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Pupils learning in damp and crumbling classrooms - principal

BBC Holy Family School Principal John McCormack examining a leak in the school roofBBC
Holy Family School Principal John McCormack examining a leak in the school roof

Severe damp in classrooms, crumbling brickwork, mould on children’s toys, holes in the ceilings, and mice infestations.

These are just some of the issues with the 135 year old building occupied by Holy Family Primary in Magherafelt.

It currently caters for 580 pupils from over 20 nationalities, but its principal says its ageing infrastructure is now becoming a “health and safety issue”.

The school has been lobbying for government funding for a new building for years, but it is currently not on the list of schools approved for new builds.

Several of the classrooms are covered in damp and mould
Several of the classrooms are covered in damp and mould

A spokesperson for the Department of Education said: “The minister is acutely aware of the need for enhanced capital investment across the school estate and will continue to make the case for additional capital funding for Education."

New figures obtained by BBC News NI show that there are more than 80 schools across Northern Ireland that have had new builds approved, but work is yet to be completed.

Almost 40% are only in the design stages, and a further 25% are currently on hold.

Many of the school toys are covered in mould after being kept in stores that are covered in damp
Many of the school toys are covered in mould after being kept in stores that are covered in damp

Education Minister Paul Givan says a big part of the problem is a lack of budget.

Speaking to BBC News NI during a visit at Holy Family Primary School last week, he said: “Holy Family is like many schools; it needs investment, and I am currently making the case with my executive colleagues for that additional funding.

“I would love for the next time I visit Holy Family; I could say there is a new process available where they can apply and be considered, but at the moment, we’re not in that position, but I do want to change that.”

Givan said he recently met the finance minister to ask for greater investment in the school estate.

Mice problem

A man is looking directly into the camera. He is wearing a light blue shirt and a dark patterned tie. The background is out-of-focus, but you can make out the wall of a school with a run of windows and flowerbeds.
Principal John McCormack emphasised the importance of the minister’s visit

Principal John McCormack emphasised the importance of the minister’s visit and the urgent need for new facilities.

He said: “We really just feel sorry for our kids who have to try and learn in these conditions, breathing in the smell of damp and water coming through the ceilings, and it was important to show the minister what we’re dealing with.

“Also we have a number of mobiles that are falling apart and have holes in them, and during the winter we have a problem with mice in them; that’s just the reality of the situation we’re in.”

Staff say holes in the schools mobiles allow mice to get in
Staff say holes in the schools mobiles allow mice to get in

Mary McDermott is a teacher in the school; her classroom ceiling is covered in mould and damp.

“The smell hits you as soon as you enter the classroom, and the toys we have in the storeroom are now completely covered in mould," she said.

“My classroom assistant actually puts on a mask now before she’ll go into the storeroom; that’s how bad the mould smell is.”

Holy Family Primary School first opened 135 years ago, and parts of the original building are still used by the school.

In recent years the school has seen an increase in newcomer pupils.

The term refers to a pupil who is often originally from outside the UK and does not initially speak the same language as their class teacher as a result.

'We need a new school'

Khalid Helal came to Northern Ireland from Syria in 2017 with this wife and three children.

His children are now in secondary school, but initially attended Holy Family.

Khalid now works at the school, helping and assisting some of the newcomer pupils.

He said: “This school is a part of the Magherafelt history, but it’s very old; we need to think of the future of it.

“It always needs fixing and maintenance, and it’s continuing to grow, so the problem will only get worse."

Khalid and Violeta both work in the school
Khalid and Violeta both work in the school

Violeta Samsurina from Lithuania also works in the school and her son is a past pupil.

She said: “We just need a new building, I actually think it’s dangerous with all the mould and damp, because we have children who have asthma.

“The children are our priority and they deserve to be educated in a safe environment.”

The school ceiling has holes caused by damp
The school ceiling has holes caused by damp

A spokesperson for the Department of Finance said its minister has “consistently called out the underfunding of public services” and they have made the case to the new British Government, to prioritise investment in public services including capital investment.

The Department of Education said: “In regard to Holy Family PS, any significant health and safety risks will be prioritised and addressed by Education Authority (EA) Maintenance Service.

“The department will commission condition and structural reports on the mobiles to enable decision making on whether they are structurally sound and fit for purpose.”