Northern Ireland schools enrol close to 21,000 newcomer pupils, representing about 6% of the school population, according to Department of Education figures. This marks a 60% increase from 12,932 in 2015/16.

St Mary's University College hosted an event where student teachers from St Mary's and Stranmillis University College met newcomer pupils from Fane Street Primary School and St Paul's Primary School Beechmount, both in Belfast. Pupils for whom English or Irish is not the first language joined children born in Northern Ireland.

Leah Mullen, a St Mary's student on school placement, worked with three newcomer pupils last year - two from Afghanistan and one from Iran. She noted their eagerness to learn despite limited English fluency and stressed creating safe environments for play and cultural exchange, including accommodations for religions and festivals like Eid, Easter, Ramadan, and Lent.

Laura Finlay, a Stranmillis University College student teacher planning to teach religious education in post-primary schools, stated that classrooms are growing more diverse. She said newcomer children need belonging, respect, and value to learn, and interactions reveal shared similarities amid differences.

Dr Christine Burnett, founder and CEO of education charity Saphara and a teacher, organised the event. She defined newcomers as children whose English lags behind peers, many from places like Afghanistan, Ukraine, Iran, and Somalia facing trauma. Burnett emphasised helping them feel loved, valued, and safe in classrooms to aid family settlement and community integration.

Burnett added that schools can offer welcoming spaces, especially as families seek employment and community ties.