Ballycastle Shared Education Campus receives planning permission

The £50 million investment will cement the successful partnership between the schools, allowing their relationship to further develop and grow. It will provide a brand new shared campus including top quality sports facilities for the schools as well as additional purpose built Youth Club facilities to enhance the programmes and services provided on site.

Ian Williamson, Principal of Ballycastle High School, commented,

“We are very pleased that our desire for a Shared Education Campus in Ballycastle has reached this exciting juncture. The school community can look forward to modern educational facilities which will benefit the pupils of both schools and the wider Ballycastle community.  It is testament to the vision and dedication of our predecessors that we have reached this significant stage. We will gain much from our sharing arrangement with Cross and Passion College and build on the rich heritage of Ballycastle High School.  

“Founded in 1911 on the Quay Road Hall site, the school moved in 1931 to the site of the current Ballycastle Integrated Primary School and then in 1960 moved to the current site on Rathlin Road. Having served this community for 121 years, we are very much looking forward to retaining the ethos, governance and identity of Ballycastle High school and consolidating the shared partnership with Cross and Passion College.

“What has been achieved in Ballycastle is a unique opportunity to realise significant benefits for the young people of this area. This is being achieved in a school campus arrangement which safeguards the individual integrity, ethos and identity of both schools but maximises the opportunities of sharing in that context. These curricular and extra-curricular opportunities will add significant value to the experience of our pupils and the wider community.

“We want to add our sincere thanks to all key stakeholders who have worked over the last number of years to achieve this fantastic outcome.”

CSSC School Support Officers work with schools to encourage and facilitate participation in shared education.

28 June 2021