To ask the Minister of Education, pursuant to AQW 45810/22-27, to detail any options being considered to expand primary one capacity at Oakwood School and Assessment Centre, Saintfield.

The Education Authority (EA) is currently progressing two separate schemes at Oakwood School and Assessment Centre, Saintfield.

The first involves the proposed acquisition of land adjacent to the school to support the expansion of Year 1 capacity. This is at an early stage of technical assessment, and I am therefore not in a position at this stage to confirm the nature of the accommodation which may be delivered. It is currently anticipated that the business case and land acquisition will be completed by April 2027.

The second scheme is the acquisition and refurbishment of the former Little Sunbeams Pre-School modular unit located on the site. It is currently anticipated that this will be operational for nursery provision by September 2027.