About Integrated Education
Integrated Education is defined in the Integrated Education Act of 2022 as education together in an Integrated school of,
- Those of different cultures and religious beliefs and none, including reasonable numbers of both Protestant and Roman Catholic children or young persons;
- Those who are experiencing socio-economic deprivation and those that are not; and
- Those of different abilities
The first ever Integrated school, Lagan College, was opened by parents in Belfast in 1981. Since then many more Integrated schools have been developed, with the intention of bringing young people from different backgrounds together and preparing them for life in a shared society.
As of September 2025, there are 76 grant-aided integrated schools in Northern Ireland. These comprise schools which were created by parent groups (mainly ‘Grant Maintained Integrated’ schools) and those which came about from existing schools applying to become Integrated through the process of ‘Transformation’ (mainly ‘Controlled Integrated’ schools). There are 5 Integrated Nursery schools, 50 Integrated Primary schools and 21 Integrated post-primary schools.
FAQs
What is taught in an Integrated School?
All publicly funded schools in Northern Ireland regardless of type, deliver the same statutory curriculum. However, an Integrated school is likely to be different from other schools in the way that it delivers the curriculum. Consideration will be given to things such as, the choice of texts used within literacy, the language subjects available to pupils, the range of activities carried out in art, music, drama and PE and the places and people of local interest explored within Environment and Society. A pupil attending an integrated school should be able to see evidence of their culture and background reflected within their curricular experiences.
How is religion taught in Integrated schools?
Integrated schools are essentially Christian in character but children of all faiths and none are equally welcome. Like any other school in Northern Ireland, Integrated schools have an obligation to deliver the NI Curriculum which in the case of religious education has been agreed by the four main Churches. Each young person is nurtured in the values of their own ethnic, religious and cultural background in a way that also helps them develop respect for the beliefs and values of other pupils
All parents have the right to withdraw their child from part or all of Religious Education should they wish to do so.
How do integrated schools deal with children from different religious and cultural identities?
Integrated schools recognise that Northern Ireland is a post-conflict divided society. They exist to provide a shared space where children can learn about each other in a safe environment. Children are encouraged to take pride in and celebrate their own cultural and religious identities.
Integrated primary schools provide support for pupils whose parents wish them to be prepared for the Catholic Sacraments and across all Integrated schools, events such as Remembrance Day and Harvest are important dates in the school calendar. Integrated Education encourages discussion, exploration, and acceptance of difference so parents of children in Integrated schools will also see celebrations and activities associated with other world faiths and cultures.
How do Integrated schools support children with additional needs?
Integrated schools are welcoming to all children and young people regardless of their ability and pride themselves on being inclusive learning spaces. As well as supporting every child to reach their full academic potential, Integrated schools focus on developing the whole person.
If my child has no local access to Integrated Education, will I be supported in their travel to the nearest Integrated school?
The Education Authority will provide transport, or a transport allowance to enable your child to attend your nearest Integrated school, if the school is:
- More than 2 miles from your home for a primary pupil
- More than 3 miles from your home for a post primary pupil
For further information, or to apply visit the Home to School transport section.
Legislation
Under the Integrated Education Act of 2022, both the Education Authority and the Department of Education have a statutory duty to “encourage, facilitate and support” Integrated Education.
Through its Sectoral Support Team, EA works to encourage facilitate and support Integrated Education by:
- Collaborating with its partners within the Integrated community, particularly the Council for Integrated Education (NICIE) to develop and share best practice across and beyond the Integrated sector.
- Working with the Council for Integrated Education to support schools which are considering applying for Integrated status and taking a lead role on all aspects of school planning for Integration.
- Developing professional learning opportunities for leaders, practitioners and governors in Integrated schools.
Finding your nearest Integrated school
There are Integrated schools all over Northern Ireland. To find your nearest Integrated school, use our ‘Find a School’ search below.
Useful Contacts
For further information on Integrated Education from EA, you can email: sectoralsupport@eani.org.uk
You can also visit the websites of other organisations which provide support for parents who are interested in finding out more about Integrated Education: