Crumbling school building 'a serious health and safety issue'

The Principal of a Magherafelt primary school has branded the 135 year-old school building where pupils are being taught as a 'serious health and safety issue'.

Mr. John McCormack, Principal of Holy Family Primary School, was speaking during a visit by Minister of Education, Paul Girvan on Wednesday to discuss the critical need for government funding for a new building.

Holy Family Primary currently serves 580 pupils from over 20 nationalities, but the aging infrastructure is struggling to accommodate the growing needs of its diverse student body.

Leaking ceilings, crumbling walls, infestation of mice and mobiles falling apart are some of the issues affecting the primary school.

Speaking following the Minister's visit, Mr McCormack said: "Holy Family Primary is a thriving, multicultural school, and we are immensely proud of our pupils’ achievements. However, our current building is no longer fit for purpose, and without significant investment, we are limited in how we can support our students’ learning and development. We are hopeful that Minister Girvan’s visit last week will mark a positive step toward securing the funding we so desperately need.

“The school has been at the heart of the community now for over 135 years offering a welcoming and inclusive environment to children from various backgrounds. However, the rapid increase in enrolment and the growing needs of its students have made it clear that the current facilities are no longer sufficient.

“The school is crumbling away and to fix it simply isn’t the solution, it is a serious health and safety issue now and I would like to see the 14 or 15 schools in front of us that are getting the funding to see what state they are in compared to Holy Family Primary School.

“We have mobiles that are falling apart and during the winter we have a real problem with mice and leaking ceilings, we urgently need a new school.”

During his visit, Minister Girvan attended a special assembly organised by the Key Stage Two pupils, where they highlighted the urgent repairs and challenges the school is facing. The students also shared that they represent over 20 different nationalities, offering him a glimpse into the school's diverse community. The assembly concluded with a moving rendition of We Are the World, with lyrics rewritten to support their plea for a new school.

Following the assembly, the Minister was given a brief tour of the 135-year-old building, where he witnessed the significant structural and health and safety concerns first hand. Minister Girvan spoke to the pupils and to Principal Mr Mc Cormack stating: “Your message has certainly come across loud and clear about the need of a new school. Your school is incredible despite the constraints that you have, it is my job to do what I can to support you and alongside my executive colleagues.
“Holy Family is just like many other schools that needs investment and I am making that case for that additional
funding.”

SDLP MLA Patsy McGlone, who was also present during the visit, has been assisting the school in their efforts to
secure funding for rebuilding.

“Parts of the school are over 130 years old and are no longer fit for purpose,” he said.
“It is essential that we maintain and update school buildings, such as the ones at Holy Family, to ensure these schools can continue to play a central part in the educational experience of our young people.
“I thank the Minister for coming to the school this week to talk to teachers and parents about the import role the school has in the community.

“My thanks to the school as well for the kind hospitality we received on the day.
“The pupils put on a wonderful display of the multi-cultural talent this diverse school has with pupils of 20 different nationalities.
“The SDLP will continue to work closely with the school and the department to secure the funding for the necessary work at Holy Family.”