Exciting news for Integration in Killyleagh   

NICIE is delighted with the news of a successful parental ballot for transformation to integrated status in Killyleagh Primary School. The overwhelmingly Yes vote demonstrates yet again parental desire for integrated education and confirms the findings of a number of polls conducted by the integrated movement in 2014 which consistently found that parents wish to see their children educated together in one school.

The school which first opened in 1939, currently has an enrolment of 79 pupils and is situated in the Strangford Lough area of County Down very close to the emblematic castle, symbol of the town.

Chief Executive of NICIE, Noreen Campbell said: “We in NICIE are absolutely delighted that parents of children at Killyleagh PS have voted to acquire integrated status.  And this ballot marks Killyleagh PS’s first step towards becoming a planned integrated school.  The Governors and Staff are to be applauded for their imaginative exploration of transformation for the development of their school in the community.  It would be our hope that this parental demand for more integrated places can be achieved for Killyleagh and its immediate area”.

Jason Milligan, Principal of Killyleagh Primary School, said-‘I am hugely excited at the prospect of Killyleagh PS becoming recognised as integrated. We already welcome many children from all faiths and none and becoming integrated will acknowledge existing good practice as well as providing the means for us to develop even better practice’

Now that the parents have voted for integration, the school will develop an action plan outlining the steps which will be taken to establish an integrated ethos within the school.  A development proposal will be lodged with the Department of Education later this year in anticipation of the Minister approving formal integrated status from September 2016..  NICIE looks forward to supporting the school through this process.

This is an exciting time for Integrated Education and further evidence of the growing demand from parents all across Northern Ireland to educate children together and build a shared future.

ENDS

Notes to the Editor

1. Killyleagh PS opened in 1939 and is situated at 12 Shrigley Road, Killyleagh, Downpatrick BT30 9SR. The Principal is Jason Mulligan and he can be contacted on 028 4482 8522.
2. Transformation is the process by which existing schools can acquire integrated status. This occurs through a parental ballot.  The school then embarks on a journey, making relevant changes to achieve a religiously balanced institution, which addresses the needs of the whole school community.  In order to ensure that the school becomes a fully integrated institution, a number of practical steps are taken by the staff and Governors including changes to the Governing body, a review of the curriculum programmes including RE and staff training and development. 
3. NICIE is committed to delivering a quality integrated choice for parents in the Downpatrick area.  
4. In Northern Ireland, approx. 93% of children attend schools which are either exclusively or predominantly Catholic or Protestant. The first integrated school, Lagan College, opened in 1981 with 28 pupils. There are currently 62 integrated schools in Northern Ireland, 20 second level colleges and 42 integrated primaries, altogether educating over 22,000 pupils.
5. A recent Millward Brown survey found that 83% of parents in Belfast believe that integrated education is a vital part of building a shared future in Northern Ireland. 72% of parents believe that funding for integrated education should be prioritised, with enough places available for those who wish to send their children to an integrated school.
6. Integrated schools are co-educational, accept children from all levels of ability and social backgrounds and practice a child-centred approach to teaching methods.
7. Established in 1987, The Northern Ireland Council for Integrated Education (NICIE) is a voluntary organisation that was set up to develop, support and promote Integrated Education in Northern Ireland. The underpinning principles of Integrated Education is that by bringing Catholic, Protestant and children of other faiths together in a shared learning environment, they can learn to understand, respect and tolerate their differences.  By choosing an Integrated Education, children and their parents are contributing to the peace and reconciliation process in Northern Ireland.  For more information please visit www.nicie.org
8. The Integrated Education Fund (IEF) is a charitable trust established in 1992 to provide a financial foundation for the development and growth of Integrated Education in Northern Ireland.