McLaughlin & Harvey has been selected by the Education Authority as the main contractor to deliver the first phase of enhanced specialist SEN provision at Rathore School, increasing much-needed capacity for children in the Newry, Mourne and Down area.

The scheme is the Antrim-based firm's first construction project in Northern Ireland since it completed the new distillery at Bushmills in 2021, and works are already progressing on site.

Under this initial phase, current and future pupils will benefit from nine new classroom facilities, alongside additional outdoor play areas, car parking and landscaping to meet growing demand across Newry, Mourne and Down.

To minimise disruption for staff and pupils, the project is employing modern methods of construction, including off-site fabrication of 1,300m2 of classroom and ancillary accommodation.

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Phase-one completion is expected by the end of December 2026. Following further fit-out by Rathore School, the facilities are due to receive pupils from August 2027.

Gavin Parkinson, Operations Director, McLaughlin & Harvey, said: "Our experience working on public sector construction and infrastructure projects across the whole of the UK means we're ideally placed to deliver a project as important and sensitive as the one at Rathore School. We understand that the need for SEN school facilities across Northern Ireland is a pressing issue, and our approach to modern methods of construction will enable smooth delivery, ensuring classrooms are ready to meet the needs of young people in the area.

"Although our civils team has continued to thrive in Northern Ireland, we're extremely proud to see our construction team back on site for a Northern Irish project"

Dale Hanna, Chief Operations Officer, Education Authority, said: "This project will make a real difference for children and young people with SEN and their families, giving them access to modern, purpose-built accommodation designed around their needs.

"EA will continue to consider every available option to increase capacity and support children and young people to access appropriate SEN provision as close as possible to their local community.

"This investment forms part of EA's wider capital programme to expand SEN provision across Northern Ireland and support children and young people now and in the years ahead."