Two new parish primary schools and one senior signature school are to open in September next year, the education minister announced yesterday.

Diallo Rabain said that Francis Patton Primary School and Purvis Primary School would become new-style parish primary schools.

He did not reveal where the signature school would be, but said it would offer two specialist subjects — hospitality and tourism and educational services.

An education ministry spokeswoman said: “Those working on developing the hospitality and tourism and education services signature learning programmes will have the opportunity to work with and learn from those involved designing the signatures for Bermuda’s two current senior schools, the Berkeley Institute and CedarBridge Academy.

“Educators from across the system and key stakeholder groups have been invited to express an interest in joining the school transformation team, which will work together over a 17-month period to bring these new school models to life.“

The developments are part of a major shake-up of the education system, which will see the number of primary schools slashed and middle schools abolished altogether.

The spokeswoman said: “Both Francis Patton Primary and Purvis Primary schools’ sites will embrace the models and features of parish primary schools, as determined through the extensive engagement process that concluded in July 2021.

“The site for the new senior signature school will be announced in due course”.

For more information on the schools changes, visit www.learningfirstbda.com