Elmgrove Primary School, once attended by global music icon Sir Van Morrison, is in for a creative and dazzling turn. From September 2026, it will serve as an on-campus home for students at Greenwood House special school. Elmgrove School shut down in 2024. This unfortunate decision pushed students and faculty to temporarily move to a former administration building across the street.
The former Elmgrove site now stands at the busy Beersbridge Road. It’s not only known for its connection to Sir Van Morrison, either — it’s near “the hollow,” that he made famous in his classic “Brown Eyed Girl.” This amendment is intended to help meet the urgent demand for more special school places in Belfast.
Richard Pengelly, Chief Executive of the Education Authority (EA), has described the current shortfall of school places for children with Special Educational Needs (SEN) as a “crisis.” The relocation of Greenwood House to Elmgrove is just the latest step in years-long efforts to add school capacity in the neighborhood.
In a statement, an EA spokesperson noted, “As part of ongoing efforts to increase capacity across the school estate, EA has been working closely with Greenwood House to expand its provision from age 3 to age 11 from September 2026, utilising the old Elmgrove site which will be refurbished as part of the plans.”
Gary Forbes, chair of Greenwood House’s board of governors, said he was hopeful about the transition. He indicated that the move would provide more educational opportunities for local children and give parents “a degree of comfort and assurance about their children’s education and development.”
“It’ll really help families, and we’re also looking forward to expanding to use the old Elmgrove site.” – Gary Forbes
This year begins the actual process of transition. We’re thrilled to be able to welcome kids all the way through to Primary 7 at the new space! Forbes celebrated the leadership of principal Lorriane Thompson and the committed staff of Greenwood House. We appreciate the fact that they really rolled up their sleeves during this long transition period.
Greenwood House has taken an impactful step. Naíscoil na Seolta, the first integrated Irish medium primary school in east Belfast, would like, ultimately, to move to the Orangefield site.
Belfast has a huge issue creating sufficient school places, especially for kids with special educational needs. The new facilities at the former Elmgrove school are an important part of combating these challenges and creating better choices for education in the community.
