The Principal of Fermanagh’s only integrated Primary School has announced that she will retire at the end of the school year.

Adele Kerr, Principal of Enniskillen Integrated Primary School and Nursery, informed parents of her decision via letter on Wednesday morning (March 13).

Impartial Reporter: Adele Kerr

Mrs. Kerr has been the Principal of the school for 25 years and will remain in post until August 31.

In the letter, she said: “I have informed our Board of Governors of my intention to retire from post on August, 31 2024.

“In the interests of openness and transparency, we thought we would inform you, as the process will need to commence to appoint a new Principal from September 1, 2024.

“I have been a Principal for 31 years - a long time - and have had the honour of being the Principal of this amazing, outstanding integrated nursery and school for 25 years.”

The school has been transformed during Mrs. Kerr’s tenure, having doubled its intake, with a £6.9m extension opened in 2023.

Impartial Reporter: Michelle McIlveen, (centre), Minister for Education with pupils Cora Masson and Oliver Paton

Notable visitors include former US President Barack Obama, and former Prime Minister David Cameron, who called into the school during the G8 Summit, where they met students and staff and participated in several activities with them.

During the visit, Mr. Obama told students and staff at the school to “dream big dreams”.

In 2012, Mrs Kerr was awarded an MBE for services to Education by Queen Elizabeth II.

Impartial Reporter: Adele Kerr, Principal of Enniskillen Intergrated Primary School and Nursery remembering the visit of Barack Obama and David Cameron to school.Adele Kerr, Principal of Enniskillen Intergrated Primary School and Nursery remembering the visit of Barack Obama and David Cameron to school. (Image: John McVitty)

Detailing how difficult a decision it was for her to retire, Mrs. Kerr said: “You will know this decision for me was not taken lightly, as this school is my passion, and I only ever wanted what was best for our children, and it is them I will miss.

"However, maybe it is time for a different chapter in my life.”

Mrs. Kerr assured parents that business will continue as normal, saying there is “lots of work to be done, and most of all, fun to be had”.

Impartial Reporter: Adele Kerr pictured during visit of HM Queen Elizabeth II to Enniskillen in 2012.Adele Kerr pictured during visit of HM Queen Elizabeth II to Enniskillen in 2012. (Image: John McVitty)