The NICIE Statement of Principles gives a definition to the Education (Northern Ireland) Order 1989 where it is stated that the Department of Education will ‘encourage and facilitate integrated education’. 

Originally written in 1991 it was reviewed, in consultation with all stakeholders, in 2008 and is seen to be an evolving document which will be regularly reviewed. 

The design of the publication is based on the double helix, therefore embedding the understanding that the Statement of Principles is the DNA of Integrated schools, that all decisions and actions are naturally informed by the Statement of Principles.