NI Schools participate in Shared Education event at W5

Through the Stena Line Shared Education Project eight schools from South and West Belfast have been participating in a four-year shared education programme that has supported the development of four new shared education partnerships.

St. Peter’s PS & Malvern PS, St. John the Baptist PS & Finaghy PS, St. Bride’s PS & Donegal Road PS and Springhill PS & St. Clare’s PS have taken part in this fantastic programme which has cemented relationships between the pupils, staff and the wider community.

The programme targeted Key Stage 2 pupils and in the last four years pupil participation has increased with over 600 pupils, in 2023/24, engaging in shared education activity as part of the project.

Paul Close, EA Head of Shared Education and Sectoral Support said:

“The EA has worked in collaboration with the Belfast City Council to plan, deliver and evaluate the Shared Education Projects. To date there has been an investment of £120,000, by Stena Line & Belfast City Council over 4 academic years, which has provided pupils with the opportunity to engage in shared learning experiences which help build relationships, explore similarities and difference and respect for others.

“This innovative project demonstrates how the public and private sector can work collaboratively to improve learning experiences for children and young people. The project enabled schools to form new partnerships which has helped build positive relationships and improve educational outcomes. We hope that this project will be a catalyst for future collaborations with the private sector.” 

Dan Sten Olsson, Chairman, Stena Line said:

“I would like to applaud our friends in Belfast City Council and the Education Authority (EA) for their support and drive on the Stena Line Shared Education Schools Programme over the last four years. 

“I am convinced that we all can meet and learn from each other through collaboration, dialogue, and art. Given the number of global challenges around the world at the moment, the Non-Violence Project continues to have an important place in our communities, and I’m delighted to see the positive impact it has created for the young people of Belfast.”

Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Ryan Murphy, said:

“We’re delighted to have supported the Shared Education programme over the past four years through our Good Relations Action Plan, funded by The Executive Office. 

“Through the Belfast Agenda, we’re working with our community planning partners to ensure our city is a place where everyone feels welcomed, safe and is equipped to be the best at what they want to be.  Programmes such as this ensure that our young people can continue the great work that is already in place to make Belfast a city for all.

“Today’s event is a great opportunity to congratulate all of the participants who have committed their time to the programme. I hope they’ll continue to develop the relationships they’ve formed and use the experiences they’ve gathered as they move forward through life.”

The 4 shared education partnerships have been supported by a range of external partners, with experience in Community Relations, to facilitate pupil engagement such as Peace Players and Community Relations in Schools (CRIS). These organisations have helped contribute to attitudinal changes in children and young people, improved outcomes for pupils and stronger connections across communities.

Shared Education Schools Programme Image 1: Pictured L-R is Chris Gardner, Director of Good Relations at the Executive Office; David Robinson, Good Relations Officer at Belfast City Council; Nicola Abernethy, Stena Line Communications Manager; Paul Close, EA Head of Shared Education & Sectoral Support and Dong Jin Kim, Associate Director, Peace Education Centre, Okedongmu Children in Korea at the Stena Line Shared Education Schools Programme celebration event at W5 Belfast.

Shared Education Schools Programme Image 2: Pictured is representatives from the Education Authority, Belfast City Council and Stena Line along with Chris Gardner, Director of Good Relations at the Executive Office and the teaching staff from St. Peter’s PS & Malvern PS at today’s Stena Line Shared Education celebration event in W5, Belfast.

Shared Education Schools Programme Image 3: Pictured is representatives from the Education Authority, Belfast City Council and Stena Line along with Chris Gardner, Director of Good Relations at the Executive Office and the teaching staff of the eight South and West Belfast School’s at today’s Stena Line Shared Education celebration event in W5, Belfast.