Integrated Educatlon Fund Company Limited by Guarantee Trustees. Annual Report (Incorporating the Directors. Report) Yèarended 31 March 2024 Reference and a(Imlnlstrative data118 DIRECTORS Peter Osbome Chalr Ken Calhcart AUDITORS GMCG Belfast Chartered Accountants and Statutory Auditor Alfred House 19 Afred Street Belfast BT2 8EQ Gralnne C18rke (Retired t 7April 2024) Davld Cooke {Re16d 16August 2023) Sorcha Ofver Tre8surer from 13 December 2023 Barbara McAtamney Deputy Chaff untH 16 Augusl 2023 Mlchael McKernan Brandon Mcmasler Treasurer untll 13 December 2023 Ellen Mcvea Jane Morrlce Patrtcla Murtagh Deputy Chafr from 16 August 2023 Kathleen O'Hare OBE (Retired 9 July 2024) Mary Roulston MBE Depuly Chalr until 16 August 2023 June Wllkinson Deputy Chair from 16August 2023 BANKERS Bank of Ireland 28 Universlty Road Belfast BT7 1NH Danske Bank Business Plus PO Box 183 Donegall Squar8 West Belfast 8T16JS CHARITY ReGISTRATION NIC104886 Nl Central Investment Fund for Charities Level S, Causeway Exchange 1-7 Bedford Street Belfast BT2 7EG COMPANIES HOUSE N1636289 HMRC Ref•r•nc• N100545 SENIOR MANAGEMENT STAFF Tina Merron (Chief Execulive) Jill Caskey (Parenlal Engagement Manager) Sean Pettis {Acling Pwental Engagement Manager) Paul Caskey OBE {Head of Campaign) Paul Collins (Head of Public Affairs and Advoeacy) Gavin McGratlan (Finance Manager) Janlne Turner (Head of Operations) prOeSsive Bulding Society Progresslve H(MJse 33-37 Wellington Place 88lfasl BT16HH Ulster Bank 8uslness Olrect 111 Floor. Donegall Square Easi Bolfasl BT1 SUB CONTACT DETAILS Integrated Education Fund Foreslview, Purdy's Lane. Belfast 8T8 7AR T: +44 {0)28 9069 4099 E: info@ief.org.uk W: ief.org.uk SOLICITORS Cleaver Fulton & Rankin 50 Bedford Street Belfast BT2 7FW IEF REGISTERED OFFICE Integrated Educallon Fund Forestview. Purdy's Lane Belfast BT8 7AR
Integrated Education Fund Company Llmited by Guarantee Truste8s' Annual Report (Incorporatlng the Directors, Report) {conllnu•d) Year endod 31 March 2024 This report addresses the fdlowing matters: 1. Operallng context for the year 2. Structure, governance and management 2.1 Mandate 2.2 Govwning document 2.3 Board of Direclors 2.4 Direclor Induclk)n and tralning 2.5 Organisation and commlttees 2.6 Pay policy for senior staff 2.7 Risk Management 3. Obpclfves and acljvitigs 3.1 Purposes of the charity 3.2 Strategic vlsion 4. Achievements and performance 4.1 Empowering Parents - Parental Engagement 4.2 Empowering Schools - Effectlve Fundlng Programmes 4.3 Effecting Pollcy Change- Engagng at a political, educatiortal and indivSdual level 4.4 Malor Glft Fundralslng- Supporting ihe growth a developrnent of Integraled Education S. Financial revlew 5.1 Prlnclpal funding sources 5.2 Investment powers and policy 5.3 Re88rves policy 5.4 Grant making powers and policy 5.5 New financial software system 5.6 Other slgnrficant events that have affected finanG181 performarr 6. Plans for firture periods 7. Trustees. rnsponslbllltles statement
Integrated Educatlon Fund Company Llmited by Guarantee Trustees, Annual Report (Incorporating the Dlrectors, Report) fMntlnued) Year ènded 31 March 2024 OPERATING CONTEXT FOR THE YEAR The year 2023124 saw some very significanl developments for Integrated Education in Northem Ireland, From April 2023 until the end of January 2024, Northern Ireland functioned withoul a devolved administr8tion or silting Assembly followin9 the collapse cf the Executive in February 2022. This would mean there would be no Minister of Education in place for the majority of the period of Ihis report, The absence of a Minister would present several challenges during the year with responslbllltle8 paSSg lo the Permanent Secretsry for the Departrn8nt of Educatlon, Dr Mark Browne. This would include responslbllity for the implementation of the new Integrated Education Act (Northern Ireland) 2022 vthlch placed a further stalulory duty on the Department of Education (DE) to 'support' as well as 'encourage