Places (-) / % Unfilled Subset School Sector Number October 12 Additional Places (+) Places Controlled Non-Selective 750 486 -264 35% Subset A Voluntary Grammar 725 740 +15 -2% Subset B Maintained Non-Selective 830 806 -24 3% Totals 2,305 2,032 -273 12%
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Cross Boundary Flows
16.6 Table 137 shows the number of pupils moving between Council areas in order to access school preferences. The movement of pupils across Council boundaries has been factored into the planning data for each area to ensure that the data properly reflects the developing need within that area.
An analysis by subset is as follows:
Table 137: Flow of Pupils Across Council Boundaries by Subset
There is a significant outflow of pupils from the Larne Council area to other Council areas. There is a total outflow of 811 pupils and inflow of 409 pupils which represents a net loss of 402 pupils to the area.
The most significant flow of pupils is in Subset A where 425 pupils move to post-primary schools in the Carrickfergus and Newtownabbey Council areas. A further 86 pupils moved to post-primary schools in the Ballymena and Belfast City Council areas.
Subset B shows an inflow of over 250 pupils from the Moyle Council area while an even number of pupils travel between Ballymena and Larne Council areas in this subset.
Subset C shows an outflow of 218 pupils mainly to the Carrickfergus and Ballymena Council areas.
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High Level Outcomes of Viability Audit
16.7 All post-primary schools within the Larne Council area were subject to a Viability Audit in February 2012. The NEELB has updated this data; area profiles are included in the Appendices. This information will be updated on an annual basis. A summary of the information is as follows:
Quality Educational Experience
16.8 One non-selective post-primary school has less than 40% of pupils achieving 5A*- C GCSE.
One non-selective post-primary schools has less than 25% of pupils achieving 5A*- C GCSE including English and Maths.
There are no post-primary schools in the Larne Council area in Formal Intervention.
Stable Enrolment Trends
16.9 One post-primary school in the Larne Council area currently fall below the minimum enrolment threshold of 500 pupils (Years 8-12), as specified in the Sustainable Schools Policy.
Of the 3 schools which have a Sixth Form, one falls below the enrolment threshold of 100 pupils.
Sound Financial Position
16.10 Both non-selective post-primary schools are operating within the LMS financial limits (Level 4).
NB. No figures available for VG or GMI.
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Entitlement Framework
16.11 Tables 138 and 139 provide an analysis of courses available to pupils in post- primary schools in the Larne Council area for 2012/2013.
Table 138: Entitlement Framework Provision 2012-2013 Sector Number Number Total Number Number Total General Applied Courses General Applied Courses Courses Courses Year 11 Courses Courses Year 13 Year 11 Year 11 Year 13 Year 13 Subset A Larne HS 8 9 17 12 11 23 Larne GS 11 6 17 12 8 20 Subset B St Killian’s College 11 16 27 12 10 22
Table 139: Entitlement Framework Variances (2012-2013) Sector 12/13 Variance 12/13 Variance 12/13 Variance 12/13 Variance KS4 from 2013 Post-16 from KS4 from 2015 Post-16 2015 Target 2013 Target Target Target Subset A Larne HS -1 +2 -7 -4 Larne GS -1 -1 -7 -7 Subset B St Killian’s College +9 +1 +3 -5
First Preferences
16.12 Table 140 shows the first preference applications for admissions for the 3 year period 2011/12 to 2013/14 compared with the approved admissions number.
Table 140: First Preference Applications
3 Year School Approved First Preference Applications Variance Average Type Admissions School Number 11/12 12/13 13/14 11/12 12/13 13/14 Variance
Larne High C 135 68 69 63 -67 -66 -72 -68 Larne Grammar VG 110 113 110 121 3 0 11 5 St Killian's College M 140 136 116 114 -4 -24 -26 -18 The figures indicate that Larne Grammar School (selective) has been over- subscribed in 2 of the 3 years whereas the remaining schools have been consistently under-subscribed.
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Summary of the Area Profile
16.13 One school has less than 40% of pupils achieving 5A* - C GCSE
One school has less than 25% of pupils achieving 5A* - C GCSE including English and Maths.
Pupil enrolment in one school falls below the 500 minimum threshold for Years 8-12
Sixth Form provision in one school falls below the 100 pupil minimum threshold.
The schools are operating within financial limits.
There is a continuing need to support young people from areas of social deprivation.
There is a need to provide appropriate education pathways for all young people.
