Did you know that almost any school in Northern Ireland can apply to become Integrated?
What is Transformation?
Transformation is the term used to describe the legal process of changing to become an Integrated school.
Acquiring Integrated status is an exciting and rewarding change that involves the whole school community. NICIE, the Education Authority (EA) and the Integrated Education Fund (IEF) collaborate to support schools considering becoming Integrated at every stage. It is important to work at a pace that is appropriate for your school – and every school is unique. We would be delighted to chat to you about the potential for your school to become Integrated. Please start the conversation.
As outlined in the Integrated Education (NI) Act 2022, the Department of Education (DE) has a legal duty to encourage, facilitate and support the development of Integrated Education. In 2025, DE launched ‘Vision 2030 – A Strategy for Integrated Education’ and in 2026 it launched new guidance for schools seeking to acquire Integrated status: ‘Transforming Together – Understanding the Pathway to Integrated Education’. This outlines the legal process of acquiring Integrated status and sets out what school communities must consider and do within that process.
NICIE, EA and the IEF jointly published the updated ‘Transformation Toolkit’ in 2026.
DE also launched the first Integrated Education Support Programme in September 2026. Designed to support schools that wish to explore Integrated Education, it runs over three academic years and is funded by DE. For more information and how to apply for next year’s programme, please click here.
What makes a successful transformation
Recent research identified success factors:
- A commitment to Integrated Education – learning, exploring and knowing that this is the right path for the school.
- Comprehensive and open engagement – with the whole school community.
- Skilled, strategic leaders – with the vision and capability to build skills and drive the project.
- Recognise this is a development process – Change on this scale does not happen in a straight line or overnight.
- Support from external organisations – NICIE, EA and the Integrated Education Fund (IEF) work collaboratively to support you.
‘It is quite a tough process, but I’ve really enjoyed going through it.’
— (school leader of a transformed school)
‘I think transformation is a challenging process for any principal, and it’s absolutely rewarding and it’s absolutely worth it and it is the right thing to do for the school and I’m delighted that we’re Integrated.’
— (school leader of a transformed school)