The Abbey Grammar in Newry has secured £12.23 million from the Department of Education to build a new school.

Last July, £5 million was awarded to secure a 23-acre ‘green field’ site and now plans for the new school can commence after this second award was made from the department’s capital programme.

Principal Dermot McGovern said: “The announcement has given a lift to everyone associated with the Abbey, including staff, present and past pupils, parents, board of Governors and trustees.”

The new building will have 55 teaching rooms with associated support staff facilities.

The full schedule of accommodation includes nine science laboratories, ICT facilities, lecture theatre, technology and design complex, sports hall and assembly hall, senior study facilities and common rooms and a modern cafeteria.

In addition the school will include football pitches and recreational areas.

A design team, including architects, has been appointed and their focus is to create a ‘new Abbey’, which will bring staff and pupils into the 21st century.

The school has been based at its site on Courtenay Hill since 1966. It was designed for only 350 pupils but now with a student population of 875 it has spread into significant mobile accommodation.

The new building is expected to be finished by September 2006.

Progress of the new school will be regularly updated here on the Abbey Website.