A County Armagh primary school could benefit from the provision of a “part-time statutory nursery” unit, amid reports current facilities are beset with recruitment difficulties, with plans to close a local playgroup.
A formal pre-application proposal has been published in relation to Our Lady’s and St Mochua’s Primary School, Derrynoose.
The move by the Education Authority will allow for the public to have their say – up until October 10 – will a full development proposal expected to follow.
The hope is to establish a facility to deliver 26 part-time nursery places.
And the aim is that this would be in place by September 1, 2026, or “as soon as possible thereafter”.
The Education Authority received the request to publish the proposal by the Council for Catholic Maintained Schools, in consultation with St Patrick’s Educational Trust – the Trustees of Our Lady’s and St Mochua’s Primary.
A case for change has accompanied the pre-application and explains the need and reasoning to pursue the addition of this new statutory nursery unit.
Our Lady’s and St Mochua’s Primary School opened in September 2003 as the result of an amalgamation of Our Lady’s PS Carrickaduff and St Mochua’s PS, Derrynoose.
Little Acorns Playgroup is located within the grounds of Derrynoose Community Centre and adjacent to Our Lady’s and St Mochua’s PS. It is accommodated within a purpose-built mobile unit with access to a secure outdoor play area.
Little Acorns Playgroup and Our Lady’s and St Mochua’s PS work independently in terms of management and delivery of their service. But they work together to ensure smooth transition arrangements for the pupils from one setting to the other.
The case for change confirms: “Little Acorns management committee is finding it increasingly difficult to recruit and retain staff members. The inability to secure key staff members has resulted in several short-term closures of the playgroup.
“The management committee has reported challenges in managing its budget, due to increasing staff costs and other running costs, including the maintenance of its accommodation which is of poor standard.
“Health and Social Services annual reports indicate serious concerns with the playgroup accommodation and report that the building is not meeting the minimum standards.
“The management committee has identified there is a high risk the accommodation may be deemed as
condemned and unfit for use by Health and Social Services.
“The variations in the quality of provision and the leadership/management reported by ETI can be associated with the similar issues reported by the playgroup’s Management Committee. They noted difficulties in recruiting and maintaining a playgroup leader, staff, trustees, and members of the management committee.
“As a result of the increasing challenges presenting with accommodation, budget, staffing and safeguarding concerns, the management committee has indicated its intention to discontinue the provision. They have also
indicated their support for the proposal to establish a part-time statutory nursery unit at Our Lady’s and St Mochua’s Primary School to provide 26 part-time nursery places with effect from 01 September 2026, or as soon as possible thereafter.”
CCMS engaged with the Board of Governors of Our Lady’s and St Mochua’s PS to assess the potential to establish a statutory nursery in the school.
The case for change adds: “As Little Acorns Playgroup intends to close, CCMS is seeking the establishment of a statutory part-time nursery unit at Our Lady’s and St Mochua’s PS to replace this provision – with appropriate accommodation provided.
“The data available from the Pre-school Education Group suggests that pre-school provision is required in the area presently served by Little Acorns.
“If Little Acorns discontinues there will be insufficient pre-school provision within the extended area to provide for the demonstrated need.
“Most of the children attending Little Acorns transition to Our Lady’s and St Mochua’s PS and reside in the
village of Derrynoose and the surrounding area.”
According to CCMS, the proposal is focused on the challenges facing the area, such as providing the best way to address the educational needs of the pupils, given the population.
CCMS officers met representatives of the school to assess the options available in the area the case for change document provides a sustainability and area planning assessment for potential nursery provision at Our Lady’s and St Mochua’s Primary.
Accoroding to the document, the school has projected the number of pupils it believes will be enrolled into the school for its financial plans.
The case for change subsequently confirms: “Based on their projections, it is anticipated 178 pupils will be enrolled in the school in 2024/25 – including the nursery unit).
“The population projections, birth rates in the area, long-term enrolment projection and the school’s projection on the number of pupils are important as they help determine whether there are sufficient pupils to cater for sustainable provision.
“The data demonstrates there are sufficient numbers of pupils in the area for sustainable provision.”
It further adds that the establishment of a statutory nursery would enhance standards by bringing both the nursery and primary under the same management structure.
“Statutory provision would provide more stable leadership, increased continuity of learning for the pupils and open more opportunities for staff development,” it adds.
The pre-application consultation has now been published, with the Education Authority inviting public feedback before 4.30pm on October 10.
Based on the information received, a formal development proposal will follow as the school aims to plug a vital gap in potential future provision.
