The IEF and LucidTalk presented results of a micro-poll of parental views in the Holywood area on Wednesday 17 October in Holywood Family Trust. The poll has shown that Holywood parents would like a school for their children which is openly welcoming to pupils from all sections of the community – and a massive 89% of those questioned said they would support their local school becoming integrated. (more…)

The Ulster Hall was packed upstairs and downstairs on 27 September.  Tears of laughter flooded the building.  Even the brilliant Ulster Hall staff were in stitches – and they’ve heard them all!

The occasion?  Stand Up For Integrated Education, with Tim McGarry, David Meade, Wendy Wason, Neil Delamere and Colin Murphy. And Brexit wasn’t even mentioned! (more…)

The Northern Ireland Audit Office Comptroller and Auditor General, Mr Kieran Donnelly, today published his report to the Northern Ireland Assembly on the financial health of schools. The report examines the extent to which schools have been able to manage within their delegated budget for the period 2012-13 to 2016-17 and whether schools’ surpluses or deficits are within the limits set by the Education Authority. The report also considers the actions and initiatives being taken by the Department of Education and the Education Authority to address the financial issues currently facing schools. (more…)

The Department of Education (DE) has announced that it is extending the appointment term for the Board members of the Youth Council for Northern Ireland (YCNI).

Máire Young OBE (Chair), Herbert Faulkner OBE (Vice-Chair) and Anne-Marie McClure MBE (member) were originally appointed on 13 May 2000.  Derek Capper (member) was appointed on 11 June 2003.  Hugh Campbell (member) and June Trimble MBE (member) were appointed on 9 February 2015.  The term of all appointments has been extended until 31 March 2019. (more…)

A research team from the School of Education at Ulster University is undertaking an independent Community Conversation in October 2018 to gather the views of parents affected or potentially affected by the issue of over-subscribed primary schools in the South Belfast (Castlereagh / Carryduff areas) in order to report on possible short and longer term solutions.

They want to hear from as many parents as possible and are running a series of one-hour events for parents to come and share their views. These will take place from Friday 19th October to Friday 26th October 2018. (more…)

Stars of all ages gathered at Lagan College in Belfast on 04 October to celebrate creativity in integrated schools.  Actor, writer and director Dan Gordon introduced the Carson Awards Showcase, featuring projects on the theme of integration. The audience of students, staff, parents and IEF supporters enjoyed an exhibition of entries to the Carson Prizes followed by extracts of films made by students, and a performance by Lagan College dancers, all produced through the Carson Bursary scheme. (more…)