Lands near a rural Co Armagh Primary School could be acquired by the Education Authority in a bid to increase Special Educational Needs (SEN) provision.
The announcement came in response to a question posed by Newry and Armagh MLA Justin McNulty regarding future plans to extend or provide a dedicated Special Educational Needs facility in Darkley.
The Education Authority have explained that Darkley Primary School had previously engaged with the SEC capacity team in May 2025 to “explore the feasibility of establishing specialist provision on site”.
However, during that process the school identified an existing single modular classroom that they believed could be repurposed.
Following a “scoping visit” by EA officers, it was concluded that the modular unit was unsuitable due to the absence of toilet facilities and the lack of essential support spaces.
The wider site was also assessed and deemed unsuitable because of its “limited size and restricted access”.
EA say the SEN Capacity Team are continuing to monitor the demand for specialist provision in the area and to support a potential solution are currently engaging with the Council regarding the possible acquisition of land adjacent to Darkley Primary School.
Said EA: “Securing this land could create opportunities for accommodation options that were previously not viable.
“The EA remains in ongoing communication with the principal regarding specialist provision and the needs of the surrounding area.”
