The NI Executive is currently revising the measures it uses to monitor good relations in Northern Ireland.  Since 2007 the Good Relations Indicators have drawn on a range of statistics gathered by different surveys (Such as the Northern Ireland Life and Times Survey) to build up a  picture of progress towards a more united community.

Now, in the light of the Together, Building a United Community policy, the Executive is re-framing its targets and the method used to assess progress. (more…)

Pupils, staff and governors at Lagan College were delighted to welcome Motown singer Mary Wilson to help celebrate the opening of the school’s new building today (Thurs 27 February). Mary, formerly of the Supremes, entertained with music and inspired with her address to the school community and guests.

Lagan College, Northern Ireland’s first planned integrated school, opened in 1981 and after more than 30 years’ wait finally moved into purpose-built, state-of-the-art accommodation last September. The new building was officially declared open this morning by Minister of Education John O’Dowd. (more…)

International Integrated Education Week 2014 (IIEW 2014) will take place from Monday 3rd to Friday 7th March. The theme will be ‘Building Bridges’. This is an annual event where integrated schools have the opportunity to celebrate their integrated ethos.

Integrated schools across the country are celebrating International Integrated Education Week 2014 (IIEW2014) in a variety of different ways. This year’s theme is ‘Building Bridges’ and schools are already exploring the theme by making paper links, linking each student in each class around the school. (more…)

More pupils will be able to access integrated education in Enniskillen and Newcastle from this autumn,  now that the Department of Education has approved an increase in enrolments at Enniskillen Integrated Primary School and Shimna Integrated College.

Last week (21 February) it was announced that Education Minister, John O’Dowd, has approved a development proposal from Shimna IC. This means that the college’s enrolment will increase from 480 to 540 pupils and its admission number from 80 to 100 pupils from September.  The approval also includes an increase to Shimna’s sixth form enrolment from 80 to 120 pupils.  (more…)

The Mansion House in London, setting for the Chancellor of the Exchequer’s summer speech on the state of the economy, saw a business guru from Northern Ireland expound the economic sense of integrated education last Thursday (20 February).

The lawyer and TV presenter Margaret Mountford urged a gathering of London-Irish business figures  to give their support to the integrated education movement in Northern Ireland.  The “Apprentice” star was speaking at a reception to celebrate the work of the Integrated Education Fund and to explain the mission of the integrated education movement to a wider audience. (more…)

The IEF was delighted and honoured to be one of two charities to benefit from the Paddy Hopkirk 50^th Anniversary Gala in Belfast on Saturday (22 February).   The event commemorated Northern Irish driver Paddy’s win in the Monte Carlo rally in 1964, driving the Mini Cooper which then quickly became an iconic car.     (more…)