and facllitale" Integrated Educatlon. The new legislation should have presented a tremendous opportunity to see Increased government support for the growth and development of Integrated Education.. Instead, the Int8grated Education Fund (IEF) grew increasingly concerned that the DE would stall on full Implèmentation of the requirements of the Act. This is because the DE'S proposed strategy and action plan resulting from the Act seemed to indicate a reluctance not only to set meaningful targets and benchmarks for the growlh of Integrated Educallon bul also to present a clear way forward as to how demand for Integrated Educatlon would be measured. Mcrfeover, the suggesllon Ihal DE would set an Implementation budget a5 low as £50,000, caused the IEF some concern about the Ilkellhood of the Department being able to meet ils legal oblwalions under the Act in full. The absence of a functioning devolved government also delaypd the planned publlcatlon of the final report from the Independenl Review of Education chalred by Keir Bloomer. This report was finally publlshed in Decernber 2023. There were several recommendatlons In the report which the IEF found enurag1ng, not least ils support for the expansion of the number of Integrated schools. The Independent Review also proposed a reconfiguration of the network of schools to potentially create 177 new or reconfigured Jolnlly rnanaged communlly schools and slxth forms with expanded numbers of learners from different communities attending the same school and learnlng together. Whilst it was not clear whether such schools would resemble the current Integrated model, the IEF viewed such an approach worthy ol further exploratlon. The IEF also agreed with the Review's recommendation that a new approach lo the area planning process was necèssary and that an intlep6ndent Area Planning Commission should carry out a revlew of the exlstlng neork of schools In Northern Ireland. The IEF concurred with the recomrnendalion that proposed changes lo Ihe nehvork of schools should be made on a 'sector-bllnd' basls, priorltlsing the needs of learngrs and efficiency of delivery. Unfortunately. the DE has yet lo make an official response lo Ihe findings of the Review (lespile their publication several months previously. In addition to the Independent Review of Educalton, the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee at Westminster launched an Inquiry into Integrated Education in December 2023. This Inquiry was ihe result of work by the Inlegrated AlumNI Sn requestlng ihal such an Inquiry take place. The IEF presented both oral and wrltten evldence lo Ihe Comrniltee, alongside our colleagues in ihe Northern Ireland Councll for Integrated Education (NICIE) and the AiumNI, as well as several bodi8s representing various education stakeholders. However. due to Ihe announcement of a UK Gener81 Election in July 2024, the Inquiry did not produce a dekiled flnal report. ralher it Sssued its findings in the form of two lellers in May 2024, one to the Secretsry of State for Northern Ireland and one to the Education Minisl8r. In those letlers the Chairof the Committee sirnply summarised some of the key issues raised through the Inquiry. In February. ten Integrated schools and one shared educatlon campus, received the devasting news that their planned capital rebuilds. to be funded under the Fresh Start Agreement. would no longer be progressing as planned. Instead, the impacted schools were informed that they would now have lo compele with some 50 other schools in the lengthy DE Capital List which is already underfunded. This development was a result of the reallocation of £150 million of previously ring-fenced Fresh Start fltnding being given to the Northern Ireland Executlve as part of a deal put forward by the UK Government to restore devolution. This news was a huge setback lo all the schools involved, some of which had been planning for their new school for up io eight years. That sald. the IEF does appreciate that many
