The 4 Pillars of Integrated Education
Learner Centered
| Defining & Developing | Expanding | Embedding | |
| 1. A whole school approach to Integration is being developed. In a Transforming school, all pupils are aware that the school is proposing to become Integrated, understand what this means and are supported to contribute to this process. Equality | 1. Learners have an understanding of and contribute to the development of the Integrated ethos and practice particularly in relation to the four principles of Integrated Education. Equality | 1. Decisions on planning, resources, curriculum and pastoral care reflect the Integrated nature of the school and the needs and aspirations of the individual pupil are at the heart of the organisation and structures of the school. Equality | |
| 2. Pupils experience being part of a school which comprises people of different cultures, abilities and socio-economic backgrounds as well as those of all faiths and none, including a mix of Catholic and Protestants. Equality |
Social Responsibility |
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| 3. The school supports high expectations for all pupils. Equality | 4. All pupils are able to experience success and a full range of achievements within and beyond school are celebrated. Equality | 4. The school nurtures emotional intelligence, self-esteem, self-respect, self-awareness and empathy within all pupils and staff. Faith & Values 5. Opportunities are created and barriers to learning are overcome for e.g ; -vulnerable pupils -children with SEN -newcomer pupils -those gifted in academic and other fields. Equality | |
| 4. The school is sensitive to and welcoming of the diverse identities of all members of the school community and there is evidence of an acceptance of difference and a valuing of diversity. Equality |
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| 5. The school actively recognises the breath of religious diversity within its enrolments and strives to meet the needs of those of different religious beliefs and of none. Faith & Values |
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| 6. Pupils experience staff who recognise the importance of modelling appropriate use of language and behaviour and demonstrate this. Equality | 12. Pupils recognise biased behaviours and attitudes and are aware that their school exists as a challenge to these. Equality | 10. Pupils are encouraged and supported to develop empathy and be activists and up-standers alongside others within school, locally and globally. Social Responsibility 11. Pupils know what to do when they or others experience prejudice, discrimination or bullying and are confident that they will receive appropriate and effective support. Equality | |
| 7. Pupils are actively encouraged to engage with other schools and communities of different backgrounds and traditions. Social Responsibility | 13. Pupils are provided with opportunities to participate in activities with other local schools of different types either as part of an interschool partnership or a community initiative. Social Responsibility | 12. The school is pro-active in securing opportunities for interschool pupil to pupil engagement around local, national and international themes. Social Responsibility | |
| 8. There is a commitment to involving pupils in discussions and decisions. Equality | 14. Pupils are equipped and supported to have a confident and informed voice when considering issues that arise in the local community and wider society. Equality | 13. Pupils are supported to develop a sense of responsibility and a belief that they can make a difference, and to contribute at local and global levels. Social Responsibility 14. Pupils are encouraged and equipped to develop and exercise their leadership capabilities, particularly in the area of Social Responsibility. Social Responsibility | |
| 9. The school has a pupil/student council and all pupils are able to share their thoughts, feelings and opinions about the school in a way that suits them. Equality | 15. There is an active pupil/student Council and pupils’ views inform the out-workings of integration within the school. Equality | 15. The school responds to the issues and ideas raised by pupils who feel that their voice is heard, relevant, respected and valued. Equality | |
| 10. Pupils are aware of the variety of groups that exist within the school and local community and the contribution that they make. Equality | 16. Pupils are encouraged to explore how groups in wider NI society engage and interact with each other. Equality | 16. Active, respectful listening; confident, respectful expression of identity; and effective learning dialogue are promoted among all members of the school community, encouraging everyone to learn from those whose viewpoints are different to their own. Equality | |
| 11. The school supports pupils in the exploration of identity and conflict in a Northern Ireland context. Equality | 17. Pupils are encouraged to identify how conflict can arise and develop positive strategies to respond well to interpersonal conflict situations. Faith & Values 18. Pupils are supported to respond appropriately to events/incidents and potentially contentious issues which arise within the local community and wider society. Equality |
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High Quality Teaching and Learning
| Defining & Developing | Expanding | Embedding |
| 1. Learning opportunities which promote shared values and help pupils value and respect difference are provided across the curriculum. Faith & Values |
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| 2. Some features of the curriculum already reflect both of the main traditions in Northern Ireland, e.g. language, sport, music, literature. Equality | 2. Pupils have access to a curriculum which caters to aspects of cultural and community diversity across pupil enrolments. Equality | 3. The school delivers a broad and relevant curriculum which intentionally engages with and expresses the full range of cultural and community diversity across pupil enrolments. Social Responsibility |
| 3. Staff create safe, respectful and inclusive learning environments for all pupils. Equality | 3. The school promotes an emphasis and understanding of human rights and equality within the UNCRC. Equality | 4. Learning experiences enable pupils to apply their knowledge and understanding of human rights, equality and inclusion in a range of situations. Equality |
| 4. There is a strong emphasis on parental engagement in supporting learning and attainment. Parental Involvement |
-behaviours -attendance -participation -well-being. Parental Involvement
| 5. The school encourages, supports and sustains effective parental involvement in pupil’s learning experiences and attainment. Parental Involvement |
| 5. Curriculum planning includes provision for developing themes associated with Integrated Education. Equality | 6. There is planning for effective Integration throughout the curriculum and teachers are aware of educational outcomes that contribute to reconciliation through the development of children’s skills and capabilities, attitudes and dispositions. Equality | 6. Teachers actively plan for pupil progression within Integrated Education and implement effective monitoring and evaluation approaches to measure impact within the curriculum and beyond the classroom. Equality |
