Major Works Project

Education Minister, Paul Givan has announced that three major works projects, previously announced in 2022, but paused due to budget constraints, will now move forward to planning and design, including Belfast High School. The Minister said “I am pleased to be delivering the good news here that three major works projects will now advance in planning. The capital investment across the three schools when the projects are delivered will be over £200m. These schools have been in need of significant capital investment for a number of years. Their buildings are in extremely poor condition and have seen little or no investment. We are now a step closer to the development of modern school facilities that are fit for purpose and that will better support the learning and development needs of young people in these three schools for generations to come. Whilst this is welcome progress, I recognise that there are many other schools in need of significant investment. The education system is facing a capital funding crisis that must be addressed. I will continue to manage capital expenditure very carefully and prioritise those most in need. Decades of underfunding has left much of our schools’ estate in very poor condition. I will of course continue to make the case for increased and sustained capital investment across our schools’ estate.”

Upon hearing the Minister’s announcement, Mr Lowry remarked that “today’s news is warmly welcomed by all members of our School community. I wish to pay tribute to the hard work and tenacity shown by Governors and staff over very many years, not least by my predecessor Mrs Weir, in getting us to this point. We welcome this recognition by the Minister that our School requires significant investment in order to meet the needs of young people in East Antrim in a rapidly changing world. The announcement paves the way for a School that has accommodation and facilities that generations of young people will benefit from. However, it goes without saying that for our current pupils and those who will be joining us in the near future, we will continue to strive to provide the outstanding holistic educational experience that Belfast High School is synonymous with, through our current facilities which our Governors and staff are committed to maintaining to as high a standard as possible. The Governors and staff look forward to working closely with the Department of Education in the very near future as we embark on this exciting chapter for our School.”