St John the Baptist College in Portadown has been given the go-ahead for a major increase in pupil numbers.
The school will see enrolment increase from 300 to 500 pupils.
St John the Baptist College has been notified of the successful outcome to a development proposal which Armagh I reported on in November.
And this afternoon (Monday), Education Minister Peter Weir also confirmed the increase.
The news has been welcomed by SDLP Upper Bann MLA Dolores Kelly.
She said: “It is a wonderful testimony to the leadership team, staff, board of governors and parents that St John the Baptist College has been supported by the Minister for Education, Peter Weir, who has agreed the development proposal to increase the number of admissions from 300 to 500 pupils.
“This is fantastic news and a real vote of confidence in the College and in Portadown.
“The campaign, however, is not yet over as the re-designation of the school to 11-18 status continues but we’ve come a long way from the days when past primary Catholic and maintained education in Portadown was on the verge of extinction.”
Party colleague, Councillor Eamon McNeill, also hailed today’s news.
He said: “It will now be very reassuring for parents and children that they can now be taught up to GCSE level at their local college.
“I want to congratulate and thank the whole school community in their hard work and dedication which has made this possible.”
