Today sees the launch of celebrations for the 40th Anniversary of Integrated Education in Northern Ireland.
It was 40 years ago, in September 1981 that Lagan College was founded by parents who wanted to educate their children together regardless of their religion, ability or gender.
Their vision was, ‘to educate to the highest standards catholics, protestants and others of goodwill, of all abilities, together.’
On 1 September 1981 28 brave students arrived at the opening of Lagan College despite great opposition from many quarters. On the first day there were 28 pupils, the Principal, Mrs. Sheila Greenfield, one full-time teacher and five part-time teachers.
Today Lagan College has more than 1400 students and over 200 staff.
Since then the integrated education movement has grown to where there are now more than 65 integrated schools with 25,000 children attending.
We at Braidside, are very proud to be part of the integrated family. Open now for 32 years and with over 300 pupils attending, we are committed to the aims of educating all children together, instilling in them confidence in espressing their own identity and culture and respectful of the identity and culture of others.
In the year ahead, we look forward to participating in the celebrations of 40 years of Integrated Education, in our classes, in our school, as well as with our whole integrated family.
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