New ‘ultra-modern’school was to replacewooden ‘hen house’
According to the East Antrim Times in February 1965, the Ministry of Education gave the development the go-ahead for an “ultra-modern” construction to replace the existing wooden structure known locally as the “hen house”.
Mr. RS Sproule, a local representative on Antrim County Council’s education committee, made the announcement at a meeting of Raloo Unionist Association.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdThe school was to be constructed in the townland of Altelevelly.
Although architectural plans had been drawn up, Mr. Sproule admitted that a completion date was “in the wind”.
A former pupil told the East Antrim Times that the children had to descend a steep flight of steps to reach an outdoor toilet which was dangerous in frost and snow.
A parent described conditions inside the school as “atrocious” for teachers and pupils.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdIn particular, she noted a leaky roof, which meant that children had to move their desks around the classroom to avoid drips and lessons had to be “put aside” whilst a teacher mopped up pools of rain water.