Local schools urged to apply for SEP financial support | Latest Newry News, Newry Sport and Newry Business for Newry City

Local schools urged to apply for SEP financial support

walktoschoolSchools are being invited to apply for financial support for capital projects costing up to £4million.

Education Minister Peter Weir announced the second call for the School Enhancement Programme (SEP) as he viewed progress on the £2.9million improvement project at Sullivan Upper School, Holywood.

The project will provide a 3G hockey pitch with floodlighting and a stand-alone two-storey pavilion which will include a gymnasium and space for drama and dance.

Peter Weir said, “The new School Enhancement Programme will target investment at schools which have immediate and pressing needs but where new builds are not deemed affordable or deliverable within the capital budget available. Schools can apply to the programme for a project costing between £0.5m up to £4 million.

“I fully expect the second call to mirror the continuing success of the first SEP call which was announced in March 2014 and, to date, has delivered a total investment of over £136million across 53 projects.

Article continues below:

Jan End 2017“I have been fortunate to see a number of these schemes which include extensions, new sports halls, drama studios and 3G pitches. All of them have made a real and positive difference to the staff and pupils.”


The Department’s strategy for capital investment has been, and will remain, focused on supporting the development and delivery of a network of viable and sustainable schools, shaped by the outworking of the Area Planning process.

The Minister added, “In addition to this SEP call I am continuing to advance the programme of major capital builds as well as a sizeable programme of much needed minor works across the estate. I am also investing substantially in maintenance works across all schools, despite the considerable constraint on the resource budget.


“This announcement is not only good news for schools but it will also represent a welcome boost to the economy, especially the construction industry, over the coming years as projects come to fruition.”

Short URL: https://newrytimes.com/?p=59284

Posted by on Feb 6 2017. Filed under Community. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry

Leave a Reply







Find us on Facebook

Log in | Designed by Gabfire themes