The public are being urged to send letters of objection to the Education Authority after it was proposed to close St Joseph’s Primary School in Caledon.
The rural school on the Derrycourtney Road, had been judged as being “unsustainable” and, as such, it is intended that the school would close at the end of the summer term – August 31 – in 2027, or “as soon as possible thereafter”.
The intention had originally been that the school would cease to operate next August, but an amendment to that has given a slight stay of execution.
The Catholic Council for Maintained Schools has instructed the Education Authority to publish a development proposal which would see St Joseph’s PS axed after serving the community for many years.
This comes despite it being pointed out during consultations on the proposals that the closure “would leave a substantial rural Catholic community without a local parish school, breaking a link that has existed since 1907”.
Future employment/deployment opportunities would be sought in “alternative schools” for St Joseph’s Primary staff, which comprises a principal, two teachers, three classroom assistants, a secretary and building supervisor, if the axe falls.
Related: Fears for impact on rural community as ‘beacon of hope’ Caledon primary school closure proposed
A consultation exercise is now underway after an actual development proposal was published.
And now, the public are being asked to take part in that consultation to help secure the school’s future.
Pressing on the need for support, local woman Leona May Mac Cana said: “Many of you may have already heard that there is a proposal to close St Joseph’s Primary School, Caledon. This would be a huge loss for our village and the wider community.
“This school has been part of Caledon for generations. It’s more than just a school – it’s where friendships begin, families connect, and our community comes together.
“Losing it would have a lasting impact on local families and the future of our village.”
With the consultation set to close on April 9, they say “every single objection matters. Numbers matter. Voices matter”.
And they add: “The more people who speak up, the stronger the message that our community does not want to lose our local primary school.”
A copy of a template and advice for objections can be found here along with postal address and email address for submissions.
Said Leona: “Even if you didn’t attend the school yourself, supporting our local services helps protect the future of our whole community.
“Please share this post so we can reach as many people as possible. Let’s stand together and fight to keep our school open.”
