Shared Education

“Shared Education involves the provision of opportunities for children and young people from different community backgrounds to learn together,” (Education and Training Inspectorate).

At Portadown Integrated P.S., we are very proud of our long-established partnership with StTeresa’s P.S. Lurgan delivering Shared Education programmes for over 6 years.

Building on the success of our participation in the Shared Education Signature Project, both schools continue to provide high-
quality and learner-centred opportunities.

The purpose of shared education is:

  • To deliver educational benefits to children and young persons;
  • To promote the efficient and effective use of resources;
  • To promote equality of opportunity;
  • To promote good relations;
  • To promote respect for identity, diversity and community cohesion

Personal Development and Mutual Understanding

Our focus this year will be on developing and embedding the children's understanding of reconciliation through a series of PDMU (Personal Development and Mutual Understanding) lessons delivered throughout the school.
Primary One, Two and Three will be using the curriculum developed resources in Unit 6 of 'Learning Living Together' to initiate this journey. Each class will provide a cover letter which summarises the content of each module.

There are several ways your child may be involved including:

  • Shared PDMU lessons;
  • Shared assemblies;
  • Learning through play/Outdoor learning;
  • Shared educational visits;
  • Sporting activities;
  • Student Council;
  • Choir;
  • Whole School events.

Feel free to chat about these learning experiences with your child. Some talking points include:

  • What did you enjoy about your learning experience?
  • What was different from your usual learning experience?
  • Did you meet any new friends or teachers?
  • How did you develop your thinking skills (working with
  • others, being creative, problem-solving)?

Updates on your child’s experience of Shared education will be communicated via Seesaw and our school website.