£4.9 million extension project begins at Kilronan School in Magherafelt

Education Minister Paul Givan cuts the first sod for the School Enhancement Project at Kilronan School. Pictured with the Minister - Principal Sharlene Deehan, pupils Grace and Bobby, Vice Chair of the Board of Governors Damien Mitchell, Contractors Bell Contract & Co, Integrated Consultancy Team Isherwood and Ellis, Education Authority staff and further representatives from the Board of Governors. 

In a significant step forward for special educational needs (SEN) provision in Northern Ireland, Education Minister Paul Givan has officially launched a £4.9 million School Enhancement Programme (SEP) project at Kilronan School in Magherafelt.

The ceremonial sod-cutting event marks the start of construction for a state-of-the-art single-storey extension, designed to provide modern facilities for pupils, staff, and the wider school community.

The ambitious project will deliver new specialist classrooms, social areas, and support accommodation tailored to meet the needs of children and young people with special educational needs.

Scheduled for completion in late summer 2026, the development is poised to transform the learning environment at Kilronan School, fostering an inclusive and supportive setting for its pupils.

Speaking at the sod-cutting ceremony, Minister Givan expressed his enthusiasm for the project, stating:

“This is an exciting day for everyone at Kilronan, marking the start of a very important programme of construction. The investment of nearly £5million will deliver many benefits for pupils, school staff and local families.

“This project will provide modern facilities which will help children and young people at Kilronan to grow, thrive, learn and achieve their full potential.”

The initiative is part of a broader commitment to improving SEN education across Northern Ireland. Minister Givan highlighted the significance of the project within the context of his newly established SEN Capital Investment Programme, which aims to ensure that SEN pupils have access to high-quality educational environments.

Education Minister Paul Givan cuts the first sod for the School Enhancement Project at Kilronan School. Pictured with the Minister - (l to r) Principal Sharlene Deehan, pupil Grace, Vice Chair of the Board of Governors Damien Mitchell and pupil Bobby.

He added:

“I recently established the SEN Capital Investment Programme to ensure SEN pupils have access to quality education settings and that our teachers and non-teaching staff have access to the resources needed to support the excellent work that they do.

“This project marks the first of 10 special school SEP projects to proceed to construction and represents my firm commitment to delivering quality accommodation for children and young people with special educational needs.”

Kilronan School, which was included in the second tranche of 16 schools announced for the SEP on 21 January 2019, has long awaited this transformative development. The project is expected to address the evolving needs of its pupils, providing a modern, accessible, and well-resourced environment that aligns with the facilities available to mainstream schools.

Sharlene Deehan, Principal of Kilronan School, expressed gratitude and excitement about the milestone, stating:

“Governors, staff, parents and pupils are delighted to be at this stage of our SEP Journey. We are thankful to the previous principal, governors and staff who initiated the project many years ago.

“On completion the SEP should provide equality for our learners with their mainstream peers in terms of resourcing and experiences, providing a modern, bright building which will vastly enhance the day to day running for the ever changing profile of pupils, our dedicated and caring staff and indeed the whole school community.”

The new extension will not only enhance the day-to-day experience for pupils but also support the dedicated staff who work tirelessly to meet the diverse needs of their students. By providing purpose-built spaces, the project aims to create an environment where pupils can thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.

This investment underscores the Northern Ireland Executive’s commitment to improving educational infrastructure, particularly for those with special educational needs.

The Kilronan School project is the first of several planned SEP developments for special schools, signalling a sustained effort to ensure equitable access to quality education for all children.

As construction progresses over the next year and a half, the Magherafelt community and the wider region can look forward to a modern, inclusive facility that will empower Kilronan School’s pupils to reach their full potential.

The project is a testament to the power of collaborative efforts between educators, policymakers, and the community in building a brighter future for young people with special educational needs.