Concerns have emerged regarding the merger of three post-primary schools on Northern Ireland’s north coast, as governors from Dunluce School claim that pupils “appear to have been forgotten” in the process. The governors withdrew from the interim board of Causeway Academy, a new integrated school expected to open in September 2026, citing a “total misunderstanding” of school governance by the project leaders.
Causeway Academy will result from the merger of Coleraine College, North Coast Integrated College, and Dunluce School. However, the new academy will operate across the three existing sites in Coleraine and Bushmills, as the Education Authority (EA) stated that this model is “student-centred.” The EA added that maintaining the three-site setup aims to “minimise movement for students throughout their post-primary school career.”
The three schools involved are situated in different locations, with Dunluce School located in Bushmills, County Antrim, while the other two are about eight miles away in Coleraine, County Londonderry. Local assembly member Cara Hunter from the Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) expressed frustration, stating that the schools involved in the merger have been thrown into “total disarray.” She noted the lack of clarity regarding a future site for Causeway Academy, highlighting ongoing confusion about how the amalgamation will proceed.
Originally, plans suggested the construction of a new single-site school on the campus of Ulster University in Coleraine. However, as no new building has materialized, the academy is set to operate from the existing schools. This has raised concerns among parents about how the new school will function and whether it will affect their children’s education. Previous consultations indicated that many parents felt this arrangement would limit parental choice and create unnecessary disruption.
In a letter to the EA, the five governors from Dunluce School criticized the leadership of the project, stating there is a “total misunderstanding of what governance is within a school.” They called for independent oversight in the process, arguing that an impartial party should collaborate with the interim board of governors to ensure that preparations for Causeway Academy are effective and suitable for students, who they believe have been overlooked in the transition.
Assembly member Claire Sugden, an independent representative, emphasized the need for the Department of Education to address the ongoing uncertainty surrounding the school. She described the resignations of the governors as disappointing but not unexpected, given the lack of clarity from the department regarding the school’s future. Sugden acknowledged the significant effort that the interim board has made in progressing towards the establishment of Causeway Academy.
Families and staff are reportedly left “in limbo,” with the prospect of pupils remaining across the three sites for an extended period. Sugden highlighted that the department’s indecision has created challenges for those involved in making the new school operational. “People need to know what the long-term plan is, where the school will be based, and when that will happen,” she stated.
In response, Cara Hunter reiterated the seriousness of the situation, urging Education Minister Paul Givan to intervene. She called for actions that would restore confidence, safeguard the vision of an inclusive Causeway Academy, and provide necessary clarity before the situation worsens.
A spokesperson for the EA responded to the governors’ letter, stating they would provide a reply in due course. They reaffirmed that Causeway Academy will open in September 2026 across the three existing sites, emphasizing a “student-centred” approach designed to enhance the educational experience while allowing exam year groups to complete their studies at their current locations.
The spokesperson also acknowledged that the “process of change” may lead to differing opinions, adding that the EA intends to collaborate with stakeholders to ensure improvements in education as a result of the merger. The interim principal is reportedly working alongside the interim board and current school leaders to prepare adequately for the school’s opening.
During a session with Stormont’s Education Committee on October 22, Paul Givan addressed the ongoing situation, confirming that the three-site model is likely to continue. While he acknowledged the desire for a single site, he remarked that the estimated cost of over £20 million for such a project is currently impractical given the department’s budget constraints. Givan expressed dissatisfaction with the current arrangement, stating, “It’s not acceptable… I don’t believe that is an outcome which is the best.”
As the situation regarding Causeway Academy continues to unfold, stakeholders await clarity on the future of the new integrated school and the educational paths for the students involved.
