Three shared education partnerships in Northern Ireland have recently celebrated a year of cross-community learning, funded by the EU’s PEACEPLUS programme.

The PEACEPLUS ASPIRE project, led by the Education Authority alongside Léargas, Early Years, the National Childhood Network and the Fermanagh Trust, supports primary schools in bringing together pupils from different backgrounds through collaborative activities. The programme is managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB).

In Enniskillen, pupils from two schools worked on creative projects including poetry collections, a cookery book, podcasts, tourist presentations and a rap about the town’s character. They learned from local chefs, social media influencers and historians, and the programme ended with a colour run.

Pupils at Nettlefield and St Matthew’s primary schools in Belfast took part in confidence-building activities, ICT sessions and a PATHS programme. A joint assembly was held at St Matthew’s, while parents attended a digital safety session at Nettlefield led by Wayne Denner. Pupils said they enjoyed meeting new friends and learning together; one pupil was named Shared Education Ambassador.

In Killyleagh, outdoor maths games, dancing and music sessions marked the partnership between two schools. Pupils described enjoying counting games, pirate songs and working with friends from the other school.

The project continues to support inclusion and help young people build friendships across the community divide.