TUESDAY 17 JUNE 2025

ASPIRE Shared Education Ambassadors from Banbridge Academy, Abbey Christian Brothers’ Grammar School, and Our Lady’s Grammar School were welcomed today to the Long Gallery at Stormont for a special celebration event, marking the culmination of the first year of a Shared Education initiative.

Following a welcome from Mrs Diane Dodds MLA, the students from each school outlined the many different strands of their project.  The Education Minister, Mr Paul Givan MLA, concluded the event and congratulated the students and the schools on their dedication to the project.

The project brought together over 60 pupils from the three schools in a collaborative effort to explore and address social issues at local, national, and global levels. Through a series of workshops and joint activities, pupils developed key skills such as teamwork, digital literacy, and public speaking, while also learning about each other’s school cultures and shared social responsibilities.

The ASPIRE (Advancing Shared Partnerships through Inclusive Relationships in Education) Project is a four-year initiative designed to promote inclusive, cross-community education across Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. It is led by the Education Authority in partnership with Léargas, Early Years, the National Childhood Network, and the Fermanagh Trust.

Throughout the year, pupils engaged with local charities and community projects, gaining valuable insight into efforts supporting social justice and inclusion across Northern Ireland.

Today’s event featured final presentations from the pupils, who shared their experiences with an audience that included the Minister of Education, local MLAs, charity partners, representatives from the Education Authority, and other community stakeholders.

This celebration marks not only the conclusion of a successful year of collaboration, but also the beginning of lasting connections and continued engagement between the three schools.