They include how the process to approve the school closure has been handled and the timing of the announcement, which has come just weeks before the beginning of a new school term.
Ms Nicholl, who sits on the Education Committee at Stormont, has said: “Using the summer holidays to decide to close a school from 1 September shows a distinct lack of empathy and understanding from the Education Minister for the parents, pupils and staff at Downey House.
“This is a very significant step, and the Minster has a responsibility to fully explain to all involved how he arrived at this decision.
“I have written to the Minster asking him to justify the timing of this decision and to ask what guarantees he can provide that this will never happen again. I have also asked him to outline the support being provided to parents, children and staff, some of whom may now be without access to a school place or who may lose their jobs because of this decision.”
Ms Bradshaw added: “Children must be the priority in any amalgamation, and it appears that this has not been the case in relation to this process
“The horrendous timing of this decision now gives only a short number of weeks for parents and children to find an alternative school place, as well as for staff to potentially find another job. It’s totally unacceptable.
“The Education Minister has a duty to outline to families and staff involved in the school why he felt the summer holidays would be an appropriate moment to approve the closure.”