§ Mr. Kilfedderasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what calculation is made as to the likely number of children in an area before it is decided to build a new primary or secondary school; and whether such calculations take account of information from housing and planning authorities.
§ Mr. ChannonWhen considering a proposal from an education authority or a voluntary manager for the erection of a new primary school the Ministry of Education takes into account such evidence as the numbers of primary and pre-primary-age children in the catchment area who are likely to attend the proposed school, plans for the erection of new dwellings in that area, population trends and also anticipated closures or amalgamations of existing primary schools in the general area concerned.
In the case of a proposed new secondary school the enrolment is assessed by determining the average number of pupils per age group in the contributory primary schools who will be likely to transfer to the new school. The effect upon enrolment of projected new housing and population changes in the catchment area of the proposed school is also considered.
Information from housing and planning authorities is taken into account.
§ Mr. Kilfedderasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many new primary and secondary schools have been opened in Northern Ireland during the last ten years; what is their location; and whether they are voluntary or county schools.
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§ Mr. ChannonThe information is as follows for new schools completed from
County Schools Education Area Primary Secondary Intermediate Grammar Belfast County Borough … … 10 3 — Londonderry County Borough … … 1 — — Antrim … … 31 9 1 Armagh … … 12 2 1 Down … … 32 3 2 Fermanagh … … 6 — — County Londonderry … … 19 3 1 Tyrone … … 12 3 — Totals … … 123* 23 5 * Includes 8 nursery schools
Voluntary Schools Education Area Primary Secondary Intermediate Grammar Belfast County Borough … … 14 5 1 Londonderry County Borough … … 1 5 — Antrim … … 28 7 3 Armagh … … 19 7 — Down … … 33 4 1 Fermanagh … … 8 4 — County Londonderry … … 21 9 1 Tyrone … … 33 11 2 Totals … … 157* 52 8 * Includes 3 nursery schools.