https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c390914zkd9o

The Education Minister has turned down a bid by Northern Ireland's largest school to become integrated.

A clear majority of parents of pupils had backed the change at Bangor Academy, which has around 1,850 pupils.

But Paul Givan has decided that the plans should not proceed.

Givan has also turned down a proposal by another school in Bangor, Rathmore Primary, to change to become an integrated one.

Enough Catholics at each school?

According to documents published by the Department of Education, officials had recommended that both schools transform to become integrated but the minister decided not to approve that recommendation.

In rejecting the bids, Givan said that there was not enough evidence that there would be enough Catholic pupils at each school for it to provide integrated education.

He cited Stormont legislation which said that there should be "reasonable numbers of both Protestant and Roman Catholic children" in integrated schools.

"Even on the most optimistic analysis, it would appear highly unlikely that reasonable numbers could be achieved," Givan wrote.

BBC News NI understands that similar reasons were behind the minister's decision to reject Bangor Academy's plans.

In a statement, the principal of Bangor Academy, Matthew Pitts, said the school community was "extremely disappointed" by the minister's decision.

"We have been on a significant journey as a school and the transformation process has been exciting and has helped us redefine our school's vision for education moving forward," he said.

"We are proud of the inclusive, diverse nature of our school and we will continue to deliver an outstanding education in the future regardless of this decision.

"We are disappointed that the minister has gone against the significant number of parents who voted in favour of integration but I would like to thank them for their engagement, challenge and sense of optimism that this process delivered.

"It is a privilege to work for such a forward thinking, positive and supportive community."

'23 languages spoken'

Following its parental vote, Bangor Academy had submitted a formal proposal to the Education Authority (EA) and the Department of Education (DE) to change its status.

The majority of the school's pupils are from a Protestant background but more than 40% are from Catholic, non-Christian or non-religious backgrounds, according to Department of Education statistics.

In its proposal to the EA, the school said that it planned to become formally integrated in time for the 2025 school year.

It said that other integrated post-primary schools nearby in Holywood and Belfast were oversubscribed.

"The transformation of Bangor Academy and Sixth Form College to controlled integrated status will allow the families in the area increased access to integrated education." the proposal said.

"The school community is diverse with 23 home languages spoken as well as pupils from all faiths, religions and none attending.

"Given approval, the school will continue to intentionally develop the integrated ethos and its contribution to peace and reconciliation."

'Seeking answers'

A law requiring the Department of Education to give more support to integrated education was passed by assembly members in April 2022.

But the commitments contained in the new law led some schools, education bodies and church representatives to claim it would "elevate integrated schools" above other types of school.

About 70 out of more than 1,000 primary and post-primary schools in Northern Ireland are integrated schools.

They aim to mix pupils of different cultures, socio-economic backgrounds and religious beliefs, including "reasonable" numbers of both Protestant and Roman Catholic children and young people.

The first integrated school in Northern Ireland, Lagan College, opened in 1981.

But while the numbers of integrated schools in Northern Ireland have grown in recent years, only about 8% of pupils attend formally integrated schools.

In a statement, the Alliance Party's Connie Egan said that the minister needed to "set out his rationale for effectively blocking integrated education across north Down".

"It is difficult to think of one, given the overwhelming public support for the moves among parents of pupils and also the wider local community," she said.

The chair of Stormont's education committee, Alliance MLA Nick Mathison, also said he was baffled by Givan's decisions.

"I will be seeking answers from him in the assembly as a matter of urgency, as those who overwhelmingly voted to transform to integrated status will no doubt be asking serious questions about the minister's judgement," he said.

by ISB-Dev

29 comments

  2. The parents don’t want it is the problem. Two big schools here were going to merge a Catholic and protestant it was going to go through till the parents started kicking off about it all. They tried to act like one of the schools wasn’t the same quality but yeah haha, we still haven’t gotten that far here yet.

  4. Imagine having to use the word integrated in the first place instead of not just embracing a multicultural society and educating the children, and the country wonders why it’s moves out of the past are like trudging through treacle.

  7. Who in the name of sweet fuck thought that it would be a good idea to let Paul Givan make a call on something like this?

  8. In any other country in the world he would be fired for this stance, here it’s probably a vote winner.

  9. >He cited Stormont legislation which said that there should be “reasonable numbers of both Protestant and Roman Catholic children” in integrated schools.

    >The majority of the school’s pupils are from a Protestant background but more than 40% are from Catholic, non-Christian or non-religious backgrounds, according to Department of Education statistics.

    If 40% of the children are not protestant, isn’t that plenty diverse? It seems to me like he made his decision, then worked backwards for a reason.

    Hopefully the school doesn’t give up, cause it does sound like the minister has simply gotten this one wrong.

  10. I mean who’s going to learn and continue the religious division if we educate them together? Who will those well balanced freaks vote for in the future? What are ye trying to do, improve things? Some people…….

  12. I swear when I was going through the school choices in p7 decades ago we had a whole talk on the academy being integrated, I guess not officially?

    Absolute creature. Embarrassing to live here sometimes.

  13. Is there any petitions to appeal this decision? I am devastated

  14. I remember talking to someone who went to an integrated school. It was 80% Protestant. No Gaelic football or Irish language.

    Integrated education to as a label is more political than anything. What even is an integrated school likke

  15. Absolutely crazy decision. The schools apply, the parents and pupils are all for it, there are even adverts advocating for integrated education, but the DUP dinosaurs say “no”. Again. Do they know any other word?? Who thought he was suitable for this ministerial position?

  18. Minister elected by the people, ignores the will of the people. Fucking cunt

  20. For what it’s worth, my daughter attends a Catholic school in Bangor and her class is predominantly Protestant. Perhaps he sees this as some kind of grift to gain easier access to funding?

  21. I’ve had displeasure of speaking with the minister at length. He is totally out of touch and has dangerous, ill-informed ideas. 

    Second-hand car salesman patter and no expertise or sense. 

  22. This is just depressing and oppressive, division is how the DUP survive

  24. You do realise integrated schools get a pile more funding so obviously people will vote for it, but the school doesn’t fit the criteria with only 3% from a catholic background.

    Things are tight enough in the education sector but fuck he better not try and balance the books and do his job properly. It’s also unfair on other schools so it’s obvious why there needs to be a criteria.

    The immaturity here beggers belief sometimes people never read the facts before calling someone all the names of the day.

  25. Is Northern Ireland even that religious anymore? Or is it more of a “cultural religious” thing going on?

    In Ontario, Canada, we also have Public and Catholic school boards paid for by the public, for different but similar reasons in N.I. Not sectarian reasons but language and religious.

  28. Letting a bigoted arshole make the desision isn’t exactly fair

  29. What do you expect from the architect of the conscious Clause? Totally wrong man for this role.

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