In the 2021/22 school year we celebrated “40 Years of Integrated Education” across Northern Ireland. The first Integrated school, Lagan College, was established in Belfast in 1981 by the campaigning parent group ‘All Children Together’.
Integrated Education holds a unique place in the world, as the only sector we know of that has been created and driven by the demands and efforts of parents. Every Integrated school has either been started by parents or transformed through parental ballot. In either case, parental involvement is a core principle of Integrated Education.
This milestone celebration has reflected on a story of civic courage from parents, teachers, governors and children in the face of division. It is a story about hope, shaped around a belief that by intentionally bringing people together we could not only deliver a quality education but make a contribution to building peace and reconciliation. At the Council for Integrated Education, we believe this is a story worth celebrating.
The programme of events for the 40th Anniversary celebrations was overseen by a small team representing the different partners involved in Integrated Education. Bodies represented include: the Council for Integrated Education, the Integrated Education Fund, the Association of Principal Teachers in Integrated Schools (APTIS) Integrated AlumNI, Lagan College, Forthill IPS, Lisburn and Cedar IPS, Downpatrick.
On the 6th September 2021, Lagan College, the first Integrated school, hosted a launch event to kick off the 40th Anniversary celebrations with cake, balloons and ribbons of hope for the future. In attendance were students, alumni, politicians and other key stakeholders within Integrated Education.
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INTEGRATED SCHOOLS PRESENT 40 YEARS INTEGRATED BANNER TO BELFAST LORD MAYOR TO MARK MILESTONE YEAR
Lagan College, the first integrated secondary school in Northern Ireland, was joined by fellow Integrated Schools, Forge Integrated Primary School and Brefne Integrated Nursery School to present Belfast Lord Mayor, Councillor Kate Nicholl with its 40 years integrated celebration banner for display at Belfast City Hall.
Developed by Lagan College, the banner beautifully illustrates all the schools that have been involved in the story of Integrated Education in Northern Ireland over the last 40 years. Integrated Education’s inception is rooted in Belfast and has continued to branch out across the province.
This banner presentation follows on from the initial celebrations last September, when Lagan College planted an oak tree on its grounds to symbolise the growth and unlimited potential of integrated education.
To continue the celebrations Lagan College will be gifting an oak tree to all the integrated schools in NI for planting.
Presenting the banner on behalf of Lagan College, Principal Mrs Amanda McNamee MBE said: “We hope that everyone will enjoy seeing our Integrated Education 40th Anniversary Banner in Belfast City Hall and would like to thank the Lord Mayor Kate Nicholl for her support. Our banner showcases how far integrated education has come in Northern Ireland since the opening of Lagan College in 1981. As a society, we should feel very proud of the steps that we are taking to build peace and educate all children together. The journey of Integrated Education reminds us of all that from small, humble beginnings, great change can happen.”
Belfast Lord Mayor Councillor Kate Nicholl said: “I’m really proud that visitors to City Hall will see this beautiful banner celebrating Integrated Education in Northern Ireland. Integrating our schools is key to building a kinder, more inclusive society that has respect for different backgrounds, faiths and outlooks. I commend all of the schools involved to date, the people who have done such important, pioneering work for our children – and I look forward to seeing integrated education continuing to flourish here, thanks to their leadership and vision.”
INTEGRATED SCHOOLS PRESENT 40 YEARS INTEGRATED BANNER TO BELFAST LORD MAYOR TO MARK MILESTONE YEAR.
Photograph by Declan Roughan 28/01/2022
Neville Watson, Principal of Forge Integrated Primary School says: “We are delighted to be involved in this event and to present the Lord Mayor with the celebration banner. Since opening in 1985 along with Hazelwood Primary School as the first integrated primary schools, the journey to integrated education across the province has been transformative. A lot has been achieved and embraced, but we still have to keep pushing forward for the next 40 years and beyond.”
Victoria McGimpsey, Principal of the first Integrated Nursery School, Brefne adds: “It is fantastic to be involved in this special event and to acknowledge the success to date of integrated education. At Brefne, we were delighted to receive an Oak tree to celebrate 40 years of integrated education and to see it on the banner presented today. It reminds us that something amazing can grow from a tiny seed.”
Lana and Sam from Brefne Integrated Nursery. Photograph by Declan Roughan 28/01/2022
In 1981, Lagan College opened its doors as the first integrated school in Northern Ireland, and 40 years on, there are now 68 integrated schools across the province.
