To ask the Minister of Education to detail (i) the extent to which the Rural Needs Act was considered prior to the decision being made to close Ballyhackett Primary School; (ii) his assessment of how the closure of this school will impact the wider rural community around Castlerock; and (iii) what consideration was given to the current trend of more people moving to rural areas, post-COVID-19, in reaching his decision.

The Council for Catholic Maintained Schools (CCMS) confirmed that the statutory requirements of the Rural Needs Act (NI) 2016 were considered. CCMS acknowledged the potential impact on the local community and the possibility of longer travelling distance for some pupils. Alternative options for education provision were considered, but each of the options were rejected as they did not provide sustainable education.

I recognise the impact of a school closure on the wider rural community and appreciate there will be great disappointment at my decision. I wish to emphasise that aim of the Sustainable Schools Policy (SSP) is to ensure that pupils receive a high quality education in schools that are educationally and financially viable regardless of where they live. Concerns expressed must be balanced against the positive impact of the proposal which would increase opportunities for pupils living in a rural area to have access to a broad and balanced curriculum with transport assistance to alternative schools. My over-riding consideration is the educational well-being of the pupils.

In relation to people moving to rural areas post COVID-19, I can only say that enrolment at the school continued to fall despite the considerable efforts of the school management team and in 2020/21 there were only 31 pupils.