Message from St Patrick’s Grammar, Downpatrick

I received the following message from St Patrick’s Grammar School this morning and attach below for your information; 

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Dear Primary School Principal,  

The Admission Criteria for Year 8 entry to St. Patrick’s Grammar School in September 2021 was published on Tuesday 2 February.  

This came shortly after the Education Authority published Development Proposals (DP) 604-607 on 27 January to close three schools in Downpatrick, including St. Patrick’s Grammar and open a new 1600+ ‘Voluntary Grammar School’ with up to 40% admitted via academic selection.  

Moreover, the DP places feeder primary schools into two categories, Category A and Category B.  

I am sure that you have been asked questions about admission and the future of education in Downpatrick.  

We want to offer our support and advice where needed and appropriate and answer any questions that you as Principal or your parents, particularly those in P6 and below, might have. We are aware that many parents will be anxious, and we want to bring as much clarity as we can to the situation to inform their decision making.  

Please share this message with your parents and ask them to contact us directly if we can help in any way – info@stpatricks.downpatrick.ni.sch.uk  

We have also sent a message to all P7 boys registered to sit the GL at our school. I attach a copy for your reference 

Joe McCann 

Principal 

St. Patrick's Grammar School 

Good Morning P7 Parent(s)/Guardian(s)  

I hope this email finds you well and safe in these difficult times. 

The Admission Criteria for Year 8 entry to St. Patrick’s Grammar School in September 2021 was published on Tuesday 2 February.  

This came shortly after the Education Authority published Development Proposals (DP) 604-607 on 27 January to close three schools in Downpatrick, including St. Patrick’s Grammar, and open a new 1600+ ‘Voluntary Grammar School’ with up to 40% admitted via academic selection on 1 September 2021.  

I am sure that you have questions about admission and the future of education in Downpatrick. We want to offer our support and advice and answer any questions, particularly for those with children in P6 and below that will be affected if the Education Minister approves the proposal.  

We are aware that many parents will be anxious, and we want to bring as much clarity as we can to the situation to inform your decision making. Please contact us directly if we can help in any way – info@stpatricks.downpatrick.ni.sch.uk 

Please remember that we are hosting our virtual Q&A session at 7pm on Thursday 25 February. Please contact my PA, Mrs J Reid to book a place - jreid156@c2kni.net 

Joe McCann 

Principal 

St. Patrick's Grammar School 

Downpatrick