Future Needs Analysis - Addressing Viability Issues
16.14 The following analysis and proposals seeks to address identified viability and sustainability issues and to secure the required number of places in each of the 3 subsets. In addition options are provided which seek to address issues across subsets.
Subset A There is a need to reduce the number of places by 258.
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Rationale and Proposals for Future Provision of Post-primary Education in The Larne Council area 16.16 The responses received strongly favour the status quo. The proposals for post-primary provision in the Larne Council area will reflect the need to provide a range of pathways in order to meet the needs of all pupils while recognising the rurality of the area. The proposals for Larne recognises the population trend indicated in the Needs Model and takes account of the statistics on inward and outward migration in determining the number of school places likely to be required up to 2025. 981 responses to consultation on the draft area plan were received - 978 online and 3 written submissions. The key issues emerging from consultation are summarised as follows: • Isolation of the area • Impact of current enrolment patterns • Consultation indicated a strong desire for the continuation of Grammar School provision • Recognition that the town needs two sustainable schools which can work together to meet the needs of young people • Need for enhanced Further Education provision The rationale and proposals for each school in the Larne Council area are listed in the following pages.
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Larne Council Rationale Proposal area – Subset A • • Larne Grammar One of the key issues emerging from Larne Grammar School to continue as an 11-19 consultation indicated a strong desire school (770 pupils). continuation of Grammar School provision. • The proposals fully reflect the outcomes of consultation, in that they maintain a stand-alone Grammar School and a Controlled non-selective school in the town. They recognise the existing partnership and positive working relationship between the two schools. The re-balancing of the number of places in Larne Grammar School and Larne High School seeks to address the potential impact, in a reducing population prediction between 2013 and 2024, of enabling the Grammar School to fill their capacity, regardless of the academic ability of applicants, in the non-selective school which is currently below the enrolment threshold of 500 and the Post 16 threshold of 100. • Larne High The proposals fully reflect the outcomes of • Larne High School to continue as an 11-19 school consultation, in that they maintain a stand-alone (650 pupils). Grammar School and a Controlled non-selective school in the town. They recognise the existing partnership and positive working relationship between the two schools. The re-balancing of
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the number of places in Larne Grammar School and Larne High School seeks to address the potential impact, in a reducing population prediction between 2013 and 2024, of enabling the Grammar School to fill their capacity, regardless of the academic ability of applicants, in the non-selective school which is currently below the enrolment threshold of 500 and the Post 16 threshold of 100. • The 6th form enrolment in Larne High School has been below the threshold of 100 for the past 3 years.
Larne Council Rationale Proposal area – Subset A • • St Killian’s There is no proposal in respect of St Killian’s St Killian’s College will continue as an 11-19 co- College giving the recent creation of the school through educational school to serve pupils from the Glens the strategic re-alignment of Catholic Maintained and East Antrim area. provision.
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Chapter 17 Newtownabbey Council Area
17.1 The estimated population of Newtownabbey Council area based on the 2011 census figures was 85,139, a 6.43% increase on the 2001 census count of 79,995.
There are 7 post-primary schools with the Newtownabbey Council area: • Controlled Non-Selective Schools • 1 Controlled Grammar School • 2 Voluntary Grammar Schools • 1 Maintained Post-Primary School • 1 Grant Maintained Integrated Post-Primary School
Table 141 shows that of the 7 post-primary schools in the Newtownabbey Council area, one falls below the enrolment threshold of 500 pupils in Years 8-12.
Table 141: Enrolment Threshold – Years 8-12 (2012/13) Enrolment – Years 8-12 Number of Schools Less than 300 pupils 1 300 – 399 0 400 – 499 0 500+ 6 Total 7
Table 142 shows that of the 6 schools which offer Sixth Form, two have pupil enrolment below the minimum threshold of 100.