Across 40 years, Integrated Education has grown from 28 pupils to just over 25,000 with every school either opened by groups of parents or transformed to integrated status through parental ballot. Integrated Education is a story about hope in the face of separation and by intentionally bringing people together, it can deliver quality education and contribute to peace and reconciliation. The Integrated Education movement believe this an accomplishment worth celebrating. The delegation included representation from the Northern Ireland Council for Integrated Education and the Integrated Education Fund who are supporting a range of events to mark the 40th Anniversary.
The ‘Great Integrated Bake-Off’ challenge, kicked off in March when we invited nursery, primary and post primary schools across Northern Ireland to get inventive with their cake creations to celebrate 40 years of Integrated education.
Pupils were invited to design or bake a delightful dish which celebrates and reflects upon the Integrated ethos of their school. Involvement from pupils, parents and school staff was astounding, and they produced everything from colourful cakes to delicious dessert recipes.
Teachers worked alongside their students in school planning, designing, and taking time to create their bakes before sharing (and eating) the fantastic results!
Pupils from Integrated schools across Northern Ireland, gathered at Lagan College in Belfast this week, to celebrate their culinary talents with TV chef and BBC Best Home Cook winner, Suzie Lee Arbuthnot.
The event was held to congratulate the school pupils on their efforts as part of the ‘Great Integrated Bake Off’ competition, spearheaded by Northern Ireland Council for Integrated Education (NICIE). Teachers and students were treated to an exclusive cooking and baking masterclass with the local celebrity chef, as she shared her top tips and tricks with the lucky winners.
This anniversary was an opportunity to reflect on where we have come from, celebrate our achievements, and consider how we will grow to meet the needs of the next generation. With that aim in mind, Integrated school communities were invited to tell us what integration meant to them today, through photography.
Almost 25 years after the Good Friday Agreement, young people today see and understand integration differently from that group of parents who came together in 1981. As a window into some of those experiences and perspectives, this exhibition enriches our understanding of the power and potential of Integrated Education.
This online exhibition was curated by experts Gemma and Bryonie from Quarto Collective. Drawing inspiration from nature, friendship and school life, the photographs along with the accompanying captions express and capture all that is good and unique about Integrated Education.
School pupils, teachers, alumni, and esteemed guests gathered at Belfast City Hall on Friday 17th June 2022 to mark the end of a year-long series of events celebrating 40 years of Integrated Education in Northern Ireland. The event saw creative performances, art, music, magic and cake – all provided by current and past students at Integrated schools across the country.
During the 2021/22 school year there was a huge amount of involvement in all initiatives put in place to celebrate the anniversary. Schools utilised this opportunity to reflect on the history of Integrated Education and look forward to the years ahead.
We are excited to introduce our new storybook, The Bees and the Wind.
Author Amelia kai with The Bees and the Wind
The story has been developed as part of the celebrations marking 40 years of Integrated Education. The beautiful narrative is a reminder of all the hard work that has gone into getting us to where we are today. The bravery of those first parents, pupils and teachers who looked beyond the limited resources available, to the greater benefit for their children, and for society. The book has been developed to help open up discussions about Integrated Education with young children; both in the classroom and at home.
With funding from The Irish Department of Foreign Affairs, we were able to secure a limited print run of the book which is being distributed amongst Integrated Schools. We are also delighted to be able to offer this storybook for free in a digital format, narrated by author Amelia Kai, or without narration so parents and children can read and enjoy it themselves. All versions are available below:
The Bees and the Wind read through with Amelia Kai.
The Bees and the Wind no audio.
The Bees and the Wind PDF.
Thanks to The Irish Department of Foreign Affairs, who provided a grant to The Council for Integrated Education to develop and print this book through their Reconciliation Fund. Special thanks to Amelia Kai, the author, and Jamie Beard, the illustrator for their dedication to this project and bringing the story to life in such a beautiful way.
We hope you enjoy the book and find it a helpful tool for discussing the importance of Integration
Special thanks to the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade who have provided financial assistance for the 40th Anniversary of Integrated Education through their ‘Reconciliation Fund’.
NI Council for Integrated Education
1st Floor, James House
2-4 Cromac Avenue
Belfast
BT7 2JA
Company Registered number: NI022427
Charity registered number: 100310
Telephone – Office: 02896 944 200
Telephone – Office Manager: 07732496434
Email: admin@nicie.org.uk
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NI Council for Integrated Education
1st Floor, James House
2-4 Cromac Avenue
Belfast
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