NEWS RELEASE – For Immediate Release

24th August 2016

The problem with integrated schools is…

Roisin Marshall,the chief executive of the Northern Ireland Council for Integrated Education (NICIE), expressed her delight at the achievements of students:

“The problem with integrated education is that not enough children and young people in NI are able to access it and not enough people know about the ability of integrated schools to cater for all abilities enabling each young person to reach their full potential. Integrated Colleges are extremely proud of their students and staff and NICIE wish them another successful year ahead.”

NICIEis delighted to congratulate the students in integrated colleges on their successes in the past year. In particular today NICIE wants to celebrate the success of students in their GCSE exams and the high level of student achievement and the performance of schools in these exams.

The Board of Directors and NICIE staff would like to add theircongratulations to these young people and pay tribute to the dedicated work of staff in integrated collegesintegrated colleges.

The success ofstudents in our integrated schools prove that quality education is enhanced in an inclusive, integrated environment where diversity is celebrated and teachers have high expectations of the students. .

Integrated schools are proud to facilitate a first class education for children and young people of all abilities and talents and staff are well placed to advise and support the young people in their next steps. Regardless of their achievements and their plans for the future, the young people are at the centre of decisions and what is best for them to fulfil their ambitions.

ENDS

For further information or to arrange an interview with a spokesperson please contact Roisin Marshall, Chief Executive Officer at (028) 9097 2910, mobile 07957347563 or via e-mail to or via email to

Notes to the editor

  1. In Northern Ireland, about 93% of children attend schools which are either exclusively or predominantly catholic or protestant. The first integrated school, Lagan College, opened in 1981 with 28 pupils. From September there will be 65 integrated schools in Northern Ireland, 20 second level colleges and 45 integrated primaries, altogether educating over 21,000 pupils.
  2. A recent Millward Brown survey found that 83% of parents in Belfast believe that integrated education is a vital part of building a shared future in Northern Ireland. 72% of parents believe that funding for integrated education should be prioritised, with enough places available for those who wish to send their children to an integrated school.
  3. Integrated schools are co-educational, accept children from all levels of ability and social backgrounds and practice a child-centred approach to teaching methods.
  4. Established in 1987, the Northern Ireland Council for Integrated Education (NICIE) is a voluntary organisation that was set up to develop, support and promote integrated education in Northern Ireland. The underpinning principle of integrated education is that by bringing together catholic, protestant and children of other faiths in a shared environment, they can learn to understand, respect and tolerate differences. For more information please visit

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