Education Minister Paul Givan has formally marked the start of a £22 million redevelopment at Glenwood Primary School in north Belfast, cutting the first sod on a project that will transform the historic 1920s building into a modern educational facility while preserving its architectural heritage.
The Grade B1 listed school, located on Upper Riga Street, dates back to 1928. The current redevelopment represents one of the largest single capital investments in a primary school in the area, combining sensitive restoration of the original structure with a substantial new-build extension.
Project Scope and Timeline
The construction programme, which began in February 2026 and is anticipated to complete in February 2028, will deliver:
- A full refurbishment of the existing two-storey historic school building, originally designed by renowned schools architect RS Wilshere
- A new extension block containing ten classrooms
- A dedicated library facility
- New dining facilities
- Upgraded accessibility and thermal performance to meet modern standards
Hamilton Architects serves as the lead Integrated Consultant Team, with County Tyrone-based Bell Contracts Limited appointed as the main building contractor. The project secured planning approval in February 2025 following extensive design work to balance the building’s listed status—retaining original features including its distinctive open internal courtyard—against the need for 21st-century teaching spaces.
Minister Hails “Key Milestone”
Speaking at the sod-cutting ceremony on 13 May 2026, Paul Givan emphasised the long-term benefits for the Shankill Road community:
“Today represents a key milestone for Glenwood Primary School. When complete, this new extension and refurbished historic building will provide state-of-the-art facilities that will not only help pupils grow, but thrive, ensuring they are best placed to reach their full potential.
“There has been considerable work to get to this stage. I commend the school and stakeholders for their dedication, commitment and perseverance in bringing the project from initial design, through planning and into construction. It is a journey that displays the very best of our school communities.
“I wish the pupils, staff, governors and parents of Glenwood Primary School every success as this exciting new chapter unfolds and the vision for their school buildings become a reality.”
Principal Welcomes “Investment in the Future”
Principal Wesley Wright, who joined the Minister alongside representatives from the Board of Governors, Education Authority officials, and the project team, highlighted the community impact:
“This is a significant day for Glenwood Primary School. This project will benefit the whole school community by providing access to improved facilities that will further enhance the excellent provision delivered by our staff. It is the result of years of hard work, planning and teamwork, and I pay tribute to everyone involved. Our new school is an investment in the future of our pupils and our community.”
Broader Context and Unanswered Questions
The Glenwood project forms part of a wider £80 million capital funding package announced in June 2024, which also includes new facilities for Edendork Primary School in County Tyrone and Mary Queen of Peace Primary School in Ballymena. While the Department for Education celebrates this milestone, several significant questions remain unaddressed in the official announcement.
Notably, the press release offers no detail on how pupils and staff will be accommodated during the two-year construction period, nor does it specify what Special Educational Needs (SEN) facilities will be included—despite Minister Givan’s recent policy mandate requiring all mainstream schools to establish dedicated SEN provision by February 2026. Given the Education Authority’s reported £300 million funding gap for 2025-2026, the criteria used to prioritise this project over other maintenance backlogs across the estate also remain unclear.
Additionally, while the refurbishment promises improved “thermal performance,” specific energy efficiency targets and sustainability measures for the 98-year-old building have not been disclosed, raising questions about long-term running costs for the school budget.
What to Watch For
With completion scheduled for February 2028, stakeholders will be monitoring progress closely to ensure the heritage-sensitive project remains on schedule and within budget. The success of this high-profile capital scheme may also set precedents for how the Department balances historic preservation against modern educational needs in future school upgrades across Northern Ireland.
For further details on the project, visit the Department for Education announcement.
Questions for the Department and Education Authority:
- What specific temporary accommodation arrangements will be provided for pupils during the construction period, and how will disruption to daily learning be minimised?
- Given the Minister’s recent directive on Special Educational Needs provision, what dedicated SEN facilities and sensory spaces will be incorporated into both the new block and the refurbished historic building?
- How does the £22 million investment align with the Education Authority’s reported £300 million funding shortfall, and what capital projects have been deferred to prioritise this scheme?
- What measurable energy efficiency and carbon reduction targets have been set for the refurbishment of the 1928 building, and how will these impact the school’s future utility costs?
- Will the new facilities include community use provisions for out-of-hours access, given the project’s description as an “investment in the community”?