Three nurseries open for the first time with official integrated status

Three nurseries have opened their doors for the first time as officially integrated nursery schools.

Ballymena Integrated Nursery School (INS), Downshire INS in Banbridge and Magherafelt INS bring the total number of integrated schools in Northern Ireland to 76, with over 28,000 pupils educated in them.

The change came following ballot votes in each of the nursery schools in which the majority of parents voted “yes” to transforming to integrated status.

Education Minister Paul Givan then approved the proposals in January.

Paul Caskey, chief executive of the Integrated Education Fund (IEF), said they are delighted to welcome the nurseries to the fold.

“We congratulate the board of governors, staff and parents of all three schools on their successful transformation to integrated status,” he said.

“We know that it has taken a lot of time, dedication and commitment from the entire school community to complete this process and become an integrated school.

“Integrated education is not just about having a reasonable mix of Protestant and Catholic pupils, but also includes pupils of multiple identities, different faiths or none, and has an intentional ethos which brings people together from different cultures and backgrounds and permeates every element of school life, everything from the interactions in the playground, the conversations at the school gate, the teaching staff, and to the governance of the school.

“We believe the communities of Ballymena, Downshire and Magherafelt will see a significant positive difference from the provision of these new integrated places.”

Sean Pettis, chief executive officer of the Council for Integrated Education, described a “vibrant group of schools whose staff show great dedication and commitment to educating children together at the very crucial first stage of their educational journey”.