By Joe McCann
STRANGFORD Integrated College is currently in the midst of an ambitious move into their new premises which will bring state state-of-the-art facilities to every subject on the curriculum.
Beginning as a few cabins on the grounds of Carrowdore Castle in 1997, the college quickly grew into its soon-to- be-demolished buildings which can house 500 pupils. However, with over 850 pupils, the college has now expanded following the completion of a 10 year, £30m building plan.
Staff are now in the midst of a busy move to the new buildings and by September all of the old school will have been torn down to accommodate more new buildings and state of the art, leisure and gym facilities including a brand new 4G pitch as well as a GAA and rugby pitch.
The new facilities include, but are not limited to, new state-of- the-art science buildings, canteen, library, numerous full sized and spacious classrooms, a new sixth form area, art department, fully kitted technology and design labs, home economics classrooms, music suites including practice rooms, a media room as well as a theatre space with professional stage lighting, sound systems, a green room for drama and performing arts and a new IT suite all new computers.
As well as being brand new, each classroom has also been adapted for any pupils who may require additional resources, such as using a wheelchair, with science benches and even a cooker in the home economics rooms which can be lowered to sitting height so there are no obstacles to learning.
Despite the busyness of the move, principal Clare Foster said ‘staff are abuzz’ with excitement as they moved into their new facilities.
Ms Foster explained that the project to build the new campus has been an integral part of her 10 years at the college and said she couldn’t wait to see the look on pupils’ faces when they see all of the new facilities, including the new PE and fitness suite which are currently not yet finished.
She said: “I am just so excited to see what the children and parents are going to see and what they’re going to say when they see everything, because it is exactly what they deserve, they have waited a very long time to get these new facilities and we know they are everything our pupils and staff deserve.
Speaking on the journey from its humble beginnings to now being the only integrated post-primary school on the Ards peninsula, Ms Foster said the new campus was a testament to the school’s core values of integrated, all-ability education for its pupils.
“It’s been a process from humble beginnings on the grounds of Carrowdore Castle in 1997 to getting this new campus which has been 10 years in the making,” she said. “To see the school growing now to 850 children and young people, 64 teaching staff, and to see the state-of-the-art facilities that have been built for music, drama, film, economics, art, all right across the curriculum.
“We’ve also got the most amazing sporting facilities here too with a full-size rugby pitch, Gaelic pitches, football, soccer pitches, a synthetic pitch which is being built as well as tennis courts. These will provide amazing opportunities for the children of this area to access all of that.”
Ms Foster continued: “It has been such a privilege for me to be the school leader through this process and to work with the children and the families and all my staff. I think it’s really testament to the unprecedented demand for all- ability integrated education in Ards and North Down in the Ards peninsula and we’re delighted for the recognition of that and the investment.”
“I want every child who goes to school here to know that every child matters and every child feels that they belong and we want them to be the very best that they can be. This is an environment where every child that comes through our school gates, they come together from all faith backgrounds and none. They come together across all levels of ability and talents.
“We want them all to be recognised and to all get their opportunity to contribute to the school community.”
