Mr. John D. TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what was the enrolment in each of the past five years at Dundonald primary school; what is the expected enrolment at the school in each of the next five years; what proposals there are to provide additional accommodation at the school; how many places in primary 1 will be available in the next academic year; how many applicants there are for places in primary 1 at the school for the next academic year; and if he will make a statement. [18935]
§ Mr. AncramThe enrolments in each of the past five years are as follows:
Year Number of pupils enrolled Number of applicants refused places1 1991–92 537 (at January 1991) n/a 1992–93 558 (at October 1992) none 1993–94 563 (at October 1993) 14 1994–95 547 (at October 1994) 5 1995–96 553 (at October 1995) 9 1 Information available only from 1992–93 onwards. It is not possible to accurately project an enrolment figure for each of the next five years.
Provision of controlled primary school places in Dundonald is the responsibility of the South Eastern education and library board. I understand that the board has no plans to increase the size of Dundonald primary school at present, but it is reviewing demand for primary schools places in the Dundonald area and is monitoring residential development as part of its consideration of future primary school provision.
The approved admissions number for the 1996–97 school year is 81, but the school has discretion to admit a maximum of five pupils above this number. The school has received 91 applications.