A Co Tyrone primary school under threat of closure is seeking integrated status in order to keep its doors open.
Gillygooley Primary School in Omagh has submitted a bid to become an integrated school as a separate proposal from the Education Authority seeks the discontinuance of the school.
The local school, which has 27 pupils, has been granted a grace period to submit the proposal, which would see it joining the list of primary schools across Northern Ireland with integrated status.
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One of the teachers leading the proposal within the school, Jayne Baird, says it has received around 150 expressions of interest from parents who would send their children to the school if it were to become integrated.
When asked if this was a ‘last chance saloon’ for the school, Jayne said it was ‘unfortunate’ the proposal to close the school was still on the table.
“While it is unfortunate to also have a proposal for discontinuance on the table, which sits alongside our proposal for integration we see how this could be interpreted,” the teacher told Belfast Live.
However, prior advice we received was that integration was not an option. When we delved further in the development proposal we found that actually, it could be an extremely viable option and one we should have the grace period to explore.
“Our published case for change, along with the 147 expressions of interest we have received and the cross-party support from Fermanagh and Omagh District Council clearly shows the growing demand for integrated education from school families, local parents and the local community.”
A ballot among the parents of children currently attending the school showed 100% support for the move, which Jayne says is vital for bridging the divide between communities in Northern Ireland.
“It is a pertinent fact that Northern Ireland continues to be a divided society and we believe that children need to go through the Education system in an integrated setting to ensure this divide does not continue through any more generations.
“We have a brilliant relationship with our Shared Education Partner School and have built strong relationships with both pupils’ and teachers alike.
“Through this experience, we have gained an immense understanding and knowledge of how to integrate our school setting in a way that will be positive for the whole school and wider community.”
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