TWO Bangor schools have been left disappointed after the High Court rejected their appeal for a Judicial Review into the Education Minister’s decision to deny them integrated status.
Matthew Pitts, principal of Bangor Academy and Sixth Form College, was at the Belfast court yesterday, alongside the head of Rathmore Primary School, Julie Hardy, when their hopes of an appeal were dashed, following DUP Minister Paul Givan’s rejection of transformation in January this year.
The grounds for the schools’ court action followed what they regarded as flawed reasoning behind’s the Minister’s decision, which hinged on his belief that their ambitions of attracting ‘reasonable numbers’ of Catholic pupils was unrealistic.
In the wake of the ruling, the principals issued a joint statement saying that despite the blow, they remained ‘committed to providing the best inclusive education for all our children and young people’.
The school leaders’ upset at the decision has been shared by local representatives of the Alliance Party, which is a proponent of integrated education.
Stormont government minister, Andrew Muir, speaking in his capacity as MLA for North Down, spoke of the widespread support for integrated education in Bangor.
“It is clear from the ballot that there is resounding parental support for integrated education at both Bangor Academy and Rathmore Primary. I know that this decision will be a bitter blow for pupils, parents and the wider community who rightly want to see parental demand for integrated education met, and they can be assured of having our continued full and unequivocal support.”
Fellow Assembly member for North Down, Connie Egan said the decision ignored the will of the schoolchildren’s parents.
“This decision, like the initial decision of the minister earlier this year to ignore the will of parents and reject these bids, will come with great shock and disappointment right across North Down.
“Alliance will continue doing all we can to support not only these two schools as they continue to demonstrate their commitment to integration, but all those who wish to transform to integrated status.
“Every parent deserves access to integrated education for their child and it is crucial we do everything we can to facilitate that,” she said.
Strangford MLA Nick Mathison, who is chair of Stormont’s Education Committee, stated: “This is an extremely disappointing development and my thoughts today are with the overwhelming majority of parents at both schools who voted in favour of becoming integrated, and who have not had those aspirations honoured.
“People locally will rightfully be very concerned about the ongoing lack of commitment to encouraging, facilitating and supporting Integrated Education, as is the legal duty of the minister’s department.
“Time and time again, polling demonstrates the sheer demand that exists for integrated education and the extreme lack of supply that exists to match it. We will continue pushing for the expansion of integrated education until it is truly accessible for every family in Northern Ireland,” he added.
