Tina Merron, the Chief Executive of the IEF, has welcomed Ulster University’s proposals for a new, concerted effort to tackle sectarianism in Northern Ireland.

The university, supported by the Sir George Quigley Fund, launched ‘Sectarianism in Northern Ireland: a Review’ at a conference at the UU Belfast campus on Tuesday. Tina praised the conference for addressing the issue and welcomed comedian Patrick Kielty’s comments at the event that educating all children together is crucial to a shared future. (more…)

The IEF and LucidTalk presented results of a micro-poll of parental views in the Newtownards area on Wednesday 15 May in Ards Community Network. The poll has shown that Newtownards parents would like a school, for their children, which is openly welcoming to pupils from all sections of the community – and 69% of those questioned said they would support their local school becoming integrated. (more…)

Friends of the Integrated Education Fund gathered at Down Royal Racecourse on May 06 to enjoy lunch, entertainment, good company and the odd flutter on the horses – and to raise money for the Fund’s work supporting integrated schools around NI. (more…)

A project launched by Ulster University turns a spotlight on aspects of school education in NI which might stand in the way of developing an integrated, equitable system.

The UU School of Education has received funding from The Integrated Education Fund (IEF), the UNESCO Centre and the Community Foundation to enable the team to share the findings of academic research through a series of accessible briefing papers illustrated by infographics. The project – called transforming education – aims to examine and illuminate issues which reinforce the segregated nature of the education system. (more…)

Hazelwood Integrated College in north Belfast has been shortlisted for the Secondary School of the Year title in the awards scheme run by the Times Educational Supplement (TES). These awards recognise outstanding individuals and institutions in education. The panel stresses that entries are assessed on more than academic achievement and applicants are asked to demonstrate “innovation, imagination and efforts to develop children in ways that go beyond the league tables”. (more…)

A research team from Ulster University carried out an independent Community Conversation with the purpose of gathering the views of parents, affected by over-subscription of primary school places in the South Belfast area.

The Community Conversation report shows that there is additional capacity needed in the Integrated and Maintained sectors if parental preference is to be supported. (more…)