Table 142: Enrolment Threshold – Sixth Form (2012/13) Enrolment – Sixth Form Number of Schools Less than 40 pupils 1 40 – 59 0 60 – 79 1 80 – 99 0 100+ 4 Total 6
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Non-selective / selective schools
17.2 Table 143 shows the non-selective and selective schools within the Newtownabbey Council area.
Analysis of the total enrolment data shows that 61% of pupils attend non- selective schools and 39% attend selective schools in Newtownabbey Council. The percentage of pupil enrolment can be further analysed as follows:
• Controlled Non-Selective 50%
• Controlled Grammar 22%
• Voluntary Grammar 17%;
• Maintained Non-Selective 11%;
Table 143: Post-primary Provision 2012/13
Approved Enrolment Enrolment Years 8-12 Enrolment Sixth Form Total Enrolment Unfilled Places (-) / % Unfilled School Number October 12 October 12 October 12 Additional Places (+) Places Subset A - Controlled (Non-Selective) Ballyclare Secondary 960 882 155 1,037 +77 -8% Glengormley High 1,250 653 218 871 -379 30% Monkstown Community 820 588 31 619 -201 25% Newtownabbey Community High 650 223 0 223 -427 66% Subset A - Controlled Grammar (Selective) Ballyclare High 1,210 931 292 1,223 +13 -1% Subset A - Voluntary Grammar (Selective) Belfast High 930 698 238 936 +6 -1% Subset B - Maintained (Non-Selective) Edmund Rice College 600 533 75 608 +8 -1%
Totals 6,420 4,508 1,009 5,517 -903 14% Source: DENI Annual School Census
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Needs Model
17.3 Table 144 shows the projected need for places across subsets, within the Newtownabbey Council area
It is expected that the projected pupil numbers within Years 8–12 will increase steadily from 2015 before levelling off between 2023 and 2025.
Table 144: Projected Pupil Numbers – Years 8-12
Newtownabbey Post-Primary Need Years 8-12 Council Area Total Subset A Subset B Subset C 2013 4,445 3,956 489 0 2014 4,383 3,902 481 0 2015 4,370 3,890 480 0 2016 4,421 3,936 485 0 2017 4,459 3,971 488 0 2018 4,586 4,088 498 0 2019 4,758 4,241 517 0 2020 4,886 4,356 530 0 2021 4,969 4,430 539 0 2022 5,060 4,512 548 0 2023 5,070 4,519 551 0 2024 5,064 4,514 550 0 2025 5,057 4,508 549 0 Source: DENI Table 145 shows that the pupil numbers within Sixth Form is projected to fluctuate between 2013 and 2025.
Table 145: Projected Pupil Numbers – Sixth Form
Newtownabbey Post-Primary Need Sixth Form Council Area Total Subset A Subset B Subset C 2013 997 910 87 0 2014 1,005 917 88 0 2015 984 900 84 0 2016 945 868 77 0 2017 912 838 74 0 2018 900 825 75 0 2019 871 800 71 0 2020 905 830 75 0 2021 960 882 78 0 2022 964 887 77 0 2023 1,038 954 84 0 2024 1,134 1,040 94 0 2025 1,198 1,097 101 0 Source: DENI
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17.4 Tables 146 and 147 show the projected need for pupil places within each subset in 2017 and 2025 as compared to actual need in 2012. In 2017 the Needs Model projects a significant upward trend in the requirement for pupil places.
Table 146: Projected Need (%) 2012 – 2017 – Years 8-12
Enrolment Projected Need % Increase / % Decrease Projected Need % Increase / % Decrease Subset October 2012 2017 from 2012-2017 2025 from 2012-2025 Subset A 3,975 3,971 0% 4,508 13% Subset B 533 488 -8% 549 3% Subset C 0 0 n/a 0 n/a Source: Annual School Census / DENI Table 147: Projected Need (%) 2012 – 2017 – Sixth Form
Enrolment Projected Need % Increase / % Decrease Projected Need % Increase / % Decrease Subset October 2012 2017 from 2012-2017 2025 from 2012-2025 Subset A 934 838 -10% 1,097 17% Subset B 75 74 -1% 101 35% Subset C 0 0 n/a 0 n/a Source: Annual School Census / DENI Table 148 shows projected need for pupil places within the Newtownabbey Council area.
Table 148: Projected Need (Pupil Places) 2012-2025
Sixth Form Years 8-12 & Sixth Form Subset Oct. 2012 2025 +/- Oct. 2012 2025 +/- Subset A 934 1,097 +163 4,909 5,605 +696 Subset B 75 101 +26 608 650 +42 Subset C 0 0 +0 0 0 +0 Total 1,009 1,198 +189 5,517 6,255 +738 Source: Annual School Census / DENI
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Enrolment Trends
17.5 Figure 40 shows the decline in actual enrolment to 2012 and projected increase in enrolment from 2015.
Figure 40: Overall Pupil Enrolment Profile – Actual and Projected 2009-2025
Figure 41 shows the enrolment trend for Subset A schools.
