The Education Authority (EA) are “actively” exploring sites near Armagh’s Lisanally Special Needs School with a view of expanding the school estate.
The information was provided in response to a request from Newry and Armagh MLA, Justin McNulty for the Education Minister to detail plans or proposals to increase special educational needs (SEN) provision in the city.
In response, the Education Authority advised that both the city and its surrounding area has experienced “unprecedented rise in demand for special school places over the past number of years”.
This has led to “accommodation pressures and a reduction in available spaces” in Lisanally Special School, the city’s only dedicated SEN school.
With inadequate space to cope with intake at Lisanally, the EA added: “This lack of capacity within Lisanally Special School required specialist provision classes being established within a local mainstream school, for pupils with a special school profile. ”
This temporary solution is less than ideal and so the EA say they are “actively exploring” sites near Lisanally which may present a “unique and strategic” opportunity for expansion.
“Our strategic vision is to extend the existing school estate, enabling the development of additional classrooms and specialist facilities without the need for relocation or disruption to current operations,” they continue. “This proposed expansion would not only alleviate the current shortage of teaching spaces but also ensure the school is equipped to accommodate projected enrolment growth.
“Furthermore, it would facilitate the reinstatement of a range of facilities, enabling pupils to access the full spectrum of services necessary to meet their individual needs.”
It is worth noting that in November 2025, Armagh I contacted Southern Regional College (SRC) to ask if they had any plans for the now vacant former SRC Lisanally Campus on the Lonsdale Road.
The sizeable building sits directly adjacent to the current Lisanally Special School and shares an entryway.
If the EA’s intentions are indeed to expand the school estate, there could arguably be no better property acquisition.
In reply to this publication’s request, an SRC spokesperson confirmed they were “presently preparing to dispose of this building.”
When asked if the building is being considered for potential expansion plans, a spokesperson for EA said: “In addition to the creation of six new classrooms, which are due to complete in November 2026, EA continues to engage with relevant agencies to explore all options for future expansion.”
In November 2025, the first sod was cut on major expansion plans including refurbishment of the existing school building, which is due to be completed in November 2026 and will cost £4.32 million.
Aside from the proposed expansion of Lisanally Special School, the EA add that it is engaging with schools in Armagh City to “expand or establish specialist provision with a view to providing accommodation where feasible”.
In addition to this, it confirms there are – to date – two “capital schemes” in planning to create additional specialist provision at primary schools within the area.
