PARENTS, pupils, teachers and governors have staged a protest over the planned closure of a rural Catholic primary school.
It has been proposed that Barnish PS in Ballyvoy near Ballycastle will shut down next summer.
Over the past few years it has experienced a downturn in enrolment - from 91 in 2007/08 to 29 in 2018/19.
The Council for Catholic Maintained Schools said there was no indication this would increase, and no evidence it could reach the threshold of 105 pupils required by the Department of Education's sustainable schools policy.
CCMS said it considered several options before recommending closure.
It is understood the school will consider whether joining the integrated sector can save it.
A petition opposing the closure has gathered more than 800 signatures in less than two weeks.
Governor and parent Colette McVeigh said it was vital the school remained in the area.
"Speaking as a parent, there is a need to maintain a school in the parish where children can be taught in their own community and not lose their identity," she said.
The campaign is supported by the Farmers For Action which has said closing rural schools was "not acceptable".
A decision on whether Barnish PS will close will be made in the new year.
