It has been a long time coming but for the students, parents and staff of Slemish College both past and present, the prospect of a modern, purpose-built, and fit-for-purpose educational facility is the prize for vision, dedication and determination to see our children educated together without religious division.
Hailed as Northern Ireland’s ‘first planned integrated post primary school’, the College opened in response to parental demand for an integrated college in the Ballymena area during heightened sectarian tensions in the town, and in particular the well-documented dispute at Harryville Chapel.
Gaining approval from the Department of Education in 1996, the College has grown from strength to strength to become one of the most popular schools in North Antrim, currently with over 900 pupils.
It is the success and growth at the College that have accentuated the need for a new facility.
Exciting plans have now been published that reveal just how the multi-million pound new-build campus will look. Slemish College has been working with the Department of Education to progress the campus vision.
The College is now at Stage 2 of the project which is being funded through the Fresh Start Programme.
Commenting on the new campus vision, Mr Michael Bennett, Principal of Slemish College told Love Ballymena:
“We are delighted with the plans for our new school campus, which will be located a short distance from our current Larne Road campus.
“The exciting new school campus will enable us to provide enhanced facilities and opportunities for our young people.
“We are thankful for the funding and the commitment from the Department of Education to grow and develop Integrated Education in the Mid-Antrim area.”
This purpose-built campus will have state-of-the-art sport facilities as well as excellent facilities for all subjects, including Science, Technology, Drama, Modern Languages and the Arts.