New Tandragee Junior High plans move a step forward

PLANS for a new build Tandragee Junior High School have taken yet another step forward.

After years of waiting for fit for purpose accommodation, the County Armagh school has been buoyed by the latest update.

For Education Minister Paul Givan has confirmed that the multi-million pound project has moved further towards fruition.

According to the Minister, “a business case to identify the preferred option to be taken forward in design is being drafted”.

The update was delivered after a written question in the Assembly tabled by Newry and Armagh MLA William Irwin.

The DUP Assemblyman has been an active supporter of the school’s campaign for a new school and over the years has continued to raise the matter to keep it firmly in the public eye.

He has also been to the fore in highlighting the ongoing campaign by Markethill High for a similar new-build and is due to meet the Minister shortly to discuss the aspirations and ambitions and requirements of the neighbouring school.

It was five years ago, in June 2020 when Tandragee Junior High School was named as one of nine schools across Northern Ireland to benefit from major capital developments.

In all, a total of £156 million was earmarked to be invested into the schools estate.

For Tandragee, the indication was that the school would enjoy an entirely new and modern base on a new site.

To bring about such a major project, the announcement heralded the various schools lining up on the starting line of their new-build race, the promised cash to deliver the whistle to drive them forward.

Various milestones have been reached in the interim five years.

In June 2022, an integrated consultancy team was appointed and was quick to start on a technical feasibility study to identify options to be considered for the project.

Mr Irwin has this week been assured that progress continues to be made in relation to Tandragee Junior High School.

Minister Givan confirmed, in response to his written question: “A technical feasibility report has been completed by the integrated consultant team that has identified options and costs to provide suitable accommodation for Tandragee Junior High School.

“A review of the options identified in the report was completed by the Department’s technical advisers in September last year.

“A business case to identify the preferred option to be taken forward in design is being drafted.”

Mr Irwin was happy to receive a positive update.

And the Newry and Armagh Assemblyman then pressed further in relation to timelines.

“Are there other ongoing works at the school, given the length of time for which the school will remain in its current premises?” Mr Irwin asked the Minister.

Mr Givan, meanwhile, acknowledged the DUP man’s support for both Tandragee - and Markethill High - and was happy to put more meat on the bones of the development plans.

The Minister said his DUP colleague had “advocated for Tandragee Junior High School and other schools in his constituency”, and promised he would “meet him later in respect of Markethill High School, for which he has been an advocate of work and support”.

On the matter at hand, Minister Givan explained: “The fact that we are moving towards bringing the business case phase to a conclusion is progress, but, as the Member understands, we still need to progress through a number of stages to the point at which the works will be subject to capital funding being made available.

“In the interim, we will continue to support Tandragee Junior High School. Since April 2022, we have responded to 177 tasks and spent around £55,000.

“We will take forward 19 planned tasks, with the work that we will provide to the school estimated to be worth in the region of £150,000.

“As we make progress through the stages for Tandragee Junior High School, it is important that we continue to provide support through ongoing maintenance works, and that is what we intend to do.”

Mr Irwin was satisfied that the scheme was moving forward.

And he pledged to continue to drive forward the Tandragee new-build – while backing Markethill on its own campaign to bring about new buildings fit for today’s educational needs.

Said Mr Irwin: “This was another important opportunity to seek the views of the Education Minister on the latest developments in the progression of plans to enable a new school to be constructed for Tandragee Junior High.

“This school has performed admirably over many decades and hopefully progress can intensify around the compiling of the business case which, when approved, will see another important stage in the process completed.

“I will continue to lobby for educational resources to be targeted at the constituency and thank the Minister for his efforts in this regard.”