Concerns have been raised over to merge a Catholic maintained primary school amalgamate with a Church of Ireland controlled school in Co Derry..
Proposals have been put forward to amalgamate Knocknagin Primary School (pictured) in Desertmartin with neighbouring Desertmartin Primary School were revealed to parents last week.
If the proposed plans do go ahead, it would be Northern Ireland’s first shared faith school.
The school would be jointly managed by the Catholic Church, Church of Ireland, Methodist and Presbyterian Churches.
It is understood the board of governors and staff at both schools support the move, however a number are against the idea.
A consultation process, which will give parents the opportunity to share their views, is to begin in September with the Minster of Education having the final say.
Knocknagin currently has 53 pupils while Desertmartin has 23 enrolled.
In the past both schools have joined together to maximise resources.
A shared-learning partnership has also been established between the two schools which aims to encourage children to respect each other through regular working together.
While a ‘joint faith’ school such as the one proposed, is aimed at protecting both traditions, there has been mixed reaction to the proposed plans within the local community.
One parent, who did not wish to be named, said he was ‘against’ the idea of a faith school.
He said: “I couldn’t believe it when I learned of the proposed plans to amalgamate the two schools.
“If the plans were to go ahead, I would be gravely concerned about my children losing their Catholic identity.
“During those early years, it is vitally important that children receive religious education, it is needed to develop their Catholic faith.
“While I support the shared education programme that is currently in place, I do not support the proposed amalgamation.”
He concluded: “I would be afraid that my children’s Catholic faith would be diluted in a shared faith school.”
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