Integrated Educatlon Fund Company Llmited by Guarant•• Trustses. Annual Report (Incorporating the Dlrectorn, Report) {contlnu•d) Year ended 31 March 2024 Integrated schools have ben8filed significantly from the funding whlch had been made avallable under the Fresh Start Ageemenl. wilh a number of new school builds at construclion stage or already completed arKI Ihose schools who had reached 'contract' stage by February 2024 will still progre5S. Desplte these many challenges and the ongolng political impasse for much of 2023124. the IEF conlinued to implement its three•year stral8gy (Strategic Vlslon 2022-2025.. Towards 100 Integroted Schools). Central to thls strategy Is developing Ihe work to empower parents. local communllies and schtyJ$ wanl Integrated Educalion and to infomi them as to how they can become Involved In making such positive change a reallty. The IEF also continue(I to challenge Ihe segregated natwe of our education system through evldence-based research. as well as support schools to deliver integratlon Irb bolh policy and practice. Momenturn has conlinued to build. In September 2023, one prlmary school was apwoved by the DE to transform to Integrated status. However, three schools, proposals were not approv which was so disappointing to all the families and schools concerned. In the lasl 1ve months, eighl schools have cornpleted ballots of Ihelr parent body. asking them whether they want thelr school to submit a proposal to becoffle an Inlegrated school. A few of these schools are in small rural communltles. looklng to see ff Integrated statu8 could brlng a more susialnable fulure - for some It might be loo late but many of thé schools Ihat have chosen lo move forward wilh Transformation ar• Strong su8lalnable xhods and, In some cases. schools thal we already oversubsuibed. The IEF, Ihrough its grant programmes. continues to support all the Schools on Iheir Transformation loumeys as well as provide support for growth opportunlties in existing Integraled schools too. Support has not stopped there - a number of addltlonal grant progranmes, funded by donors, are as8lStlng Integrated schools in Iheir development. ongside growth of Inlegraled Education because of school Transformations, thls year hay seen Ihe approval of Iwo new school projects: a new Po81-Prlmary Grant Maintained Inlegrated School in the Mld Down area and a new Post-Primary Controlled Integraled School in the Causeway area. Each of the Pfojects incorporates an existing Integrated school18lackwater IC and North Coast IC respectlvely) and are Intended to create Iwo new suslalnable Integrated Colleges. Thre8 sch(M)18 8lso recelved approval lo establish Nursery school places, whlch is an imporlant aspect of Primary school sustalnabllity. However, il was rt just the Increased adivty and 8UPPOrt at a sch¢)ol and Ial communlty level that gave tho IEF opilmlsm Ihroughoul Ihe year bul also the developments al a national government level too. 2023 marked ihe 25th Anniversary of the slgnlng ol the Good Frlday {Belfast> Agreemenl and Ihe IEF was Involved In a number of slgnificanl evenls surrounding the Annlversary. On 06 April, we were honoured to be hosted by the Secretary of Slate for Northem Ireland Chrls HeatOnwHarris and Tanaisle Mlcheal Martin at W5 Belfast to celebrate the contribution of Integrated Education to the r8c¢)nciliation process. The IEF also continued lo be supported by Ihe Northem Ireland Office wlth fundlng to support its work wlh Transformation. the Future Schools Project and research while, together with NICIE, the Fund continues lo benefit from the support of the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs. Reconciliation Fund as a Strategic Partner. The IEF and NICIE contlnued to work with more 8Ghools. parents and local communlties Ihan ever before. The IEF appreciates that none of Ihls success could have been achleved withcwt the help of all our supporters and donors. Thank you.
