THE heavily oversubscribed Strangford Integrated College has lost a bid for extra places.
Education Minister Peter Weir turned down a proposal even though his officials said it should be approved.
The school sought to increase the number of Year 8 pupils from 110 to 130, with an annual phased rise in overall enrolments from 670 to 760.
A case for change document supporting the expansion said there had been a trend of significant demand from parents and children within the school’s catchment area.
It added there was a need for a permanent boost to numbers following smaller temporary increases being granted in the past three years.
Huge demand for schools in the wider area forced the Department of Education to create extra places.
However, the case for change added there were unfilled places within existing post-primary schools and the proposal did not take account of area-based solutions.
Five other non-grammar schools in the Ards and north Down area said they did not agree with the planned increase.
In rejecting it, Mr Weir said such a change would have a clear detrimental impact on non-selective education provision in other schools.
Strangford Principal Clare Foster said the decision was difficult to comprehend.
"The college has been heavily oversubscribed in recent years. Indeed Strangford College has increased by 38.2 per cent over the last six years which is indicative of the increasing demand for all-ability integrated education in North Down Ards and the peninsula," she said.
"We will work closely with parents in the local community and seek temporary variation to our admission number in an attempt to meet parental choice for all-ability integrated education."
