It is important that every Integrated school is intentional in developing and strengthening their Integrated ethos, and also engages in a process of monitoring and evaluation. This ongoing monitoring and development process can be supported through the Excellence in Integrated Education Award (EIEA) which provides insight into the essential elements of a good Integrated school. The first two schools were awarded the EIEA in 2010 and, to date, over 20 schools have completed the EIEA process and achieved the Award.

The EIEA is a process for school improvement set within the context of the Integrated ethos and the legal definitions of the new Integrated Education Act (2022). 

The EIEA audit tool is founded on the NICIE Statement of Principles for Integrated Education. It sits alongside and complements the Department of Education’s ‘Every School A Good School’, the Community Relations, Equality and Diversity (CRED) Policy, and the Education and Training Inspectorate’s ‘Empowering Improvement – New Framework for Inspection’.

The EIEA audit tool enables a school to affirm areas of existing good practice and to identify areas for development. The school then works through an action plan based on this, leading to assessment for the Award. The school is supported through the EIEA process by the NICIE Development Team. This can include, for example, provision of training/development sessions for staff and Governors, as relevant to the school’s EIEA action plan.

You can access the EIEA audit tool here.

You will also find more detailed information on the process of working towards EIEA assessment here.

Any school wishing to explore the possibility of working towards the EIEA should contact NICIE for further information by emailing admin@nicie.org.uk or ringing 028 9694 4200.