Figure 41: Subset A - Pupil Enrolment Profile – Actual and Projected 2009- 2025
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Figure 42 shows the enrolment trend for Subset B schools.
Figure 42: Subset B - Pupil Enrolment Profile – Actual and Projected 2009- 2025
There are no Subset C category schools in the Newtownabbey Council area
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Unfilled Places/Surplus Capacity
17.6 Table 149 provides an overview of the anticipated unfilled places in 2025 based on the Needs Model and an analysis of enrolment trends.
Table 149: Overview of the Anticipated Unfilled Places in 2025
2025 Projected Approved Enrolment 2025 Unfilled Places (-) / Subset Number Total Projected Need Additional Places (+) Subset A 5,820 5,605 -215 Subset B 600 650 +50 Subset C 0 0 +0 TOTAL 6,420 6,255 -165 Table 150 shows that there are a total of 930 unfilled places within the Controlled non-selective sector in the Carrickfergus Council area. This is partly offset by a relatively small need in the Controlled Grammar, Voluntary Grammar and Maintained non-selective sectors for an additional 27 places.
Table 150: Post-primary Pupil Places 2012
Approved Total Enrolment Enrolment Unfilled Places (-) / % Unfilled Subset School Sector Number October 12 Additional Places (+) Places Controlled Grammar 1,210 1,223 +13 -1% Subset A Controlled Non-Selective 3,680 2,750 -930 25% Voluntary Grammar 930 936 +6 -1% Subset B Maintained Non-Selective 600 608 +8 -1% Totals 6,420 5,517 -903 14% The majority of the 930 Controlled non-selective sector unfilled places are attributable to Glengormley High School (379), Monkstown Community School (201) and Newtownabbey Community High School (427).
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Cross Boundary Flows
17.7 Table 151 shows the number of pupils moving between Council areas in order to access school preferences. The movement of pupils across Council boundaries has been factored into the planning data for each area to ensure that the data properly reflects the developing need within that area.
An analysis by subset is as follows:
Table 151: Flow of Pupils Across Council Boundaries by Subset
There is a major outflow of pupils from the Newtownabbey Council area to other Council areas. There is a total outflow of 2,312 pupils and inflow of 1,637 pupils, which represents a net loss of 675 pupils from the area.
The most significant flow of pupils is in Subsets A and B. In Subset A over 760 pupils travel to post-primary schools in Belfast City Council area with over 168 others moving to the Carrickfergus and Antrim Council areas. Against that outflow significant numbers of pupils are travelling into the Newtownabbey Council area schools from Carrickfergus, Antrim, Belfast and Larne Council areas.
In Subset B the Belfast City Council area accounts for a net outflow of 650 pupils.
In Subset C the Belfast City Council area again accounts for an outflow of 235 pupils with smaller numbers travelling to Carrickfergus, Ballymena and Antrim Council areas.
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High Level Outcomes of Viability Audit
17.8 All post-primary schools within the Newtownabbey Council area were subject to a Viability Audit in February 2012. The NEELB has updated this data; area profiles are attached in The Appendices. This information will be updated on an annual basis. A summary of the information is as follows:
Quality Educational Experience
17.9 No non-selective post-primary schools have less than 40% of pupils achieving 5A*- C GCSE.
3 non-selective post-primary schools have less than 25% of pupils achieving 5A*- C GCSE including English and Maths.
There is one post-primary school in the Newtownabbey Council area in Formal Intervention.
Stable Enrolment Trends
17.10 The enrolment in one post-primary school in the Newtownabbey Council area currently falls below the minimum threshold of 500 pupils (Years 8-12), as specified in the Sustainable Schools Policy.
Of the 6 schools which have a Sixth Form, two fall below the minimum enrolment threshold of 100 pupils.
Sound Financial Position
17.11 One school has a projected deficit greater than 5% and less than 25% or greater than £75,000 (Level 3)
5 out of the 6 schools are operating within the LMS financial limits (Level 4).
NB. No figures available for VG or GMI.