Integrated Education Fund Company Limlted by Guarant8e Trustees. Annual Report (Incorporating the Directors, Report) (¢ontlnued) Year endad 31 March 2024 STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCEAND MANAGEMENT MANDATE The mandate of the l EF Is derlved from the expressed demand of parents and individual schools who seek Integrated Educalion for thelr children and pupils. GOVERNING DOCUMENT The IEF was èstabli8hed In 1992 88 a charitable trust to provlde a financial fourKlalion for Ihe developmenl and growth of Inlegrated Educallon In Northern Iraland. Unlil April 2016 It was governed by Its Deed of Trust, dated 17 February 1992. In early 2016 the IEF completed the process of Incorporation in order lo give the Fund a stronger. more secure legal Sdenlily, and has bean operating as a charitable company limlled by guaranlee sln¢e 01 Aprll 2016. The IEF is reglstered with Companies House (N16362891 and the Charlty Commlsslon for Northern Ireland (NIC104886) and Is recognised as charity for lax purposes under HMRC reference N100545. BOARD OF DIRECTORS The Fund is Managed by a Board of Directors (who are also the Trust8es for the purposes of charity law)- the maximum number of Dlrectors is 15. In 2023124 one member relired from the Board (David Cooke). no naw members Joined and, at 31 March 2024. there were 13 Directors. One Director stepped down In Aprll 2024 and another In July 2024 reducing the number to 11. Each Director may serve for Ihree years aft8r whlch period they may pul Ihemselves forward for r&appointment for a second I further term. however no member may seNe longer than six years or, if so resolved by all the then Directors In accordance wllh the Memorandum and Articles of Association, nine years continuously. The Board meets on an annual basls to agree the broa(1 strategy and aréas of work for the Fund. and meets regularfy (at least 4 times per year) for the conslderation of the Fund's acllvitles Including 9ranl maklng: advocacy work., fundraising., parental engagement: investmenl,. reserves,. risk management and other policles and predures., and performance, The Board keeps the skills requirement for Directors under revlew and, in the event of a vacancy arislng on the Board. the Board has an agreed policy and procedures for recrulting new members such as advertising (for example via the IEF websile or by direct mailing to all Integrated schools), or personal referral. The ullimale decision on appointments is a matter for the Board. The IEF works closely with the Northern Ireland Councll for Integrated Educatlon (NICIEI at all levels: th8 two Boards meet together every year.. the Chairs meet Iwice per year, and the Chief Executs've Officers meel every month for updating and dlscussion of current issues. DIRECTOR INDUCTION AND TRAINING The Induction process for any newly-appointed Direclor comprises an inltial meeling with Ihe Chair and the Chlef Execulive, followed by a series of briefing meetings with key members of staff. The strategic vision, the Board and decision making proc85ses, policies and procedures, and the financlal struciure and perforrnance of the Fund are discussed in detail. Any training needs are also discussed.
Integrated Education Fund Company Llmited by Guarantee Trustees. Annual Report {Incorporatlng the Dlrectors, Report) (conthitr Year ended 31 March 2024 ORGANISATION AND COMMirrEES The Board of Directors administers the charity,. the day-ltrday operaiions of the IEF are managed by the Chlef Executlve (appointed by the Board) and the Chief Executive's staff. To facditate effeGtive operatlons the Board has delegaled thorilY to the Chief Executlve for operational matters induding finance and human resources. In Octobef 2023. Tlna Merron, Chief Executlve of the IEF slnce August 1998, advlsgd the Board of her plans to retire In Ihe summer of 2024. The Board dec8 to Seek a company lo wovide professional assistance wlth Ihe recruttment of a new Chlef Execullve wlth a vlew to having a succ8ssful candldale in post lo work alongside the current CEO during her final month al the IEF. The invitalion lo tender was sent out lo a number of recruilmeni agencies In January 2024 and the agency appolnted then worked with a small group of five IEF Dlrectors on the recruilmenl and seleclion of Ihe new Chief Executive. The post was widely advertlsed and the successful candidate, Paul Caskey, the IEF'S Head of Campalgn, wlll lake up hi5 new role in July 2024. As well as working with the Board and IEF slaff. the Chlef Executive works dosely wlth a small number of Oireclor-led commillees lo which the Boafd has al80 delegated speclflc power8: The Grants Committee has been delegated powers lo consider in delall applications to the IEF for fundin9, and to make decisions about applications which meet specific criteria, or make recommendations to the full IEF Board. The Commiliee also develops new grant programme3. as funding becomes avadable, to ensure that the mosl crllbcal needs of SchClS and groups are addressed. and Ihat the programme8 have maximum Impact and deliver maxlmum value for money. The Publlc Affair8 and Advocacy Group has been set up by the Board lo drive forw¥d the IEF'S work to brlng about structural and policy cge in education. The gr*p oversees public affalrs and advocacy. The StaffirvJ Cornmittee has been d8legat8d responsibility for ensurlng compllanee wllh the requirements of employment law and IEF policies and procedures with regard to 81afflng. and to mak8 recommendations to the Board as approprSate. The d8y-ttrday managemeni of Human Resourc8s18 delegated to the H•ad of Operatlons. The Rlsk Management Cornmittee. on behalf of the Board. identifies and assesses risks to Ihe IEF, and regularly revlews the controls whh are In place, lo ensure they continue to meet the IEF'8 needs. The Parent81 Eryagement Worklng Group has been tasked by the Board wlth oveL8eeing the IEF'S work 10 8mpower parents to grow more Integrated Education through the process of Transfomiatlon and work alongside NICIE to support any sch7 in Northern Ireland embath'ng on the journey to Integrated Education, The Strategic Funding Overslght Group Is a consultative forum providing strateglc direction ta ensure Ihat Key Performance Indicators (KPIS) are being met effectivdy in relation to exlernal funding received by the Integrated Educalion Fund from the Northem Ifeland Office (NIO), Irish Department of Foreign Affairs {IDoFA) and the International Fund for Ireland (IFI). The group meets Iwlc8 per year and all issues, proposals and recommendations are referred to the full IEF Board of Dlrectors for discussion and decisions. Each of these slx committees has th8ir own Terms of Reference (TOR) delalling their remit. schedule of meellngs and membership. TORS are reviewed every three years by the Board.
