New £53 million campus in Downpatrick, completed in June 2025, has been in use by 950 pupils since August 2025 and was officially opened on 26 June 2026.
01 July 2026 – Down High School in Downpatrick has been formally opened by the Lord-Lieutenant of County Down, Gawn Rowan Hamilton, in the presence of Paul Givan MLA, Minister of Education, marking the completion of a £53 million construction programme delivered by GRAHAM for the Northern Ireland Department of Education.
The new campus on Strangford Road has been in use by 950 pupils since the start of the 2025/26 academic year. Constructed with a structural steel frame and precast concrete upper floors, the building combines facing brick, rendered blockwork and aluminium curtain walling.
Designed with sustainability at its core, the school features energy-efficiency measures including photovoltaic panels, mixed-mode ventilation with heat recovery, rainwater harvesting, high levels of insulation and airtightness, high-efficiency gas boilers, and low-energy lighting throughout.
Facilities include a sports hall, dedicated PE suite and sports pitches, delivering a significant upgrade to the learning environment for students and staff across South Down.
The project carries particular significance for the GRAHAM site team, a number of whom attended Down High School as pupils and have lived and worked in the local area throughout the build.
Chris MacLeod, regional director at GRAHAM, said: “The opening of Down High School marks the end of a project that has meant a great deal to everyone who worked on it.
“For a number of the team, this was not simply a construction contract: it was a school they attended, a community they are part of, and a building they will see in use for decades to come.”
Paul Givan MLA, Minister of Education, said: “This major project saw significant investment of over £53m, which will provide state-of-the-art facilities that will greatly enhance the learning, as well as a new sports hall, PE facilities and sports pitches. It has been quite a journey. Everyone involved should be proud of what has been achieved.
“As we look ahead, I wish everyone at Down High School continued success. I have no doubt that this new school building will be a place where pupils thrive, where talents are discovered and futures shaped.”
Principal Maud Perry said: “This official opening marks an important milestone in the history of the school, celebrating both a new chapter in the life of our community and a continued commitment to the traditions, values and enduring ethos that have defined the school since its foundation in 1933. Thanks to all those who were part of making it happen.”
Mervyn Storey, chairperson of the Education Authority, said: “The new campus at Down High School represents a significant investment in the children and young people of Newry, Mourne and Down.
“Every child deserves to be educated in fit-for-purpose facilities where they can reach their full potential. This new campus offers pupils exactly that- state-of-the-art classrooms and outstanding sports facilities that will significantly enhance learning opportunities and continue to inspire future generations to come.
“Congratulations to the pupils, principal, staff and entire project team for their dedication in bringing this first-class school to fruition.”
GRAHAM’s delivery of Down High School has also been shortlisted for a 2026 Northern Ireland Construction Award in the Education category. GRAHAM is a privately-owned, national construction and development company with a £1.125bn turnover, operating from a network of 17 regional offices throughout the UK and Ireland. Down High School forms part of a secured pipeline exceeding £2bn across the company’s core market sectors.
