Pupils are on course to move into a new £70m shared education campus in Ballycastle, County Antrim, from next September.
The Education Minister has said “excellent progress” is being made on the purpose-built facility, which will see around 1,200 pupils share education facilities on a single site.
The campus will formalise long-standing collaboration between Cross and Passion College and Ballycastle High School, and will become Northern Ireland’s first purpose-built shared education campus.
Paul Givan confirmed the main building will be ready for pupils by September next year, with additional works scheduled for completion by 2027.
An inquiry into the project was first held by Stormont’s Education Committee in October 2015, with funding secured through the Government’s Fresh Start Programme in March 2016.
Mr Givan said:
“Following the success of Limavady Shared Education Campus, which opened in 2023, I am delighted to be able to report that the Ballycastle Shared Campus is making excellent progress in construction.
“This project will deliver Northern Ireland’s first purpose-built shared education campus, with an investment of £70m from my department through the Fresh Start Programme.
“Ballycastle High School and Cross and Passion College have a strong sense of history, with strong sharing arrangements that have developed and strengthened over many years.
“Both schools have benefited from the loyalty demonstrated by the local community and it is wonderful that my department is able to return that continued support in such a tangible way, with the new shared education campus.
“Construction of the main school building is due to complete next summer and I expect the pupils from both schools to be able to start the next academic year in their new shared building.
“The remaining works are programmed to complete before the end of 2027 and will include the provision of sports pitches, a sports hall with facilities for EA’s Youth Service, traffic management and car parking facilities.
“I am delighted that the project will also deliver enhanced sports facilities for community use outside school hours. This has been made possible through additional investment of around £4m which is being provided by Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council.
“I have no doubt that this fantastic project will deliver enormous benefits for the whole community.”
The minister was responding to an Assembly question from Sian Mulholland.
The development includes a new core school building, sports building, sports pavilion, an EA Youth Service day activity building and an EA grounds maintenance storage building. Outdoor facilities will include a 2G hockey pitch, 3G GAA pitch, soccer pitch and multi-use games areas.
Public access to the sports building, pavilion and pitches will be available through the council from 5.30pm on school days.
