O’Dowd publishes new policy for Shared Education

Date published: 16 September 2015

Education Minister John O’Dowd has published Sharing Works: A Policy for Shared Education.

The new policy sets out the proposed way forward for shared education and provides a framework to ensure shared education is embedded throughout the education sector ensuring a high quality, shared learning experience is delivered for every child.

Sharing Works addresses recommendations made by the Education Committee last week following its Inquiry into Shared and Integrated Education and also recent recommendations from the Ministerial Advisory Group.

Launching the policy, Minister O’Dowd said:

“Support for shared education is one that has widespread political and community support and this new policy has been developed and shaped taking account of recommendations made recently by the Education Committee and by the Ministerial Advisory Group on Shared Education, as well as a recent public consultation.

We know that a key feature of high performing education systems are equality and inclusion promoted through shared education and this policy will of course sit within a broader education policy framework designed to improve educational outcomes for young people".

Concluding Minister O’Dowd said:

“This new policy demonstrates the work already ongoing by my department in this important area. It also reflects many of the recommendations made by the education Committee just last week.    My vision for the future of Shared Education is one of vibrant, self-improving education communities delivering educational benefits to learners, encouraging the efficient and effective use of resources, and promoting equality of opportunity, good relations, equality of identity, respect for diversity and community cohesion. This new policy and the Shared Education Bill which will be introduced to the Assembly in the Autumn will provide the powers to encourage and facilitate the development of shared education.”

Notes to editors: 

  1. Sharing Works: A Policy for Shared Education can be viewed on the DE website
  2. The Education Committee’s Inquiry Report on Shared and Integrated Education can be viewed on the Northern Ireland Assembly website 
  3. The Department of Education’s ‘Education Works’ campaign promotes the value of education. This year’s campaign aims to ensure that parents have information on schooling and that they are aware of the steps they can take to ‘Get Involved’ and support their teenager in achieving good outcomes at school. Watch out for the ads on television, radio and outdoor locations. The campaign highlights the vital role families can play in helping children do well at school and improve their life chances. Visit nidirect for more information or watch the TV ad on the Department’s YouTube channel 
  4. See photos from the Department of Education in our Flickr collection 
  5. Media enquiries to the Department of Education Press Office Tel: 028 9127 9207. Out of office hours, contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 076 99 715 440, and your call will be returned.

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