Principal of Coleraine primary school refused integrated status vows to continue work to "realise vision of bright inclusive future"

In March 2024, Killowen Primary School held a ballot to gauge whether parents would support the school ‘transforming’ to Integrated status.

75.7% of the parents who voted said ‘yes’ to integration. In April 2025, a Development Proposal was submitted to the Education Minister for Killowen PS to become Integrated from September 2025. The Shuttlehill school learned of the refusal decision by Education Minister Paul Givan on the first day of the new school year.

Principal Arlene Moon said: “While we are deeply disappointed that the voices of our children, parents, governors, staff, and wider community have not led to the outcome we had hoped for, we remain incredibly grateful to everyone who contributed their time, effort, and passion throughout this process.

"Despite this setback, we are proud of the strong, united community we have built and the clear commitment shown towards integration. The Minister’s decision does not change our determination - we will continue to progress our Transformation plans, working closely together to realise this vision and ensure a bright, inclusive future for all our children.

"There may be those who think integration is only a name, but for us, integration isn’t a name. It’s who we are. We belong, we believe, we learn together. This decision cannot define who we are or divide what lies at the heart of our school. That heart belongs to our children, our families and our community.”

Paul Caskey OBE, Chief Executive of the Integrated Education Fund (IEF) commented: “The IEF is extremely disappointed for the school community at Killowen PS in Coleraine. We know how hard the school has worked over the past two years to continue to develop and weave the integrated ethos through every area of school life.

"The Minister is relying on his own interpretation of the requirement for ‘reasonable numbers’ of Catholic and Protestant pupils, a criterion contained within the legal definition of an Integrated school, as grounds for refusing proposals for Integrated status.

"The legislation also, of course, makes clear that Integrated Education is about much more than just pupil numbers. Integrated Education is about fostering respect, inclusion and meaningful interaction between children from different faiths, cultures, identities and backgrounds. It is reflected not only in pupil enrolment but also in a school's ethos, governance and daily life.

"We are proud of each Integrated school, including those schools who have worked hard to journey through the Transformation process. Integrated Education is a grass roots parent and school led movement, started by a pioneering group of brave parents over 45 years ago.

"The IEF applauds the parents, teachers, Principal and wider school community of Killowen PS for their courage, passion and commitment to ensuring that their children are educated together side by side with and from each other every day. We will continue to support the school as they progress their Transformation plans.”