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Entitlement Framework
17.12 Tables 152 and 153 provide a breakdown of courses available to pupils in post-primary schools in the Newtownabbey Council area for 2012/2013
Table 152: Entitlement Framework Provision 2012-2013
Sector Number Number Total Number Number Total General Applied Courses General Applied Courses Courses Courses Year 11 Courses Courses Year 13 Year 11 Year 11 Year 13 Year 13 Subset A Ballyclare Secondary 11 15 26 8 14 22 Glengormley HS 11 32 43 11 16 27 Monkstown CHS 8 23 31 5 10 15 NCHS 5 21 26 - - - Ballyclare HS 15 11 26 14 11 25 Belfast HS 18 11 29 16 13 29 Edmund Rice College 10 13 23 8 17 25
Table 153: Entitlement Framework Variances (2012-2013)
Sector 12/13 Variance 12/13 Variance 12/13 Variance 12/13 Variance KS4 from 2013 Post-16 from KS4 from 2015 Post-16 2015 Target 2013 Target Target Target Subset A Ballyclare Secondary +8 +1 +2 -5 Glengormley HS +25 +6 +19 - Monkstown CHS +13 -6 +7 -12 NCHS +8 - +2 - Ballyclare HS +8 +4 +2 -2 Belfast HS +11 +8 +5 +2 Edmund Rice College +5 +4 -1 -2
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First Preferences
17.13 Table 154 shows the first preference applications for admissions for the 3 year period 2011/12 to 2013/14 compared with the approved admissions number.
Table 154: First Preference Applications
3 Year School Approved First Preference Applications Variance Average Type Admissions School Number 11/12 12/13 13/14 11/12 12/13 13/14 Variance
Ballyclare High CG 186 204 205 194 18 19 8 15 Ballyclare Secondary C 180 183 158 183 3 -22 3 -5 Glengormley High C 210 90 89 118 -120 -121 -92 -111 Monkstown Community C 164 86 89 61 -78 -75 -103 -85 Newtownabbey Community High C 130 42 40 31 -88 -90 -99 -92 Belfast High VG 136 172 146 171 36 10 35 27 Edmund Rice College M 120 62 70 68 -58 -50 -52 -53 The figures indicate that Ballyclare High School and Belfast High School (both selective) have been over-subscribed during the period whereas the remaining schools have been under-subscribed.
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Summary of the Area Profile
17.14 3 schools have less than 25% of pupils achieving 5A* - C GCSE including English and Maths.
Pupil enrolment in one school falls below the minimum threshold for Years 8- 12.
Sixth Form provision in two schools falls below the minimum enrolment threshold.
One school has a projected deficit greater than 5% and less than 25% or greater than £75,000 (level 3).
There is a continuing need to support young people from areas of social deprivation.
There is a need to provide appropriate education pathways for all young people.
Future Needs Analysis - Addressing Viability Issues
17.15 The following analysis and proposals seeks to address identified viability and sustainability issues and to secure the required number of places in each of the 3 subsets. In addition options are provided which seek to address issues across subsets.
Subset A 17.16 There is a need to reduce the number of places by 215.
There is a need to address educational underachievement.
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Rationale and Proposals for Future Provision of Post-Primary Education in the Newtownabbey Council area
17.17 The North Eastern Education and Library Board authorised officers to prioritise this area and to move ahead of the area plan in order to protect the educational interests of young people. A range of options were formulated with all education sector partners, school principals and Boards of Governors, and were subject to public consultation at local level. The proposals for Newtownabbey are set in the context of the predicted number of places to be required, as indicated by the Needs Model, taking account of patterns of migration in the area, particularly given its close proximity to Belfast and Antrim Council areas. 981 responses to consultation on the draft area plan were received - 978 online and 3 written submissions. The key issues emerging from consultation are summarised as follows: • Consensus around the option to consolidate controlled non-selective provision into two schools • Area contains three already sustainable schools • Challenges facing Newtownabbey Community High School The rationale and proposals for each school in the Newtownabbey Council area are listed in the following pages.
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Newtownabbey Rationale Proposal Council area – Subset A • • Ballyclare High The proposals recognise the current and predicted Ballyclare High School will continue as an 11-19 viability and sustainability of Ballyclare High. school extending in stages to a maximum enrolment of 1331 pupils by the year 2025. • • Ballyclare The proposals recognise the current and predicted Ballyclare Secondary School will continue as an Secondary viability and sustainability of Ballyclare Secondary. 11-19 school extending in stages to a maximum enrolment of 1100 pupils by the year 2025. • • Belfast High The proposals recognise the current and predicted Belfast High School will continue as an 11-19 viability and sustainability of Belfast High. school extending in stages to a maximum enrolment of 1023 pupils by the year 2025. • • Glengormley Glengormley High School will continue as an 11- High 19 school with the enrolment extending in stages to a maximum of 1650 pupils by the year 2025. • The key issues emerging from the consultation are Monkstown • Monkstown Community School and Community consensus around the option to consolidate controlled Newtownabbey Community High School will non-selective provision into two schools and the combine to form a single school from 1 Newtownabbey challenges facing Newtownabbey Community High Community High September 2014 with an initial maximum School. enrolment of 850 pupils which will extend in • Monkstown Community School entered Formal stages to a maximum enrolment of 1100 pupils Intervention in 17 December 2012. by the year 2025. The work of Rosstulla School • th The 6 form enrolment in Monkstown Community will be closely aligned with the combined school. School has been below the threshold of 100 for the past 4 years. • The enrolment of Newtownabbey Community High School has been below the threshold of 500 for the
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past 4 years.
