Education Minister Paul Givan has marked the official start of construction on a new £10 million primary school in Glenravel, ending a decade-long wait for pupils and staff currently split across two rural sites three miles apart. The sod-cutting ceremony at Mary Queen of Peace Primary School on 18 May 2026 signals the beginning of a 14-month building programme that will finally reunite the school community under one roof.
The project addresses long-standing logistical challenges faced by the 223 pupils who have been commuting between campuses in Martinstown and Cargan since the school formed in 2016 from the amalgamation of Glenravel Primary and St Mary’s Primary. Recent transport failures affecting the split-site arrangement have highlighted the urgency of completing the new build, which is scheduled to open in July 2027.
Minister and Principal Welcome Milestone
Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony, Paul Givan emphasised the broader significance of the investment for the rural County Antrim community:
“Today marks the beginning of an exciting chapter for Mary Queen of Peace Primary School and the wider community of Glenravel.
“Providing inspiring environments for teaching and learning is a key factor in supporting our children to thrive. This investment will deliver lasting benefits for years to come, ensuring Mary Queen of Peace can deliver high quality education for generations to come.
“Schools are so much more than just the building that houses them, they are the people who teach, lead and work within them and the parents and wider communities that support them, often going above and beyond.
“I commend the school and all those involved for their hard work in reaching this milestone and I wish them every success as the vision for the new school becomes a reality.”
Principal Malachy Conlon, who has navigated the school through years of operating on separate sites, described the day as historic:
“Today is a momentous occasion in the history at Mary Queen of Peace Primary School. Our new school is the result of years of hard work, planning and teamwork. I pay tribute to everyone involved. Our new school is an investment in the future of our pupils and the whole school community.”
Decade of Delays and Transport Troubles
The new build resolves a situation that has persisted far longer than originally intended. Department of Education proposals from 2014 suggested the amalgamated school “could operate on a split site basis for a period of one year in advance of the new build completion date.” Instead, pupils have endured nine years of cross-site commuting.
The logistical strain of the dual-campus arrangement was exposed in autumn 2025 when the Education Authority (EA) informed parents at short notice that no bus service would operate for two days due to driver sickness, leaving over 100 pupils stranded. Parents highlighted the particular vulnerability of rural families who rely on EA transport because they lack alternative options or cannot drive.
According to a recent inspection report, 13% of pupils at Mary Queen of Peace have special educational needs, and 15% are entitled to free school meals. The new building will include nine classrooms, a multi-purpose hall, full production kitchen, staff facilities, three large resource areas, and a central glazed octagon.
Construction Details and Funding Questions
Woodvale Construction Ltd was formally appointed as the building contractor in February 2026, with work commencing on site in March 2026. However, official communications reveal a discrepancy in the project value: while the Department for Education press release cites a £10 million investment, the school’s own announcement of the contractor appointment referenced a £7.28 million construction contract. The Department did not immediately clarify whether the £10 million figure includes additional costs such as land acquisition, professional fees, or equipment.
Key facts about the project:
- Location: Greenfield site in Glenravel, rural County Antrim
- Capacity: 250 pupils
- Construction start: March 2026
- Completion date: July 2027
- Contractor: Woodvale Construction Ltd
- Features: Nine classrooms, library, dining facilities, 29 parking spaces
Broader Capital Investment Context
The Glenravel project forms part of a wider push on school infrastructure, coming just days after Givan cut the first sod on a £22 million redevelopment at Glenwood Primary School. The Minister has also recently announced proposals for a £1.7 billion ring-fenced SEN capital investment programme over the next decade.
Yet these individual project announcements sit against a backdrop of significant capital underspend across Northern Ireland government. Finance Minister John O’Dowd revealed in January 2026 that departments had surrendered £280 million of capital funding in the 2025-26 financial year, with £199 million subsequently reallocated to housing, health, and education projects through monitoring rounds. Education received £22 million through this process.
The Minister’s focus on capital projects also comes amid ongoing criticism from teaching unions regarding workload and pay, with recent social media posts on Department of Education announcements highlighting teacher frustration over unaddressed working conditions.
Questions for Stakeholders
- Given that pupils endured nine years on split sites rather than the planned one year, what specific safeguards has the Department implemented to prevent similar delays on future capital projects?
- How will the Education Authority ensure reliable transport provision for Mary Queen of Peace pupils during the remaining 14 months of split-site operation, particularly given the acknowledged industry shortage of drivers?
- With departments surrendering £280 million in capital funding this financial year while schools wait years for rebuilds, what transparent criteria determine which projects receive priority?
- How does this mainstream school build align with the Minister’s separate £1.7 billion SEN infrastructure pledge, given that 13% of current pupils have special educational needs?
The completion of Mary Queen of Peace Primary School in summer 2027 will mark the end of a troubled chapter for a school community that has demonstrated resilience through years of logistical disruption. Whether it signals improved efficiency in education capital delivery—or simply catches Northern Ireland up on a decade of deferred investment—remains to be seen as construction progresses.