AQO 9434/11-16 Oral question to the Minister of Education
To ask the Minister of Education, following his decision to amalgamate Coleraine High School and Coleraine Academical Institution, when Coleraine Grammar School will receive the capital funds needed to ensure the new amalgamated school is fit for purpose as a mixed gender school.
Asked by Claire Sugden MLA on 7 January 2016
- Answered
- Oral
- After due date
- Tabled
- 7 January 2016
- Answer due by
- 19 January 2016
- Answered
- 20 January 201613 days after tabling
- Department
- Department of Education
- Priority question
- No
Answer
I committed approximately £2.9m to the School Enhancement scheme for Coleraine Grammar which included £547k specifically for the refurbishment and reassignment of 44 toilets to meet the needs of a mixed gender school on the former Coleraine Academical Institution (CAI) site. These works were completed in November 2015 and have not only provided the necessary toilets for girls but have also provided disabled toilet facilities and improved the existing provision for boys and staff.
In addition, I have funded capital minor works for the conversion of the weights room at the former CAI site to a girls changing room at a cost of over £27k, which was completed in September 2015. A further more substantial investment in changing facilities requested by the school cannot be considered until the on-going legal issues between Coleraine Grammar and the CAI Trust are resolved and Coleraine Grammar have secured long term access to the former CAI site.
I have also provided funding of over £6k to ensure that the former Coleraine High School site is fit for purpose as a mixed gender school.