About 40% of pupils are set to be admitted through academic selection.
The rest will be admitted on the basis that the new school is their nearest Catholic post-primary school."The proposal will bring together De La Salle High School, St Mary's High School and St Patrick's Grammar School to create a new grammar school in the trusteeship of the De La Salle Congregation," the CCMS said.
"The new co-educational post-primary school will have a vision and ethos of inclusion and educational excellence in keeping with the tradition espoused by the Catholic family of schools. "CCMS and Trustees look forward to working with the school communities in establishing the new school." But some parents of pupils of St Patrick's Grammar - locally known as the 'Red High' - have contacted BBC News NI to express their disappointment at the merger.More on this story
Downpatrick to become home of the new Harvard of County Down (mainly for Catholics only). Will King Charles III now remove QUB's award for Shared Education, the latest failed initiative from Tony Gallagher's gang at the School of Education. QUBVChancellor
I can only hope the assembly song does not start with oh ah
Why bit mixed schools sure that's what they tell us to do.
Another slap on the bake for loyalists
Awful awful decision Minister!
An unfortunate decision impacting students and staff.
Another opportunity for integrated education in Downpatrick missed for a generation. BlackwaterIC and DownHighSchool doing a great job, but much more could be done for integrated education in Downpatrick. IntEdAlumni niciebelfast IEFNI