Ulidia Integrated College
Encyclopedia
Ulidia Integrated College is situated in Carrickfergus
, Northern Ireland
. It was opened in 1997 with an initial 63 students. It is the 44th integrated school to be created in the province and currently provides education for over 530 Catholic and Protestant
children.
in which the separate communities of that area have become more polarised since The Troubles
began. The population currently consists of approximately 15% Roman Catholic and 85% Protestant.
that it can draw a minimum of 30% of its population from the minority tradition of the area it wishes to serve.
in 1995. Castle Integrated College failed because of massive opposition from interested parties in the East Antrim area. However, the steering group behind Castle Integrated College refused to give up and started planning again for an integrated college in East Antrim.
A proposal for a new college was lodged again with the Department of Education in early 1997. This proposal was for the opening of a brand new integrated college in Whitehead
, a few miles north of Carrickfergus
. The Department of Education refused the request and financial assistance. Under the guidance of Tom Pennycook, a parent, the steering committee steadfastly refused to give up hope and decided to open the proposed new integrated college, independently, without financial assistance from the Department of Education.
The Northern Ireland Council for Integrated Education (NICIE) was approached in February 1997 for support. NICIE acted for the steering group. Their sister organisation, the Integrated Education Fund (IEF), obtained funding for the college for a period of three months only, with the promise that the IEF would fund-raise for the college to help maintain it throughout its first year.
The steering group, having secured guaranteed funding for three months went about enlisting the necessary 60 students (with a 30% balance from the minority religion), and the recruitment of principal and staff.
. Ulidia consisted then of six teachers, second-hand temporary accommodation, second-hand furniture and equipment, but first class, quality teachers. It also had its most valuable asset – 63 students and religious balance!
A further development proposal was submitted to the Department of Education, but again this was rejected. The department did not feel that such a school in such an area was viable. The college had to survive on its own finances for another year before a new development proposal could be submitted.
With additional financial assistance from the IEF, Ulidia Integrated College did survive. Interest in this new integrated college from parents in the area was overwhelming. Yet another Development Proposal was submitted to try and obtain full government funding for the 1998–99 academic year and yet again the Department of Education turned the college down. The Department again was 'not convinced about the viability of an integrated college in an area where the minority religion represented only 9%–11% of the population'.
Once again, the college approached the IEF for financial assistance for 1998/99 and once again their friends at both NICIE and the IEF pledged their support.
The college continued independently in 1998–99 with over 130 students and ten staff and more mobile accommodation. The religious balance was perfect (31% minority) and completely in line with government recommendations – yet the government of the day still remained "not convinced". The IEF continued to fund the college from their meagre resources and the high quality education that was promised to the students was delivered by the staff.
The now customary Development Proposal was again presented to the Department of Education for the academic year 1999–2000. Given that the college had over 130 students with over 600 students on its waiting lists for the incoming years, everyone at the school was confident that this would be its year. However the college was, for the seventh time, refused funding.
Not dismayed, and with morale high, Ulidia again sought help from the IEF and its sponsors and, true to the sincere and genuine nature of that organisation, Ulidia was assured that the IEF would "go to the wall" before it would cease funding the college. With the help of the American Ireland Fund and the European Peace Project, finance was found to allow it to continue in existence for yet another year. It was in this year that the college moved to its present site in Carrickfergus, necessitated by the fact that suitable land could not be found in Whitehead to allow for the college's rapid expansion.
In 1999–2000 the college had an enrollment of 17 staff and 240 students, with religious balance, and more temporary accommodation. In December 1999, the Department of Education granted Ulidia full funding, effective from September 2000.
The initial journey was over and Ulidia Integrated College finally joined the ranks as Northern Ireland's 44th fully funded integrated college. During its time in the educational wilderness as an independently funded college Ulidia suffered three petrol bomb attacks, one of which destroyed the college library and numerous sectarian incidents directed toward the students.
With an enrollment of 500 students, the college is over-subscribed yearly by 70%. The future of the college is now secure. In ten years it has been transformed from a financially insecure independent college to one of Northern Ireland's top integrated schools.
Carrickfergus
Carrickfergus , known locally and colloquially as "Carrick", is a large town in County Antrim, Northern Ireland. It is located on the north shore of Belfast Lough, from Belfast. The town had a population of 27,201 at the 2001 Census and takes its name from Fergus Mór mac Eirc, the 6th century king...
, Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
. It was opened in 1997 with an initial 63 students. It is the 44th integrated school to be created in the province and currently provides education for over 530 Catholic and Protestant
Protestantism
Protestantism is one of the three major groupings within Christianity. It is a movement that began in Germany in the early 16th century as a reaction against medieval Roman Catholic doctrines and practices, especially in regards to salvation, justification, and ecclesiology.The doctrines of the...
children.
Catchment area background
East Antrim is considered the only area in Northern IrelandNorthern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
in which the separate communities of that area have become more polarised since The Troubles
The Troubles
The Troubles was a period of ethno-political conflict in Northern Ireland which spilled over at various times into England, the Republic of Ireland, and mainland Europe. The duration of the Troubles is conventionally dated from the late 1960s and considered by many to have ended with the Belfast...
began. The population currently consists of approximately 15% Roman Catholic and 85% Protestant.
An integrated school
Under the Education Reform Order (NI), 1989 a school wishing to obtain Grant Maintained Integrated status must convince the Department of EducationDepartment of Education (Northern Ireland)
The Department of Education is a devolved Northern Ireland government department in the Northern Ireland Executive...
that it can draw a minimum of 30% of its population from the minority tradition of the area it wishes to serve.
