Bangor Schools Celebrate Strong Shared Education Partnership

St Comgall’s Primary School and Grange Park Primary School have developed a strong collaborative relationship based on mutual respect, shared values and a commitment to providing high-quality learning experiences for children. Teachers from both schools work closely together through joint planning, helping to enhance the delivery of the Shared Education programme and ensure pupils benefit from meaningful shared learning opportunities.

The partnership also reflects the close connections already shared by many families in Bangor. Pupils from both schools often know one another through local sports and clubs, including football, swimming and other community activities. These existing friendships help children feel comfortable and confident when they come together in school for shared lessons and activities.

Pupils have spoken warmly about the opportunity to spend time with friends from the partner school. One St Comgall’s pupil said they enjoyed “seeing my best friends and meeting new friends from Grange”, while others highlighted activities such as dodgeball and outdoor games as favourite moments.

Children from Grange Park Primary School also shared their enthusiasm, with one pupil saying: “It was great to see my friends and I loved playing tennis.” Another added that they enjoyed “playing outside at break time together.”

A P2 teacher from Grange Park Primary School described the first shared education session as a wonderful success, with pupils learning new tennis skills and spending time with their friends from St Comgall’s in the school’s forest area. The children practised volleying using their “high five” movement.

The schools say the partnership continues to go from strength to strength, supporting pupil achievement, confidence and wellbeing while reinforcing the value of positive cross-community relationships in education.

The PEACEPLUS ASPIRE project is led by the Education Authority in partnership with Léargas, Early Years – the organisation for young children, the National Childhood Network, and the Fermanagh Trust. The project is funded by PEACEPLUS, a programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB).