PEACEPLUS ASPIRE Latest News

PEACEPLUS ASPIRE Creates New Opportunities for Children and Young People in Year 2

22 June 2026

The PEACEPLUS ASPIRE project is continuing to create meaningful opportunities for children and young people throughout year two by promoting peace, inclusion and respect across communities.

Audience seated in a community hall listening to a panel of six speakers at the front of the room.

Bushmills and Carnalridge pupils celebrate Causeway Stories through PEACEPLUS ASPIRE event

22 June 2026

P5 and P6 pupils from Bushmills Primary School and Carnalridge Primary School celebrated a year of creativity, friendship and shared learning at their Causeway Stories celebration event, held as part of the PEACEPLUS ASPIRE Shared Education Programme.

Group of children walking outdoors in a forested area with colourful triangular flags overhead and a person in a large chipmunk costume among them.

Young Pupils Step Out to Support Local Red Squirrels

22 June 2026

Pupils from St Patrick’s and St Joseph’s Primary School and Garvagh Primary School braved persistent rain to take part in a sponsored walk in support of red squirrels in Gortnamoyagh and Garvagh forests.

Two Schools mark ten-year long Shared Education partnership

22 June 2026

St Paul’s Primary School, Ahoghill and Kirkinriola Primary School have celebrated the end of a remarkable ten-year partnership, as St Paul’s prepares to close its doors for the final time in June 2026.

Group of people engaged in discussion around a long table with laptops, notebooks, and coffee cups in a bright meeting room.

Teachers engage in international Holocaust education programme at Crumlin Road Gaol

22 June 2026

Teachers from across Northern Ireland recently participated in a two-day professional learning programme, The Holocaust as a Starting Point, delivered at Crumlin Road Gaol, Belfast, in partnership with the Mémorial de la Shoah, Paris, alongside the Education Authority and the History Teachers Association of Northern Ireland.

Four people wearing helmets and harnesses prepare to climb a wooden outdoor climbing wall in a wooded area.

Downpatrick Pupils Build Friendships and Shared Understanding Through PEACEPLUS ASPIRE Residential

22 June 2026

Pupils from Lecale Trinity Grammar School and Down High School have strengthened friendships, teamwork and shared understanding through a recent PEACEPLUS ASPIRE residential at Lorne House.

Three young boys playing with toy dart guns inside a gymnasium with scattered foam darts on the floor.

Bangor Schools Celebrate Strong Shared Education Partnership

22 June 2026

Two Bangor primary schools are continuing to strengthen their long-standing Shared Education partnership, bringing pupils together to learn, play and build friendships across the local community.

Audience listening to speakers presenting at the PeacePlus Aspire Festival of Learning event with a large screen displaying event details.

Educators spotlight partnership work at PEACEPLUS ASPIRE Festival of Learning

12 May 2026

Partnerships from pre-school, primary and post-primary settings delivered insightful and impactful presentations to educators attending the PEACEPLUS Festival of Learning event, held in Millennium Forum, Derry – Londonderry, on Wednesday, 29 April 2026.

Students in formal attire seated in a large, historic courtroom with tall arched windows and wooden paneling.

Active Citizenship in Action: St Columba’s College Stranorlar & Strabane Academy

7 May 2026

The cross-border partnership between St Columba’s College Stranorlar and Strabane Academy is a blueprint for shared education in action.

Group of students and adults seated around a table engaged in a discussion in a classroom setting.

PEACEPLUS ASPIRE students meet with President Connolly in Derry - Londonderry

5 May 2026

Students from Deele College and the Royal and Prior Comprehensive School recently met President Catherine Connolly during her visit to Derry - Londonderry.

Five adults standing in a classroom with educational posters on the green bulletin board behind them.

Ombudsman for Children (Ireland) visits Glebe National School and Scoil Aodh Rua agus Nuala in Donegal Town

5 May 2026

Recently, the Léargas PEACEPLUS ASPIRE team joined an inspiring shared‑education session with the mixed‑ethos partnership of Glebe National School and Scoil Aodh Rua agus Nuala in Donegal Town.

Group of diverse children holding a PeacePlus Aspire sign and an Irish flag in a classroom decorated with international flags.

Celebrating Diversity: Gaelscoil na gCeithre Máistrí and Scoil Naomh Chaitríona

5 May 2026

The partnership between two Donegal schools, Gaelscoil na gCeithre Maistrí and Scoil Naomh Chaitríona, puts cultural diversity and inclusion at the centre of their PEACEPLUS ASPIRE project.

A group of young students sitting in a semicircle on chairs inside a bright classroom with educational posters on the walls.

Empowering Communities and Promoting Wellbeing: Scoil Mhuire Gleneely and Scoil Treasa Naofa

5 May 2026

The partnership between two Donegal schools, Scoil Mhuire Gleneely and Scoil Treasa Naofa, focuses on promoting wellbeing, shared education, and peace and reconciliation, with all pupils actively involved.

Large group of children posing in front of an old stone castle wall on a wet day.

Exploring peace and reconciliation through local history: Fairgreen National School and St Mary’s Primary School

5 May 2026

The cross‑border partnership between Fairgreen National School and St Mary’s Primary School reflects the theme of peace and reconciliation at the heart of their PEACEPLUS ASPIRE activities.

Group of children and adults wearing paper chef hats gathered around a table with a large wooden board of freshly baked pizza slices in a classroom setting.

Shared Education partnership celebrate food together

1 May 2026

In a lively celebration of community and collaboration, Jones Memorial Primary School and Holy Trinity Primary School joined forces for a Shared Education food event, part of the PEACEPLUS ASPIRE project.

Six young children stand in a school gym holding signs with positive words during a classroom activity.

Pupils Explore Ulster Scots Language and Culture Together

1 May 2026

Carnaghts Primary School and Maine Integrated Primary School pupils enjoyed a lively and creative PEACEPLUS ASPIRE session last week as they came together to learn Ulster‑Scots words and traditions with support from the Ulster‑Scots Agency.

Three children standing outdoors on a school playground holding clipboards with colourful worksheets under a cloudy sky.

Two Ballymena primary schools enjoy a day of creativity and discovery

1 May 2026

Castle Tower and Clough Primary Schools came together for an energetic day filled with creativity and exploration, as part of their PEACEPLUS ASPIRE partnership. Pupils connected through a range of activities designed to spark imagination, build friendships, and encourage teamwork.

Three children sitting closely together under a makeshift shelter made from a tarp in a muddy outdoor area near a fenced playground.

Two primary schools unite for outdoor adventure

1 May 2026

St Aidan’s Primary School, Magilligan, and Hezlett Primary School teamed up last week for an unforgettable day of outdoor adventure, held as part of the PEACEPLUS ASPIRE project, braving the elements to learn valuable lessons in teamwork, creativity and resilience, as they tackled a series of hands-on challenges outdoors.

Group of people standing in front of a PeacePlus banner at an event.

Festival of Learning Celebrates Shared Education

29 April 2026

Educators gathered at the Millennium Forum on Wednesday, 29 April 2026, for the PEACEPLUS ASPIRE Festival of Learning, a major event celebrating collaboration and shared education across Northern Ireland and the border counties of Ireland.

4 adults and two children stand in from of a wall which has handprints all over it. Text on wall reads Lady’s Primary School Tullysaran.

Shared Education showcase event for parents

24 April 2026

Our Lady’s Primary School, Tullysaran warmly welcomed their PEACEPLUS ASPIRE Shared Education partners from Killylea Primary School for a special parents’ showcase and Stay and Play event last week.