Integrated Educatlon Fund Company Umlted by Guarantee Trustses. Annual Report (Incorporating the Directors. Report) {11 Yoar ended 31 March 2024 ORGANISATION AND COMMirrEES (ntInUed Working groups meet as requlred. for example in relation to research work. In addition to the Board of Directors and its commlttees and working groups, the IEF also has Campaign Council, chalred by Oavld Montrnery. lo provlde advlce and guidance ft>r its major gift fundralsing campaign. The Campaign Council Is serviced executively by the FurKI'5 Chief Executive and Head of Campalgn. The campaign is further supported by volunteers in London and Belfast. PAY POLICY FOR STAFF IEF Board conslders Dlrectors and the Senior Managemènt Team to be the key management porsonnel of the charily in charg8 of directing and Controlllng, runnlng and operating tho IEF on a day- io-day basis. All Dlrector8 give of Ihelr Ilme fre8ty and no Dlreclor recelved rernuneration in the year. Details of Direclor expenses are disclosed in Nola 19 to the accounts. In vlew of the nature of the charity and Its economy of operations, the Directors benchmark staff salarles both against National Jotnt Councll (NJC) pay scales and other charities of a similar size and activily, to ensure that the remuneration set Is fair and not out of line with that generally pald for slmilar roles. NJC pay scales are local goveinment pay Scales extensively used in the voluntary arKI communlty sector. They result from negotiations between trade unlons and Local Government Employers and any agreed Incre8So In the rale8 of pay are reflected In IEF salaries. Staff also receive annual increments, sublect to a satlsfaclory annual appralsal, until they reach the lop of their partlcular pay band. Three new staff members joined the IEF during the year, and three exlsling staff members left, and the total number of staff at 31 March 2024 V#7S 16 (15 full time equtvalent). RISK MANAGEMENT The Board of Directors is responsible for the management of risks faced by the Integraled Education Fund. Detalled consid6ralion of risk is delegated to Ihe Rlsk Management Commitlea. Rlsks are Identlfi8d and assessed. and conlrols are 8Stablished throughout the year. A formal review of the charity'5 risk management processes. including the rlsk register. is undortaken annually. The key Controls used by the IEF In¢lud&: establlshed organisational and goveman¢e Siruclure and Ilnes of reportlng detailed terms of reference for all committees comprehensive financial planning, budgeting and management accountlng formal wrillen policies and hierarchical auihorisation and apwov81 leve15 regular review of current risks lo the Fund Through the risk managemenl processes established by Ihe Fund. Directors are satisfied that the major risks identified are being adequalely Tnanaged. It 1$ recognised thal systems can provide reasonable but not absolute assurance that major risks have been adequately managed. As part of ongoing risk management. and as important aspects of best practlce. Ihe IEF monitors and evaluales Intemal policles, procedures and Gontrols, as well as key areas of the Fund's work. In 2023, after a seledive tendering process, Jackson Andrews Chartered Accountants were appolnled lo Carry out the IEF audit for the financial year 2023124 and for the following Iwo years with the option
Integrated Education Fund Company Limlted by Guarantee Trustses. Annual Report (Incorporatlng the Directors, Report) (confkn Year ended 31 March 2024 RISK MANAGEMENT {contlnu•d) to exlend for a further Iwo years. The annual audit Includes reportlng to the IEF Board on. for example. any issues relating lo the Audit, Financial Reporting and Intemal Controls in order to meet the mandatc requlrements of Intemational Standards on Auditing (UK and Ireland). Later In 2023 Jackson Andrews Chartered Accountants was acquired by GMCG Chartered Accountant8 arKI GMCG Belfast are now the IEF'S auditors, OBJecTives AND ACTIVITIES PURPOSES OF THE CHARITY Thé purpos88 of the IEF are the furtherance of Integrated Educalion in Northem Ireland whether dlrectty or indlrectly and by any lawfLtrI and charltable means. The Directorj confim that they have referred to the guldance on publrc benefit Fxovlded by thé Charity Commission for Northern Ireland (CCNI) when implementlng the Fund's stratogic plan. fevlewing Its ot4ectlves and plannlng future aclivlti•$. STRATEGIC VISION The Intealed Educalion Fund (IEF) shares the vlslon held by an overwhelmln9 majorlty of people In Northem Ireld Ihat (nore Integratlon and mSxlng belween communities IB essenllal lo building a betler and more reconciled society. Thè IEF wants a soclety where, InGrea51ngly. chlldren from different tradilions learn and play tog8th8r at same sct¥Jols. helping lo build a more uniled community M+ther8 there is respect and celebration. not fear, of religious and cultural dlverslty. Accordlng to th8 latest Northern Iraland wlde attitudinal poll In March 2023, 68% of people be15eve Integraled Educalion - where chlldren from Protestant, call11¢, other faith backgrounds and none, are educaled together and where the symbols, ethos and tradltlons of the enttre communty are valued and respected - shoukl be the main model for our education system. The IEF wanls an education system which fully prepares rts young people to contribute posit•vely lo a modern democracy and be successful cllizens In an Increasingly complex 9lobal soclety. An essential iryedient for this future is the devdopfflenl of more Integraled Educatlon In a reformed education system - 8 System which énsures Ihat all children and young people feel included and welcome in the school envlronmenl. In order to achieve its aims, the IEF has a three year strategic vision (Strategic Vision 2022-2025.. Towards 100 Inlegraled Schools) which Contains four key focus afeas: EmF)owering Cornmunltles to Access Integrated Education. Supporting ihe Growth of Inlegrated Education, Challenging Segregated Educatlon System and Supporting Integration in Action.
Integrated Education Fund Company Llmlted by Guarantee Trustees, Annual Raport (Incorporating tha Dir•ctors' Report) (¢ofttlnuod) Yearended 31 March 2024 ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE EMPOWERING PARENT8- PARENTAL ENGAGEMENT The Parental Engagement Campalgn continues to grow support for the legal process of Transformaln, in whiGh a non-integrated school becomes Inlegraled. In particular, the Integrate My School {IMS) website continues to enable parents across Northem Ireland lo support Transformation specifically for their school. The success of the campalgn Is borne out In survey data. In 2011 around 15% (IPSOS Mori) of parents were aware of the process of Transfomallon. compared ID 66¥0 In 2023 (LucidTalk Survey 2023). Since the start of the campaign in 2017, 26 schools have been supported to hold successful pafental ballots regarding Transformation to Integrated status. The average 'Yes' vote has been around 90% with an average turnout of 71 %. Al the lime of writing, we are aware of 8 further trNo schools that wlll move to ballot in the 2024125 financial yéar. Followlng a pantaI ballot In favour of Transformation. a school submits 8 Development Proposal (DP) to the Educallon Authorlty and the Department of Education for consideration. In September 2023 Sion Mills Primary School WBS approved for Transforrnatlon by the Department of Educatlon and opened as an Integrated scFM)ol In January 2024. Proposals from three other primary schools - St Anne'3 (Donaghadee). Straid and Glllygooley - were all not approved by the Department of Education, with the issue of sustainability b&'ng the main reason given- thls was also the case in April 2024 for St Eugene's Primary School (Tlrcur). However. we were pleased that Lurgan Model Primary School was approved by the Minister in mid-Awil 2024 and will open as an Integrate(I school in September 2024. The following schools have submllled a Development Proposal {DP) for Tr8nsformation, and the Mlnister of Educatlon wlll make a declsion In f61ation to these: Submltt•d in 2022123 St Eugene's Prlmary School, Vlctorfa Bridge Magherafelt Nursery School Calmshlll Prlmary School, Belfast Submltted In 2023124 Bangor Academy and 61h Form College Rathmore Primary School, Bangor Downshire Nursery School, 8anbridge There are also a number of olher schools that h8ld successful parental ballots in 2023124 that will also move towards submitllng a DP.. Ballyhenry Primary School, Newtownabbey Culmore Primary School. Derry Downshir8 Primary School, Hillsborough Duneane Primary School, Toomebridge Killowen Primary School, Coleraine These schools have availed of a range of support services from the IEF'S Parental Engagement Team Including parent informalion and community engagement sessions. with sorne also attending markelirvJ and communications training.
