Draft Area Plan

The future of Primary School in Parkhall

What is it?

Draft Primary Plan• The draft plan seeks to meet the objectives of area-based planning in the

primary sector, namely to:• ensure a network of sustainable schools, within reasonable travelling

distance for pupils and capable of delivering effectively the revised curriculum

• identify and meet the needs of all children 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 and • explore opportunities for cross border planning.

School Provision

Empty spaces

Provision in the Antrim Council Area

• In the 2012/13 academic year 5,010 pupils attended 25 primary schools in the Antrim Council area of the Board.

• 2,239 pupils attend 12 controlled primary schools. • 2,091 pupils attend 8 catholic maintained primary

schools. • 75 pupils attend 1 Irish medium primary school. • 492 pupils attend 3 controlled integrated primary

schools. • 113 pupils attend 1 grant maintained integrated primary

school.

How might it affect us?

• Local area solution to be explored to include consideration of consolidation with Ballycraigy PS and/or Greystone PS on a site/s to be identified.

• The school is currently considered to be sustainable within the local area context in relation to the minimum enrolment threshold and financial viability.

• Declining enrolment trend. • 1,005 unfilled places in the

controlled sector in the local area.

• 230 unfilled places in the school.

What can I do?

• Complete consultation

• http://www.puttingpupilsfirst.info/

• Object to the proposal for Parkhall

• It makes no sense to involve Parkhall

• What would happen if there was no school here?

• Be positive about Parkhall Primary School

Positive About School

• The positive caring attitude in school• As a smaller school every child is known and valued, in a

much larger school this may not happen• We provide your children with a high quality challenging

education, meeting their needs and developing them as learners

• The need for a local school in Parkhall Community• If school site abandoned what would happen to the

space in the community• Over the last few years I consider that we as a school

have grown and developed in the following ways:

Positive About School

• Pupil of the Week – Rewarding Good Effort and learning

• Good to Be Green – Positive Behaviour Plan• School Council – Giving children their voice• Eco Committee – Involving children in

responsible environmental behaviour• Healthy Schools – Gold Prize winners – best in

NEELB• Key Stage Two Production – Peter Pan

Good Opportunities

• School Council• Eco Committee• School Choir • Football Club • Netball Club• HeartStart• Needle Craft Club• Dissolving Boundaries• Story Sacks Year one

• Homework Club

• Cycling Proficiency

• Computer Club

• Art Club

• Scripture Union

• Barnardos Ready to Learn

• After Schools Club

Extended Schools

• Art Club

• Drumming

• Boot Camp

• Puzzle Day

• Literacy and Numeracy Support

• Cooking

• Positive Play

• Pupil Counselling

• Activity Saturdays

• After Schools Club

Charity Work

• Poppy Day Appeal

• Harvest Appeal• Children in

Need• Movember• Cedar

Foundation at Christmas

• Sports Relief or Comic Relief

• Action Cancer at Easter

• Local Charities in the Summer Term

Involving Parents

• Back to School Booklet

• October Interviews

• Parents’ Pack

• February Interviews

• Curriculum Link Letters

• Facebook Page

• Regular Newsletters

• Available for discussions

One Voice

• Governors

• Staff

• Friends of Parkhall

• Community

• Parents

• Pupils

• Same message – Leave Parkhall

What they want

• It’s about … • taking account of the views of

stakeholders; • informed decisions; • the quality of the argument.

Next Step

• Principals and chairs of governors meeting today

• Complete consultation

• Further meeting end of May start of June

• Updates by note and Facebook page

Any Comments or Questions