Strule Shared Education Campus, Omagh
A pioneering approach to delivering education in Northern Ireland
Project Description
The Strule Shared Education Campus, Omagh is a pioneering approach to delivering education in the region, by bringing together pupils from local schools with representation from the controlled, maintained and voluntary school sectors.
The Programme will deliver a shared education campus for over 4,000 post primary pupils in the wider Omagh area.
The six schools involved are Arvalee School & Resource Centre, Christian Brothers Grammar School, Loreto Grammar School, Omagh Academy Grammar School, Omagh High School and Sacred Heart College.
Each school will retain their individuality and ethos whilst maximising the opportunities provided through collaboration and sharing. This means that the widest range of subjects will be available to the students on campus. Schools will be able to deliver a 21st century curriculum in progressive, modern and flexible facilities, aspects of which will be enhanced significantly through sharing resources. The campus approach will also facilitate better connectivity between mainstream and special needs schools.
Placing education strategically at the heart of the community means that young people are connected through education which filters into the wider community. There is potentially a huge social and educational dividend which can promote and enhance community relations.
Shared Facilities
The main areas of sharing across the campus will be:
- The Shared Education Centre – covering areas like technology and design, music, drama, art, science, home economics and Sixth Form Study
- The Shared Sports Centre and Sports Pavilion – including multiple courts, a covered multi-use games area and spectator seating
- Sharing in the core schools for minority subjects and areas of subject excellence.
Primary Objectives
There are three overarching objectives that will be achieved through the successful delivery of shared education at Strule:
- Promoting excellence in educational provision, achievements, experience and outcomes through delivery of exemplar facilities;
- Providing future delivery of the post primary estate on an Area Planning basis that ensures the delivery of a 21st century curriculum; and
- Stimulating further development and regeneration of Omagh Town and wider district through provision of facilities that are widely accessible to all members of the local community.
Project Status
- Site preparations were completed in August 2020
- Arvalee School and Resource Centre opened in September 2016
- Full Planning approvals attained in November 2016
- Strathroy Link Road was completed in November 2019
- Awaiting planning approval for Gortin Road Widening Project
- Next steps include appointing a Contractor for the Main Works Contract, Grass Pitch and Bridge Contract
SIB Involvement
SIB is providing the Construction Director and a Communications Adviser to the programme. They work within and alongside a programme management team in the Department of Education.
For further information contact:
Jennifer Morgan, Construction Director
