At Straidbilly, we have been fortunate to participate in Shared Education for almost 30 years. For over two decades, we enjoyed a positive and productive partnership with Barnish Primary School in Ballyvoy, working together on cross-community initiatives such as E.M.U. (Education for Mutual Understanding) and the P.I.E.E. Project (Primary Integration/Enriching Education). Throughout this time, staff collaborated to develop schemes of work for Personal Development and Mutual Understanding and The World Around Us, shared resources, and even appointed a shared teacher. Our involvement in the Shared Education Signature Project (SESP) further enriched pupils’ experiences through shared lessons and projects in PE, PDMU and Literacy, supported by jointly purchased resources. Pupils loved learning and playing alongside their friends from Barnish, and staff greatly valued the opportunity to work together.

Following the closure of Barnish Primary in 2021, we were pleased to form a new Shared Education partnership with Armoy Primary School and St. Olcan’s, which continued successfully for four years. Straidbilly has greatly valued the opportunity to work alongside Armoy Primary School and St. Olcan’s; their warmth, enthusiasm and dedication made the partnership both meaningful and enjoyable for pupils and staff alike.

We intend to establish a new Shared Education partnership in the coming year, as we firmly believe that cross-community learning offers significant benefits for both staff and pupils.

We look forward to seeing where Shared Education may take us in the near future!