New 600-pupil integrated college in Northern Ireland set to open in 2026

A new integrated post primary school in the Mid Down is set to open in September 2026 with provision in place for students from aged 11 - 19.

Approval for the new 600-pupil Mid-Down Integrated College in the Saintfield and Crossgar area was granted in October 2023, however meant the closure of the 250-pupil Blackwater Integrated College in Downpatrick.

The newly formed Interim Board of Governors, made up of members from the parental steering group which successfully petitioned a Development Proposal, has issued an update on the positive progress that has been made to date.

Neil McGrath, chair of the Interim Board of Governors (IBoG) for Mid Down Integrated College, said: “We have been working hard and taking positive steps towards the opening of the new Mid Down Integrated College which is set to open its doors in September 2026.

"The Department of Education is in the process of preparing a project brief to enable the procurement of an Integrated Consultant Team to initially carry out Technical/Feasibility stages required in order to deliver the project in terms of the preferred site and required accommodation. Once appointed, the team will also engage with all relevant stakeholders throughout the process.”

Sandra Patterson, deputy chair of the Interim Board of Governors (IBoG), added: “The new Mid Down Integrated College will replace Blackwater Integrated College on a less restricted site and will accommodate 600 pupils. The new school will represent the needs and requirements of the Mid Down area and the Blackwater Integrated College community.

"The IBoG have been working closely with the students of Blackwater Integrated College to understand everything from their uniform to their own aspirations for the new school; we are forming everything with them, and our future pupils in mind.”

The first Open Night for the new College will be in January 2026, however, any student currently registered in Blackwater Integrated College will also transfer across automatically into the new school in September 2026.

Stephen Taylor, principal of Blackwater Integrated College, added: “It is an exciting time for our students as the plans are very much underway for a new school which will enable them to avail of the many benefits that are vital to support children of all abilities and backgrounds.

"Every young person should have access to high quality, inclusive education and we are pleased to announce that Mid Down Integrated College will also have specialist provision in place for SEN students in Years 8 – 12.

“The demand for the provision of Integrated education continues to increase across Northern Ireland. Mid Down Integrated College is building on the current Integrated primary schools in the locality including Killyleagh IPS, Millennium IPS, Cedar IPS and Drumlins IPS who have all been strong advocates for the formation of the new College.

"This reinforces the need for increased Integrated provision, and we look forward to engaging with stakeholders, including local feeder schools and parents of primary aged children in the local area, to work together to shape the future of our new school.”