Delight as Minister Confirms Integrated Status for Cliftonville Primary School
by NICIE
NICIE has warmly welcomed the decision by Education Minister, Caitriona Ruane, to approve the transformation to integrated status of Cliftonville Primary School in North Belfast.
Transformation is the process by which existing schools can acquire integrated status. This occurs through a parental ballot and the parents of Cliftonville voted overwhelmingly in November 2007 to initiate the Transformation process. This involves making relevant changes to achieve a religious balance and address the needs of the whole school community.
Michael Wardlow, Chief Executive Officer of NICIE said, “This Ministerial approval to transform to integrated status formally recognises the hard work that the school has undertaken. We welcome Cliftonville into the integrated community and look forward to working together with the very enthusiastic governors, staff and parents for the benefit of the young people in the area.”
Brenda McMullen, Principal of Cliftonville Primary School said, “This is very welcome news for the entire school community and a very positive and hopeful step for our future.”
This is an exciting time for everyone in Cliftonville and further evidence of the growing demand from parents all across Northern Ireland to educate children together and build a shared future.
This brings the total number of integrated schools to 60, 23 of which have transformed to integrated status – 16 primary and 5 second level schools