• The budget of Newtownabbey Community High School was 10.96% in deficit at 2011/12. • The proposal to cease the current provision at Monkstown Community School and Newtownabbey Community High School recognises the sustainability challenge for Newtownabbey Community High school and the Post 16 challenge to sustainability at Monkstown Community School. • This proposal reflects the stated position of both schools as indicated in consultation response that there is unanimous support for the establishment of a new Controlled Non-Selective School to ensure the future viability and sustainability of this provision in the area. Newtownabbey Rationale Proposal Council area – Subset B • Edmund Rice The proposal for Edmund Rice College reflects the • The Trustees recommend that there should be stated position of the Catholic Commission for post- five 11-19 Catholic Maintained post-primary primary education and the Catholic Council for schools in the North Belfast - Glengormley Maintained schools. area, at least three of which should be co- • Edmund Rice College serves a large number of pupils educational with the location of these to be who reside in the BELB area and as a consequence determined following an in-depth review. The planning for this school is closely linked to proposals in review will be completed in the 2012/13 school the BELB, North Belfast area. year. This process will form an integral part of
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the wider strategic provision in the area. Development work on this option commenced June 2013.
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Chapter 18 Summary of Proposals The NEELB consider that the following proposals currently meet the Terms of Reference for Area Planning and the Sustainable Schools Policy. However, the Board would acknowledge that school provision exists within a challenging and changing demographic, economic and social climate. In progressing the following proposals, the Board will take full account of updated information in relation to school enrolments, pupil attainment and school finances and will amend plans to reflect changes as local circumstances prevail.
Area Proposal Antrim • Antrim Grammar School will continue to be an 11-19 co-educational school (740 pupils). • Parkhall Controlled Integrated College will continue to be an 11-16 co- educational school (735 pupils). • Review post-primary provision in Crumlin Integrated College • St Benedict’s (Randalstown), St Louis’ Grammar School and St Patrick’s College to work in partnership leading to the creation of one 11 -19 Catholic Maintained post-primary school for the area with provision in Ballymena and Randalstown Ballymena • Ballymena Academy will continue as an 11-19 Grammar School with its enrolment increasing initially to a maximum enrolment of 1230 pupils from 2014 extending in stages to a maximum enrolment of 1424 pupils by the year 2025. • Cambridge House Grammar School will continue as a controlled grammar school with a phased reduction in the enrolment number to 800
and an amended admission number of 120. This will be followed by a period of phased growth to 900 by 2025. It is anticipated such growth will begin in 2019. • Slemish College will continue as an 11-19 school with initial growth to an
enrolment of 800 pupils from the year 2014, extending in stages to a maximum enrolment of 880 by the year 2025. • Cullybackey High School will continue as an 11-19 school with a maximum enrolment of 700 pupils in the year 2014 extending in stages
to a maximum enrolment of 900 pupils by the year 2025. • Dunclug College will continue as an 11-19 school with a maximum enrolment of 840 in the year 2014 extending in stages to a maximum enrolment of 935 pupils by the year 2025.
• Ballee Community High School will be considered for closure from 31 August 2014. • The Trustees recommend a partnership of three schools: St Louis’ Grammar School, St Patrick’s College and St Benedict’s (Randalstown), leading to the creation of one 11 -19 Catholic Maintained post-primary
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Ballymena school for the area with provision in both Ballymena and Randalstown. This proposal will form an integral part of the wider strategic provision for (contd) the Ballymena area.
