Around 130 tractors and other vehicles took part in a community tractor run in Co. Down as part of a campaign to keep a rural primary school open.
St. Malachy’s Primary School in Kilclief, which has around 35 pupils, has been earmarked for closure by the Council for Catholic Maintained Schools (CCMS) due to low enrolment numbers.
Under the proposal, pupils at the school would have to move to St Joseph’s Primary School in Strangford from September 2027.
School
However, there is local opposition to the plan with over 4,000 signatures already collected in a petition seeking to keep the school open.
The campaign has also attracted support from politicians, with the issue being raised in the Northern Ireland Assembly.
Laura Conway, chair of the Parent Teacher Association (PTA) at St. Malachy’s Primary School Kilclief, told Agriland that the school, which has been open for 157 years, is “at the heart of our community”.
“At the moment, it’s only a proposal, so we have formed a steering committee to fight against this and do everything we can possible to fight against the closure of the school,” she said.
On Sunday (November 13), the committee organised a community tractor run in the area to highlight the campaign.
Conway said that the committee was “overwhelmed” by the support from farmers, contractors and members of the public.
“We haven’t done a final count but there was approximately 130 tractors that came from all around.
“It was really good to see so many farmers coming from different communities just to support our school,” she said.
You can click on the gallery below to see more images from the tractor run:
Conway said that the school has always been deeply rooted in agriculture and rural life.
The children benefit from hands-on experiences with local farmers who volunteer their time to help them grow vegetables, learn about the environment, and understand where their food comes from.
“It’s an amazing opportunity for some kids who maybe don’t live on farms,” she said.
Conway claimed that St Joseph’s Primary School in Strangford does not have the capacity for the additional pupils and will also involve a longer commute for families.
“There’s so many generations that have gone to the school and that will just be completely wiped out, if they have to go elsewhere,” she said.
Sarah Kelly has two daughters currently attending St. Malachy’s Primary School.
“St. Malachy’s is a vital cornerstone of our community, providing exceptional education and fostering a nurturing environment where every child can be the best they can be.
“The closure would significantly impact our village and surrounding areas, requiring children to travel long distances and affecting the heart of our community,” she told Agriland.
“The proposed closure would be a devastating loss, not just for the pupils, but for the wider rural community.
“Our school is more than a building; it is a lifeline that keeps families connected, supports local traditions, and gives children a unique, practical education that larger towns and cities cannot provide,” Kelly added.
CCMS
In a statement, the CCMS said that operational plan 2 of the Strategic Area Plan 2022-2027, was published on January 16, 2025.
This included a work stream for the Strangford and Kilclief area in which the CCMS proposed to review maintained primary school provision in the area.
“CCMS plans carry out a pre-publication consultation with parents, staff and governors from St Malachy’s Primary School and St Joseph’s Primary School on the future of primary provision in the area.
“The consultation is due to commence early 2026,” it added.
