A once popular secondary school on the Ards peninsula is to close following depleting admission numbers, the NI Education Minister has confirmed.

Donaghadee High will close its doors in August next year, as the education board deemed the school no longer sustainable.

Minister Caitronia Ruane said: "The school has provided an important service to the community of Donaghadee and wider afield, but in recent years there has been a fall in numbers attending.

"Unfortunately the school is no longer sustainable and I must consider the best interests of the pupils currently enrolled. Closing a school is never an easy decision to take but the needs of the pupils cannot be met in a school in decline."

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The Development Proposal will ensure no more pupils will be admitted into Year 8 this month.

However, in view of the lateness of the decision the SEELB has asked for the Development Proposal to be modified to allow for the retention of Year 8 pupils already admitted.

"I fully endorse this action as I recognise the anxiety currently facing pupils and parents who are anticipating that places in alternative post-primary schools will have to be secured this term," added Ms Ruane.

The Minister said that there is no shortage of places for pupils transferring to post-primary education in the North Down area and her decision was based purely in the interests of Year 8 pupils and their parents to avoid disruption to their first year of post-primary education.

(PR/JM)