Beginnings
The history of the college begins with the failed attempt to open an integrated college in CarrickfergusCarrickfergus
Carrickfergus , known locally and colloquially as "Carrick", is a large town in County Antrim, Northern Ireland. It is located on the north shore of Belfast Lough, from Belfast. The town had a population of 27,201 at the 2001 Census and takes its name from Fergus Mór mac Eirc, the 6th century king...
in 1995. Castle Integrated College failed because of massive opposition from interested parties in the East Antrim area. However, the steering group behind Castle Integrated College refused to give up and started planning again for an integrated college in East Antrim.
A proposal for a new college was lodged again with the Department of Education in early 1997. This proposal was for the opening of a brand new integrated college in Whitehead
Whitehead, County Antrim
Whitehead is a small seaside town on the east coast of County Antrim, Northern Ireland, lying almost midway between the towns of Carrickfergus and Larne. It lies within the civil parishes of Island Magee and Templecorran, the barony of Belfast Lower, and is part of Carrickfergus Borough Council...
, a few miles north of Carrickfergus
Carrickfergus
Carrickfergus , known locally and colloquially as "Carrick", is a large town in County Antrim, Northern Ireland. It is located on the north shore of Belfast Lough, from Belfast. The town had a population of 27,201 at the 2001 Census and takes its name from Fergus Mór mac Eirc, the 6th century king...
. The Department of Education refused the request and financial assistance. Under the guidance of Tom Pennycook, a parent, the steering committee steadfastly refused to give up hope and decided to open the proposed new integrated college, independently, without financial assistance from the Department of Education.
The Northern Ireland Council for Integrated Education (NICIE) was approached in February 1997 for support. NICIE acted for the steering group. Their sister organisation, the Integrated Education Fund (IEF), obtained funding for the college for a period of three months only, with the promise that the IEF would fund-raise for the college to help maintain it throughout its first year.
The steering group, having secured guaranteed funding for three months went about enlisting the necessary 60 students (with a 30% balance from the minority religion), and the recruitment of principal and staff.
Official opening
The college eventually opened on a disused hockey pitch, in Whitehead, on the 1 September 1997, under the leadership of Eugene Martin, an experienced teacher and manager from Northern Ireland's first integrated school, Lagan CollegeLagan College
Lagan College is an integrated secondary school in Belfast, Northern Ireland. It was formed in 1981 as the first integrated school in Northern Ireland and contains students of mainly Roman Catholic and Protestant faiths, however students from other faiths also attend the school.The school is...
. Ulidia consisted then of six teachers, second-hand temporary accommodation, second-hand furniture and equipment, but first class, quality teachers. It also had its most valuable asset – 63 students and religious balance!
A further development proposal was submitted to the Department of Education, but again this was rejected. The department did not feel that such a school in such an area was viable. The college had to survive on its own finances for another year before a new development proposal could be submitted.
With additional financial assistance from the IEF, Ulidia Integrated College did survive. Interest in this new integrated college from parents in the area was overwhelming. Yet another Development Proposal was submitted to try and obtain full government funding for the 1998–99 academic year and yet again the Department of Education turned the college down. The Department again was 'not convinced about the viability of an integrated college in an area where the minority religion represented only 9%–11% of the population'.
Once again, the college approached the IEF for financial assistance for 1998/99 and once again their friends at both NICIE and the IEF pledged their support.
The college continued independently in 1998–99 with over 130 students and ten staff and more mobile accommodation. The religious balance was perfect (31% minority) and completely in line with government recommendations – yet the government of the day still remained "not convinced". The IEF continued to fund the college from their meagre resources and the high quality education that was promised to the students was delivered by the staff.
The now customary Development Proposal was again presented to the Department of Education for the academic year 1999–2000. Given that the college had over 130 students with over 600 students on its waiting lists for the incoming years, everyone at the school was confident that this would be its year. However the college was, for the seventh time, refused funding.
Not dismayed, and with morale high, Ulidia again sought help from the IEF and its sponsors and, true to the sincere and genuine nature of that organisation, Ulidia was assured that the IEF would "go to the wall" before it would cease funding the college. With the help of the American Ireland Fund and the European Peace Project, finance was found to allow it to continue in existence for yet another year. It was in this year that the college moved to its present site in Carrickfergus, necessitated by the fact that suitable land could not be found in Whitehead to allow for the college's rapid expansion.
In 1999–2000 the college had an enrollment of 17 staff and 240 students, with religious balance, and more temporary accommodation. In December 1999, the Department of Education granted Ulidia full funding, effective from September 2000.
The initial journey was over and Ulidia Integrated College finally joined the ranks as Northern Ireland's 44th fully funded integrated college. During its time in the educational wilderness as an independently funded college Ulidia suffered three petrol bomb attacks, one of which destroyed the college library and numerous sectarian incidents directed toward the students.
With an enrollment of 500 students, the college is over-subscribed yearly by 70%. The future of the college is now secure. In ten years it has been transformed from a financially insecure independent college to one of Northern Ireland's top integrated schools.
Mission statement
Educating together, Catholics and Protestants, and those of other religions, or none, in an atmosphere of tolerance and understanding, to the highest possible academic standards.See also
- Carrickfergus Learning CommunityCarrickfergus Learning CommunityCarrickfergus Learning Community is a collaboration project between the four post-primary schools in Carrickfergus, Northern Ireland...
- List of integrated schools in Northern Ireland
- List of secondary schools in Northern Ireland