Magherafelt • Magherafelt High School to continue as an 11-19 school (825 pupils). • Rainey Endowed to continue as an 11-19 school (990 pupils) • Sperrin Integrated College to continue as an 11-19 school (660 pupils). • The Trustees request that CCMS begin the process leading to consultation on the proposed amalgamation of St Mary’s College (Clady) and St Paul’s College (Kilrea) by September 2015, with the new college operating on the existing two sites. • The Board has published a Development Proposal on behalf of CNaG to establish Irish medium post-primary provision in Maghera.
Ballymoney • Ballymoney High School will develop as an 11-19 school (753 pupils). • Dalriada Grammar School will continue as an 11-19 school (897 pupils). • CCMS wish to work pro-actively with the NEELB to explore and establish the potential for an effective shared management and partnership model which would maximize the opportunities for Our Lady of Lourdes High school to continue as an integral part of post-primary provision in Ballymoney. Coleraine • Coleraine Academical Institution and Coleraine High School will combine to create two separate co-educational schools under the same school names and management types. One school will select its pupils by academic ability and will have a maximum enrolment of 990 pupils by the year 2025 with the other school non selective with a maximum enrolment of 1210 pupils by the year 2025.
• North Coast Integrated College will continue as an 11-19 school with a maximum enrolment by the year 2025 of 550 pupils. • Dunluce School to continue as an 11-16 (550 pupils). • Coleraine College to be considered for closure. • The Commission for Catholic Education recommend that there be two 11-19 Catholic Maintained post-primary schools, one in Coleraine and one in Portstewart. This proposal will form an integral part of the wider strategic provision in the area. Moyle • Ballycastle High School to continue as an 11-19 school (550 pupils). • Cross and Passion College which is to continue as an 11-19 school (770 pupils). Both schools would work together while maintaining individual Governance Carrickfergus • Carrickfergus Grammar School to continue as an 11-19 school (880 pupils).
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Carrickfergus • Carrickfergus College and Downshire School to work towards becoming (contd) a single controlled school by 2017/18 (1430 pupils). • Ulidia College to continue as an 11-19 school (660 pupils). Larne • Larne Grammar School to continue as an 11-19 school (770 pupils). • Larne High School to continue as an 11-19 school (650 pupils). • St Killian’s College will continue as an 11-19 co-educational school to serve pupils from the Glens and East Antrim area. Newtownabbey • Ballyclare High School will continue as an 11-19 school extending in stages to a maximum enrolment of 1331 pupils by the year 2025. • Ballyclare Secondary School will continue as an 11-19 school extending in stages to a maximum enrolment of 1100 pupils by the year 2025. • Belfast High School will continue as an 11-19 school extending in stages to a maximum enrolment of 1023 pupils by the year 2025. • Glengormley High School will continue as an 11-19 school with the enrolment extending in stages to a maximum of 1650 pupils by the year 2025. • Monkstown Community School and Newtownabbey Community High School will combine to form a single school from 1 September 2014 with an initial maximum enrolment of 1000 pupils which will extend in stages to a maximum enrolment of 1100 pupils by the year 2025. The work of Rostulla School will be closely aligned with the combined school. • The Trustees recommend that there should be five 11-19 Catholic Maintained post-primary schools in the North Belfast - Glengormley area, at least three of which should be co-educational with the location of these to be determined following an in-depth review. Work has commenced on the delivery of this recommendation
The Process for Taking Forward the Proposals Following the submission of the post-primary area plan to the Minister, the North Eastern Education and Library Board will continue to prioritise a review of controlled educational provision in the areas of Antrim/Ballymena, Coleraine and Newtownabbey. In accordance with its statutory obligations the Board has initiated consultation on a range of options in each of these three areas and follow due process in making recommendations to the Minister during the 2013/14 academic year. Concurrently the Board will continue to liaise with school principals, Boards of Governors, the CCMS, NICIE and CNaG and the Department of Education to bring about the necessary actions as proposed in the area plan.