| 6. Staff are provided with the opportunity to reflect on and explore their contribution to delivering the curriculum within the context of religious and cultural diversity. Equality |
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| 7. There is evidence of critical reflection by staff which allows for continuous improvement and development in respect of Integrated and inclusive practice. Equality | 9. The school is committed to self-evaluation and takes on board the views of the wider school community in the development of the Integrated ethos. Social Responsibility |
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| 8. Teachers are supported to help pupils explore sensitive and controversial issues through e.g Personal Social Emotional Development/ PDMU/LLW/Citzenship/RSE. Faith & Values | 10. Teachers are actively engaged in the delivery of the more challenging aspects of e.g Personal Social Emotional Development/ PDMU/LLW/ Citizenship/RSE. Faith & Values | 11. Staff members are supported to work constructively to resolve conflict and explore and manage challenging issues impacting on the classroom and school community. Faith & Values 12. There is high staff morale and positive working relationships are developed and maintained within the school. Equality |
| 9. Staff have access to appropriate training opportunities which will support the development of Integrated and inclusive practice. Equality | 11. The school facilitates specific training for teachers delivering on themes relating to managing controversial issues and conflict resolution. Equality 12. The school provides opportunities for staff to develop an antibias approach to teaching and learning. Equality | 13. There is an agreed staff professional learning policy that supports SLT to identify and implement relevant development opportunities for all staff. Equality 14. The school endorses and implements an anti-bias approach across all aspects of teaching and learning. Equality |
| 10. The school recognises the importance of collaborative and partnership work with other schools for the benefit of its staff and pupils. Social Responsibility |
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Effective Leadership
| Defining & Developing | Expanding | Embedding |
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| 2. The Senior Leadership Team provides clear vision and commitment to Integrated ethos and practice based on the four principles of Integrated Education. Equality | 3. Senior Leadership Team, Middle Leadership Team, staff, governors, parents and pupils are able to clearly articulate the vision for Integrated Education and understand its distinctive nature. Equality | 3. There are opportunities for all stakeholders to regularly revisit the Integrated vision for the school. Equality |
| 4. The Principal and Senior Leadership Team are self reflective in their implementation of Integrated Education and inspire confidence and respect among staff, pupils and parents. Social Responsibility | ||
| 3. The Board of Governors has an appreciation and understanding of the Integrated ethos and practice. Equality | 4. Governors understand their responsibilities towards Integrated Education and provide support to the Principal in carrying forward the process of Integration. Equality |
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| 4. There is promotion of an inclusive ethos within the school. Equality |
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| 5. Staff have management support to initiate and grow Integrated and inclusive practice. Equality | 7. The school actively builds capacity amongst staff and governors to address those areas of Integrated Education practice which prove complex and challenging. Equality 8. There is collective ownership for the outcomes and quality of Integrated provision within the school. Equality |
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| 6. There is a commitment to full staff engagement in the development of Integrated Education. Equality | 9. Staff feel valued for their role in contributing to Integrated Education practice within the school. Equality | 12. Staff are supported to confidently develop their role within Integrated Education in collaboration with peers. Equality |
| 7. There is engagement with external agencies (for example EA and NICIE) in relation to the planning, monitoring and evaluation of Integrated/ inclusive practice. Social Responsibility | 10. There is a commitment to planning, monitoring and evaluating in respect of Integrated practice and time is given to allow this to be meaningful. Equality | 13. All staff are aware of their role in delivering the Integrated ethos through teaching and learning and are able to identify their areas of contribution. Equality |
| 8. The desirability of having community balance reflected in school enrolments, structures and processes is recognised. Equality | 11. The school’s Admissions Criteria make clear reference to Integration and reflect the aspiration for community balance. Equality 12. The Governing body is fully constituted in line with the school’s Scheme of Management and efforts are made to secure community balance. Equality |
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Community Connections
| Defining & Developing | Expanding | Embedding |
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Parental Involvement
Parental Involvement
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| 2. Parents, carers and the wider community have the opportunity or will have the opportunity to engage with members of a different tradition/community. Parental Involvement |
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| 3. Appropriate local connections across both main traditions are sought where possible and relationships developed. Faith & Values |
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| 4. The school uses its involvement with other programmes and bodies to further support the aims of Integration/inclusion. Social Responsibility | 8. The Senior Leadership Team and governors use their best endeavours to ensure that the aims and values of any external organisation engaged in supporting the school are in keeping with those of Integrated Education. Faith & Values | 9. Engagement with external bodies and organisations takes place within a strategic development framework which reflects a holistic approach to Integrated Education. Social Responsibility |
| 5. The school prospectus/website has a clear reference to an Integrated ethos or, in the case of a Transforming school, inclusive practice. Equality | 9. School literature/social media platforms contain overt reference to Integrated education. Equality | 10. The school develops, promotes and sustains its Integrated profile within the local and wider community, and in a consistent way across all platforms. Equality |