Latest News
'Addressing Bias...…Challenging Bias'
Integrated College Glengormley opens Integrated Education month
To celebrate the start of Integrated Education Month 2024, Integrated College Glengormley hosted a special Anti-Bias event in the school on Friday 1st March. The event was opened by Deputy Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey, Rosie Kinnear and promoted ‘bias busting’ as a key value of integrated education.
In attendance were pupil representatives from the ICG Student Council and a number of Year 8 pupils, currently involved in a collaborative project with Edmund Rice College. Also attending were some fantastic pupils and staff from New-Bridge Integrated College, Lagan College, Priory Integrated College, Forthill Integrated College, Ballyhenry PS, Mallusk IPS, Glengormley IPS, Carnmoney PS and Sion Mills IPS.
The event was facilitated by Gerard Hughes from Community Relations In Schools (CRIS) supported by Laura Largey from the Council for Integrated Education (NICIE). It was amazing also to have support from Beyond Skin, Into Film, the Integrated Education Fund (IEF) and EA who all attended and participated in the activities. The college was also delighted to welcome past pupil and integrated Education supporter Carl Frampton back to school again.
Year 11 student Zunaira Raika, gave an inspiring speech, wowing all those present by describing her personal experiences of bias whilst encouraging the audience to not only address bias but to challenge it, in order to break the cycle of bias.
This was a wonderful day which culminated in young people devising anti bias pledges to be brought back to their own schools and shared with fellow pupils.
Support for the event was provided by the Department for Communities and the Northern Ireland Housing Executive’s ‘Housing for All’ Shared Housing Programme which reflects the Executive’s commitment to improving
Invitation to Integration Works Event March 6th 2024
The Integrated Education Fund (IEF) is hosting a special event in Belfast Castle on 6 March 2024 for all schools which are interested in finding out more about the process of Transformation and what it means for a school to transform to become Integrated. Guest speakers will include principals of both recently transformed and more established Integrated schools, and representatives from NICIE and EA Sectoral Support will be also in attendance.
Integrated Education month: March 2024 - New 'Bias Busters' resources available from INTO Film
In association with NICIE, the education charity INTO Film has produced a suite of resources to encourage schools to get involved in this year's Integrated Education month. Using the theme of Bias Busters, INTO Film is launching a special Film Buff challenge which will help pupils explore the nature of bias through non-fiction archive film and help them understand how attitudes and sensibilities change with time. INTO Film is also making free online training available to teachers who might want to to do some simple story-telling using 'shoot and screen' film making with their classes. All relevant information is provided in the documents below.
bias-busters.pdfbias-busters-film-buff-guide.pdfbias-busters-film-buff-menu.pdfThree more schools embark on the journey of Transformation
Towards the end of 2023, three primary schools received Yes votes in Parental Ballots to transform to become Integrated.
Downshire Primary School, Hillsborough, Culmore Primary School, Derry/Londonderry and Ballyhenry Primary School, Glengormley will now work alongside EA and NICIE to develop a Case for Change and 3 year Transformation Plan which will be submitted to the Department of Education for consideration by the Minister for Education, or in their absence the Permanent Secretary, who will make the final decision.
Screening of Once Upon a time in Northern Ireland for local educationalists
On 3th October 2023 BBC Northern Ireland, together with the Education Authority, hosted a special screening of the critically acclaimed series, Once Upon A Time In Northern, for teachers and school leaders in Northern Ireland.
The screening, which took place in BBC Blackstaff Studios, Belfast was followed by a panel discussion chaired by Tara Mills with Professor Duncan Morrow from the University of Ulster, Professor Tony Gallagher, Queen’s University, Belfast, Seamus Bradley, Education Authority and Roisin Marshall from Northern Ireland Council for Integrated Education. The discussion explored issues around the teaching of challenging and controversial historical material in a society emerging from conflict and how Once Upon A Time in Northern Ireland might be used in school and community education settings.
Those attending the screening included representatives from the Education Authority, CCEA, CSSC, CCMS, Community Relations in Schools, Dept. of Education, Queens University Belfast, Ulster University, Stranmillis, Open University, Léargas, NI Council Integrated Education, Integrated Education Fund, PGCE students, Early Years and teachers from schools and colleges across Northern Ireland, plus contributors from the series.
Exciting new post primary Integrated proposal approved for Coleraine
The Department of Education has given the go ahead for the establishment of a new co-educational, 11-18, non-selective Controlled Integrated post primary school in Coleraine, which will be developed in partnership with Ulster University. The new school, an amalgamation of North Coast Integrated College, Coleraine College and Dunluce school will come into effect from 1 September 2026 or as soon as possible thereafter. It will have an admissions number of 170 and an enrolment number of 1000.
The proposed college is a first for Northern Ireland. Building on the strengths of the three existing schools and working alongside UU, the Causeway Project will provide a compelling and pioneering educational offer for young people in the Causeway area. Pupils will receive a holistic education as individuals and contributors to society and the environment. This will ensure inclusive academic, technical and vocational opportunities for students to reach their potential, providing accessible pathways for all.
The Shared Education and Sectoral Support team looks forward to being a part of this exciting new venture and working with all partners to support the development of the Causeway project.
Sion Mills Primary School approved for Integrated status
On the 11th September 2023 , Sion Mills Primary School heard the good news that it had been awarded Integrated status by the Permanent Secretary for the Department of Education. It now joins the 70 other Integrated schools across Northern Ireland that make up the Integrated family.
Sept 2023: Good Relations Week 18th - 24th Sept
The Good Relations Week 2023 Event Listing is now live at https://goodrelationsweek.com/events/ with a packed programme of face-to-face event, virtual events, and digital content from a diverse range of groups and organisations across the region.
Sept 2023: Ulster University Discovery Academy
Ulster University is committed to engaging school pupils across Northern Ireland, in high quality educational outreach resources, specifically designed to motivate and inspire the next generation.
www.ulster.ac.uk/schoolsacademy
Ulster University Discovery Academy is our online version of outreach, it's open to all young people, school pupils Year 8-14/college students etc, its free, self-paced and we currently have 75+ courses on offer.
Each course is aligned with curriculum, personal development or showcases pathways into university disciplines, co-designed by Ulster University academics. The Discovery Academy enables young people across NI to have unlimited access to university outreach, removing barriers and creating pathways to HE.
To find out how your school could can get involved, please contact by email schools@ulster.ac.uk or access our online learning platform at www.ulster.ac.uk/schoolsacademy
Mar 2023: Transformation Celebration at Bangor Integrated Nursery
On 15th March 2023 Bangor Integrated Nursery enjoyed a very special day of events to formally celebrate the Transformation of the school to Integrated status.
Children, families, staff, governors, friends, local politicians and representatives from the educational bodies were all involved in the celebrations.
Following a delicious Afternoon Tea, Roisin Marshall, CEO of NICIE (with a little help from some friends) cut the ‘Ribbon of Integration’ signifying the start of this exciting new chapter in the school’s 80-year history.
