Education Minister, Caitríona Ruane, has cut the first sod on a £14million new-build project for Bangor Grammar School.

The school has been on its current site in Bangor town centre for over 100 years. The new school will have capacity for around 850 pupils in purpose-built facilities on a site in the suburban Gransha area.

Speaking at the sod-cutting ceremony, the Minister said: “Bangor Grammar School has been part of the fabric of the town for over 150 years and this investment marks the beginning of a new era for the school.

“The new facilities for Bangor Grammar represent an investment of almost £14million by my Department in the future of children in the local area. I passionately believe that schools must be equipped with facilities that enable them to deliver quality education for all children, which is why I have consistently spent virtually all of the capital funding available to me.

-- Advertisement --

“I also believe that as educationalists we must ensure that children of all abilities can avail of such facilities and that they are not reserved only for the privileged. I removed state-sponsored academic selection because the international evidence overwhelmingly shows that it is a failed system, both educationally and socially. Selection only serves to deepen divisions in society and it is fundamentally immoral.

“I would urge Bangor Grammar to embrace this approach and remind all grammar schools that there is nothing to fear in moving away from selection. By showing leadership and courage, grammar schools can play a major part in realising a vision of education that genuinely puts children first.”

The Minister continued: “I am very proud of the fact that 68 major capital school projects have been undertaken or completed during my time in office, an investment of over £570million in our schools’ estate. This project for Bangor Grammar is one of 13 that are able to commence in this financial year after I secured further funding from the Executive in August last year.

“And I will continue to press the case for the much needed funding that will enable us to put right the historic underinvestment in the schools’ estate right across the north. I must, however, prioritise frontline services in this very difficult financial climate so that we can continue to implement the reforms that have delivered real improvements in achievement levels.”

Concluding, the Minister said: “This is a momentous day for Bangor Grammar School. I pay particular tribute to the Principal, governors, staff and parents who have worked hard to get this project off the ground and I hope that the new facilities will ensure that the school continues for many years to come.”

(GK/KMcA)