What is Integrated Education?

Integrated Education brings together in one school, children, parents, teachers and governors from both Catholic and Protestant traditions. Pupils experience an education that gives them the opportunity to understand, respect and celebrate all cultural and religious backgrounds. Parental involvement is a central value of Integrated Education, with a high level of parents on the Board of Governors.

How is religion taught in integrated schools?

Every Integrated School provides a Christian rather than secular approach to education. Where the school population includes significant numbers of children of a particular religious community, separate provision should be made to prepare such children for sacramental and liturgical participation in that specific religious community, if their parents so desire. Like any other school in Northern Ireland, Integrated Schools have an obligation to deliver the Northern Ireland Curriculum, which, in the case of religion, has been agreed upon by the four main Churches. In Integrated Primary Schools Catholic children are prepared for the sacraments of First Holy Communion and Confirmation. All parents have the right to withdraw their children from religious classes.

Where is the school located?

The school's bright well-resourced premises are situated in a picturesque rural setting on the Clarehill Road, Moira.

From Moira's Main Street, turn on to Meeting Street. Continue straight on to the Clarehill Road. Rowandale IPS is on the left hand side, 0.7 miles from the Main Street.

What curriculum do integrated schools provide?

All schools deliver the statutory Northern Ireland curriculum. In keeping with the integrated ethos, pupils also have the opportunity to participate in a wide variety of sports, drama and music. Extracurricular activities are also encouraged. Irish is offered on the curriculum at most second level schools and as an extra curricular activity in some primary schools.

Who can attend an integrated school?

Everyone! Integrated schools welcome boys and girls regardless of their academic ability, religious or social background. They aim to cultivate the individual's self respect for other people and cultures, teaching them to appreciate and understand difference. Combining with a child centred approach; children develop confidence and improve their self-esteem.

What is the difference between an 'integrated' and a 'mixed' school?

An integrated school actively encourages children to discuss, talk and think about other religions and cultures as well as their own, through classroom discussion, assemblies and citizenship classes. Children are not simply 'mixed' in one class but instead guided into talking about each other's background and faith, which ultimately leads to acceptance and understanding.

An integrated school is essentially Christian in character and involves children from Catholic, Protestant, other faiths and none, within an environment where their beliefs and traditions are all equally valued. It also means equal opportunities regardless of gender, physical or academic ability.

The integrated sector encourages parental involvement as a central value, with a high level of parents on the board of governors of the school. The board of governors would have up to six places for parents, the largest number of places in any school sector. Parents are encouraged to participate fully in all aspects of school life.

It is also expected that the Board of Governors and staff of an integrated school reflect the community balance of the pupils in order that there is not any bias.

Parents are encouraged to read the Anti-Bias Curriculum - a resource developed by NICIE highlighting not only the potential 'obvious' bias in an education environment, but also the underlying and often unintentional bias. View this document as a pdf at http://www.nicie.org/archive/abcrev2.pdf.

Are integrated schools academically successful?

Integrated education, which is predicated upon the principle of an all-ability approach to teaching, is not incompatible with academic achievement. Integrated schools aim to develop the potential of all pupils in a holistic manner within which academic development represents only one area of pupils' abilities.

The majority of the 19 Colleges offer 6th form provision with a wide range of A levels. The results of the integrated colleges at GCSE are substantially above the N.I. non-grammar average - a significant achievement given that integrated colleges do not select their pupils on academic ability.

Are integrated schools popular?

Hundreds of pupils are turned away each year from integrated schools because of over subscription. This can sometimes be very difficult for parents and children. We hope one day integrated education can be provided for everyone who wants it.

Why is Integrated Education so important to Northern Ireland?

Northern Ireland is a deeply divided and segregated society. Children from both sides of the religious divide who attend an integrated school develop lifelong friendships by playing and learning together during their most formative years. Parents and children, by choosing an integrated school, are contributing to the peace and reconciliation process.