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Appendix 1: Pre-Consultation Meetings
Governors and Principals (Post-Primary and Special Education) 31 January 2012 – Carrickfergus (Principal and Chairman) – Northern Area 1 February 2012 – Antrim (Principal and Chairman) – Central Area 2 February 2012 – Bushmills (Principal and Chairman) – Southern Area 6 February 2012 – Antrim (Principal and 4 Governors) – Central Area 8 February 2012 – Coleraine (Principal and 4 Governors) – Northern Area 9 February 2012 – Glengormley (Principal and 4 Governors) – Southern Area 30 May 2012 – Antrim (Principal and Chairman from Antrim/Ballymena, Coleraine and Newtownabbey schools)
MLAs and MPs 17 October 2011 – Ballymena Area MLAs and MPs 21 October 2011 – 1 MLA 9 December 2011 – 1 MLA and 1 Councillor 16 March 2012 – MLAs from NEELB area April 2012 - Discussions with local political representatives re. Garvagh High School
Councils 1 December 2011 – Mayor of Antrim 7 December 2011 – Antrim Council Education Sub-Committee 20 March 2012 – Newtownabbey Council – Full Council
Education Authorities or Bodies CCMS • Regular ongoing contact through the process • Specific meetings on:4 November 2011, 18 November 2011, 2 December 2011, 6 January 2012, 27 January 2012, 10 February 2012, 7 March 2012, 22 March 2012, 27 March 2012
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NICIE Meetings with Chief Executive: • 6 October 2011 • 1 November 2011 • Chief Executive attended a number of the meetings held with Governors and Principals in January/February 2012 • 21 March 2012 • SEO attended NICIE Schools Conference 24 February 2012
CnaG officers attended a number of the primary seminars for Governors and Principals
Meetings with Schools/Learning Communities 4 November 2011 – Ballymena Academy 5 December 2011 – Antrim Grammar School 16 December 2011 – Ballymoney Learning Community 5 January 2012 – Coleraine Learning Community (3 schools) 18 January 2012 – Carrickfergus Learning Community 20 January 2012 – Parkhall Controlled Integrated College 6 February 2012 – Coleraine College 9 February 2012 – Dunclug College 14 February 2012 – Cullybackey High School 21 February 2012 – Ballymena Learning Community 21 February 2012 – Glengormley High School 21 February 2012 – Coleraine High School and Coleraine Academical Institution 24 February 2012 – Newtownabbey Community High School 27 February 2012 – Garvagh High School (Principal and Chairman) 28 February 2012 – Rainey Endowed and St Mary’s Grammar School 29 February 2012 – Garvagh High School (small group of parents) 1 March 2012 – Straid Primary School 1 March 2012 – Ballymena Learning Community 1 March 2012 – Garvagh High School (Board of Governors)
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2 March 2012 Crumlin Controlled Integrated College 5 March 2012 Ballymena Academy and Cambridge House Grammar Schools – Principals and Chairmen 9 March 2012 Magherafelt Learning Community 12 March 2012 Garvagh High School – Parents’ Consultation 15 March 2012 St Mary’s Grammar School and St Pius X College – Principals and Chairs of Governors 20th March 2012 Garvagh High School - Meetings with representatives of teaching and non-teaching unions 22/23rd March 2012 Individual meetings with local post-primary school principals in the Garvagh area 2nd April 2012 Consultation with Garvagh High School pupils.
Principals’ Groups Primary – 18 October 2011 Post-Primary – 17 November 2011 Special – 17 January 2012
Northern Regional College 16 January 2012 – Chief Executive and Directors NRC Officers attended a number of the school consultation meetings
Education and Library Boards There has been on-going contact with officers from the other Education and Library Boards throughout the period during which this plan has been developed to discuss and exchange key information relevant to the planning of provision where there is a cross-board boundary within a sub area.
Key issues relating to cross board planning were discussed face to face with officers from other Boards on 2 December 2011, 6 January 2012, 27 January 2012, 10 February 2012 and 22 March 2012.
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Appendix 2: Submissions to Consultation on the Draft Area Plan Submissions have been received from the following schools: Antrim Grammar School Ballee Community High School Ballymena Learning Together representing Ballymena Academy, Cambridge House Grammar School, Cullybackey High School and Dunclug College Ballycastle High School /Cross & Passion College Ballymoney High School Carrickfergus College Carrickfergus Grammar School Coleraine Academical Institution /Coleraine College/Coleraine High School Crumlin Integrated College Dalriada Downshire School Dunclug College Glengormley High School Larne Grammar School Larne High School Newtownabbey Community High School North Coast Integrated College Northern Regional College – Northern, Central, Southern Areas Our Lady of Lourdes High Parkhall Integrated College Slemish Integrated College Sperrin Integrated College St Pius X College Rainey Endowed Ulidia Integrated College
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Garvagh High School A total of 160 responses to consultation were received from the following groups: 5 individual members of the Board of Governors 29 parents 7 teaching staff 5 support staff 1 political representative 109 members of the public 4 other organisations
A total of 53 pupils participated in consultation facilitated by the Board regarding the future of their school.
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