The Minister for Education and Children says it will be a milestone for education when he unveils the plaque to formally open St Ninian’s Lower School.
 
The ?33.8 million school at Bemahague in Onchan – a replacement for the 118-year-old Park Road building in Douglas – opened to 650 students in Key Stage 3 (Years 7 to 9) last month.
 
Next Friday (19th October) sees the formal opening in front of 200 invited guests.
 
Tim Crookall MHK said: ‘The new school will offer generations of young people a superb environment in which to learn and its formal opening will be a real milestone occasion for education in the Isle of Man.
 
‘I’d like to pay tribute to the politicians before me who initiated this project, to the DEC staff who have overseen it, to all involved in the design and construction for completing such a massive project on time and within budget, and, not least, to the staff and students of St Ninian’s for making such a seamless transition between the old building and this wonderful new one.’
 
Andy Fox, Headteacher of St Ninian’s, said: ‘Students have settled in to the new building and their new routines well. The atmosphere in school is calm and productive. This is a major advantage over the often frenetic and difficult days on the congested site at Park Road.
 
‘Students with mobility issues are able to fully access all parts of the school. This has been a major benefit to their education and the whole inclusive community at St Ninian's High School.’
 
He continued: ‘The new facilities have been welcomed by all. Drama, music, art, technology, science, ICT and sport, to name but a few subjects, have benefitted tremendously and students are flourishing as a result.
 
‘The site allows for much improved opportunities for extra-curricular activities, which the students have enjoyed tremendously.’
 
The public can tour the new school the day after the official opening (Saturday 20th October). Staff and students will be on hand to lead groups around the building between 10am and 1pm. There is no need to pre-register.