Handover of keys from former Tír na nÓg Primary School to the Education Authority

The official handover of keys from the Trustees to the EA took place on Monday 3 July at the Sacred Heart Church in Ballyclare, with representatives from the EA and Ballyclare NS in attendance. 

Roger Sayers, Assistant Director for Infrastructure and Capital Development, said:

“The Education Authority is pleased to have entered into a lease agreement with the Trustees of the former Tír na nÓg Primary School and thanks them for their foresight in retaining the building for educational use in Ballyclare.  Planning is well underway for the relocation of Ballyclare Nursery School to this much larger site as it will provide modern classrooms and resource spaces as well as extensive opportunities for outdoor learning and play.  The EA looks forward to commencing construction as soon as it is awarded the necessary capital money to proceed.”

St MacNissi’s Educational Trust welcome this innovative initiative which has been made possible through a very constructive engagement between the Trust, Ballyclare Parish, the Department of Education, the Education Authority and Ballyclare Nursery School.  

The provision of education began on the site at the end of the 19th Century, and this arrangement will ensure that the site will continue to provide nursery education into the 21st Century, for the benefit of the entire community and the children of Ballyclare.

Mrs. Emma Corry, Principal of Ballyclare Nursery School, said:

“There are so many benefits that this move will bring to our school that it would be impossible to list them all. However, a few of them include the large, green outdoor area which will enable us to plan a far more extensive and dynamic outdoor learning curriculum. The potential for creating a stimulating and challenging outdoor learning space is extremely exciting.

“Additionally, with the recent proposals by DE to begin to look at bringing more SEN provision into mainstream schools, this building would have the potential for the planning and development of such an additional space to facilitate children of pre-school age with more complex additional needs.

“We are delighted that the Education Authority has been given the keys to the building and for the refurbishment work to begin, so that the children of Ballyclare and surrounding areas, can benefit from this wonderful building and outdoor area for generations to come.”