To ask the Minister of Education to outline what work was carried out by her Department to facilitate collaboration between Forge Integrated Primary School, Knockbreda and St. Bernard’s Primary School, South Belfast, on future educational provision at the former Knockbreda High School site.

The new design proposal for the Forge Integrated primary school on the former Knockbreda High School site is progressing well, with the design team preparing to make a full planning application in summer 2022.

Forge Integrated Primary School, Knockbreda and St. Bernard’s Primary School, have experience of collaborative working though Shared Education, but not directly with one another. With both schools involved in Shared Education partnerships the schools recognise the benefits of collaborative working that not only helps to improve relations between communities, but also delivers a range of educational benefits, and the sharing of ideas and good practice between education providers.

The EA has advised that in the 2018/19 school year there were initial conversations around accessibility for all when the site was being discussed as this was an issue that was raised by the other schools. The EA has also advised that there were some early conversations with the Principal of Forge Integrated Primary School and the Authority’s Infrastructure and Capital Development Division around a Shared Campus “lite” option, but COVID-19 put a halt on conversation.

There is no current area planning activity in respect of Forge Integrated Primary School, Knockbreda and St. Bernard’s Primary School, South Belfast.