Minister accused of 'solo run' over integrated school rejection

Parents and principals have expressed their disappointment at a decision by the education minister on Wednesday to turn down a bid by Northern Ireland's largest school to become integrated.

A clear majority of parents of pupils had backed the change at Bangor Academy, which has around 1,850 pupils.

But Givan has decided that the plans should not proceed, and also turned down a proposal by another school in Bangor, Rathmore Primary, to become integrated.

A parent of two pupils at Bangor Academy has described this decision as "baffling".

According to documents published by the Department of Education, officials had recommended that both schools transform to become integrated but the minister decided not to approve that recommendation.

In rejecting the bids, Givan said there was not enough evidence that there would be enough Catholic pupils at each school for them to provide integrated education.

He cited Stormont legislation which said there should be "reasonable numbers of both Protestant and Roman Catholic children" in integrated schools.

"Even on the most optimistic analysis, it would appear highly unlikely that reasonable numbers could be achieved," Givan wrote.

Speaking to BBC Radio Ulster's The Nolan Show on Thursday, Givan said he didn't think his decision was "unreasonable".

"There is not a reasonable number of a minority community within these schools for them to become officially integrated schools," he said.

"Of course I accept that there are people who are disappointed with the decision I have made, I don't always please everyone but I have to make that decision as minister for education… some people will agree some people will disagree."

In a statement, the principal of Bangor Academy, Matthew Pitts, said the school community was "extremely disappointed" by the minister's decision.

"We are proud of the inclusive, diverse nature of our school and we will continue to deliver an outstanding education in the future regardless of this decision."

Andrew McCracken has two children who are pupils at Bangor Academy.

Speaking to BBC Radio Ulster's Good Morning Ulster programme, he described Givan's decision as "baffling".

"I can't believe that given that overwhelming vote in favour, a vote that any politician would die for, that parents views have disregarded."

In a ballot, almost 80% of parents and guardians at the school voted for it to become integrated.

Mr McCracken added that the "hope and aspirations of pupils and teachers, the school community at large, and the enormous demand there is the Ards & North Down borough area for integration, that isn't being met, has been set aside".

Principal of Rathmore Primary School, Julie Hardy, whose bid to become integrated was also rejected by the minister, said they are "a little bit shocked" after the announcement.

"The disappointment, you can feel it in the air, around the corridor and around the playground," Ms Hardy told the Nolan Show.

"We had a 62% turnout of our ballot. 82% voted yes. My overwhelming feeling personally is just an immense sadness. I had gone into this process with real optimism."

Alliance MLA Kellie Armstrong brought forward the Integrated Education Bill which was passed by Stormont in 2022.

Speaking to to BBC Radio Ulster's Good Morning Ulster programme, Armstrong said the minister had "ignored his own officials" in turning down the application.

"The minister's own department recommended approval on the grounds of the Integrated Education Act, the minister has gone on a solo run.

"He had the opportunity to actually show how much he is adhering to the legislation, but instead he has chosen to do a different thing and to remove opportunity for these schools to take the next step in becoming fully integrated and that's very disappointing.

"The fact that the minister completely ignored the number of children of other faiths and of no faiths, and the opportunities of the intentionality to teach an integrated ethos – that beggars belief."

A law requiring the Department of Education to give more support to integrated education was passed by assembly members in April 2022.

It defined an integrated school as one that "intentionally supports, protects and advances an ethos of diversity, respect and understanding between those of different cultures and religious beliefs and of none".

But the commitments contained in the new law led some schools, education bodies and church representatives to claim it would "elevate integrated schools" above other types of school.

About 70 out of more than 1,000 primary and post-primary schools in Northern Ireland are integrated schools.

They aim to mix pupils of different cultures, socio-economic backgrounds and religious beliefs, including "reasonable" numbers of both Protestant and Roman Catholic children and young people.

The first integrated school in Northern Ireland, Lagan College, opened in 1981.

But while the numbers of integrated schools in Northern Ireland have grown in recent years, only about 8% of pupils attend formally integrated schools.