SCHOOLS SHAKE UP

The SELB have unveiled proposals to form a new ‘Lurgan Collegiate’ by amalgamating Lurgan College, Lurgan Junior High and Craigavon Senior High under a single governing body.

The board say they want to modernise the two tier system while preparing for a 25% projected increase in pupil numbers up to 2025.

The ‘collegiate’ proposal follows last week’s front page story in the ‘MAIL’ when we revealed four teaching posts are to be cut at Lurgan Junior High because of financial pressures on the school.

Changes are also on the cards in the Catholic Managed Sector where a new all-abilities school for 11 to 19-year-olds on the current St Michael’s site looks set to incorporate the host school along with St Mary’s and St Paul’s.

For more on the proposals for the future of post-primary education see page 9.