home > about us > Transformation

Transformation Explained

In 1976, ACT (All Children Together) published a paper with proposals for shared management of schools in Northern Ireland. This paper comprised an early model for integrating existing schools along with the development of a curriculum to promote ´a common pattern of religious and moral education, and of historical and cultural studies´.


The 1978 Education (N.I.) Act encapsulated ACT´s proposals. Unfortunately the main Christian Churches did not respond to the facility offered for shared management of schools and this led directly to the establishment of Lagan College as an Independent Integrated School in 1981.
Provision for existing schools to seek Controlled Integrated status was further provided in legislation in 1986, but this facility was not significantly utilised before the 1989 Education Reform (N.I.) Order.


Since 1989 however, 20 schools have successfully pursued Controlled Integrated status. In the period from 1995 increased interest has been recorded from schools considering transformation; this coincides with the promotion by government of transformation as the most effective route to integration.


Schools proposing to transform are required to have a minimum of 10% of their incoming enrolment taken from whichever is the minority community in the area. The Department of Education expects this figure to increase over time and schools must achieve an overall balance of 70:30 within a period of ten years.


NICIE welcomes transformation as an added route to integration as it increases the number of ways in which the enormous parental demand for Integrated Education can be met. NICIE´s experience in supporting the transformation of 20 schools leaves the organisation well placed to assist new school transformation initiatives.


The challenges facing a transforming school should not be under estimated and it is recognised that change may be a slow and gradual process if it is to be brought about without the alienation of members of the school community. A carefully developed support programme guides potential transforming schools through the planning and implementation processes that will, over time, help the school to achieve full integration and take a different place in the community.  However in time the benefits of a successful transformation can be seen across the whole school community; pupils, parents, staff and governors and to the whole community beyond the school gates.


If you would like to know more about transformation please contact NICIE at info@nicie.org.uk