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School closure decision attacked School closure decision attacked
(about 5 hours later)
Parents and staff have attacked the decision to close St Joseph's High School in Plumbridge at the end of this academic year.Parents and staff have attacked the decision to close St Joseph's High School in Plumbridge at the end of this academic year.
They say feel betrayed by both the Council for Catholic Maintained Schools (CCMS) and the education authorities. They say they feel betrayed by both the Council for Catholic Maintained Schools (CCMS) and the education authorities.
Education Minister Maria Eagle said falling pupil numbers would affect the County Tyrone school's ability to deliver the full curriculum.Education Minister Maria Eagle said falling pupil numbers would affect the County Tyrone school's ability to deliver the full curriculum.
She said she knew the decision would be a disappointment to many.She said she knew the decision would be a disappointment to many.
"But I also know that the pupils currently attending St Joseph's High will transfer to nearby schools where there is surplus provision and where they can continue their education and enjoy the breadth of choice and opportunity they deserve," she said."But I also know that the pupils currently attending St Joseph's High will transfer to nearby schools where there is surplus provision and where they can continue their education and enjoy the breadth of choice and opportunity they deserve," she said.
'Process of consultation''Process of consultation'
Gerry Strong, principal of St Joseph's for the past nine years, said: "It has honestly been the happiest nine years of my life.Gerry Strong, principal of St Joseph's for the past nine years, said: "It has honestly been the happiest nine years of my life.
"I have been teaching 35 years in total - most of which has been spent in England - and I have worked in schools of 1,700 (pupils) and one with 1,400, and they are so impersonal - they are like factories."I have been teaching 35 years in total - most of which has been spent in England - and I have worked in schools of 1,700 (pupils) and one with 1,400, and they are so impersonal - they are like factories.
Gerry Strong: "It has been the happiest nine years of my life"Gerry Strong: "It has been the happiest nine years of my life"
"When I came back here nine years ago, I was looking forward to the intimacy and caring that small schools generate, and I was part of that, and thankfully I have had that experience.""When I came back here nine years ago, I was looking forward to the intimacy and caring that small schools generate, and I was part of that, and thankfully I have had that experience."
The CCMS said it had been engaged in a process of consultation and discussion with the trustees, governors and community of St Joseph's High School for four years.The CCMS said it had been engaged in a process of consultation and discussion with the trustees, governors and community of St Joseph's High School for four years.
A CCMS spokesman said: "The decision to close any Catholic maintained school is never taken lightly and occurs only after a period of full and inclusive consultation.A CCMS spokesman said: "The decision to close any Catholic maintained school is never taken lightly and occurs only after a period of full and inclusive consultation.
"Unfortunately, St Joseph's High School has been a casualty of the demographic downturn which is affecting so many schools across all educational sectors.""Unfortunately, St Joseph's High School has been a casualty of the demographic downturn which is affecting so many schools across all educational sectors."