Integrated Educatlon Fund Company Llmited by Guarantee Trusteès. Annual Report (Incorporating the Dlrectors, Report) (cl1U•I Year ended 31 March 2024 4.1.1 Comniunlty Outr•ach Reaching out to communities to provide Information continues to be a prlorfty. uslng outreach stalls. events and conferences suth as a conference on 'Diversity in Our Schools. (held as part of Good Relations Week 2023). events at the Féile an Phobail and the serles of 'Tenx9' story telllng events In Dery. Belfast and Omagh. The IEF conllnues to WO in partnershlp 1h Ulstef Unlversity to deliver the Future Schools Project. The alm of this project Is to Indude more school and communlty input in the Area Plannlng Process. The Primary School Toolkit that was created as part of this project has been disseminated to schools and communities to help them consider the sustainablllty of thelf school and to ensure that any poten(ial pathways for worklng together with other schools are considered, including exorIng an Integraled option, Ulster University 18 now WQfking on a toolkil for Post-Primary Schools whlch wfjll be launched in September 2024. In 2023124 we provrded presentations to local councils, partiCLAarly In wral areas where small schools e vulnerable to closure. We have rehe out to schools, community groups and elected representatives, Informlng them aboul the Fulure Schools approach. Ulster Unlverslty wlll be leadlng series of 'Community Conversations. in the next financlal year which wlll further te8t Ihe melhodology, engage comrnunlties and provide rich data on Ihe typ8 of hOOlIng communitles wanl In thelr arna. Our collaboration wlth Ulster University and Educate Together. to g8lher the views of bwder communities on education, came to a corKlusion In October 2023, with the launch of a fknal feport, Pwle, Schools and Borders. TNS project was funded Ihrough the IFI'S Communilies in Partnership Programme. 1.2 Wld•r Promotlon The IEF has contlnued to hold oulreach stands at a variety of events and festivals to prornole the IMS campaign. There have been a number of artlcle8 featured in local and nationai nevpaperS M'ghlighting the tèam's work and the positlve parenlal ballots and transformation8. 4.1.3 Empow•rlng School• - Intogratlon Work8 The IEF, working alongside NICIE, continues to support schools that are explorlng Transformalion through our annual Integrallon Works events for school principals and staff. and for school governors. as V11 as Transformation Support Programme (TSP) evenls. The Integration Works proJeGt ha5 been 8UPPOrted by the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade's Reconciliation Fund through their Strategic Partnershlp Grant (which is due lo run until Aprll 2025), and by the NIO. This collaboratlve project beeen the IEF and NICIE supp¢)rts early engagemeni wlth schools in relation to Transformation, as well as development and leadershlp programm88 for recently Iransformed sCh(S - the two organi5atrons contlnue to meet monthly to develop their joint strategy for engaging with schools. 4.1.4 Tho Year In Numbern Through Communlty and Parental Oulr8ach, we engaged with 1.878 people acfOSS 62 events. Through School L•adershlp outreach and events, we engaged with 55 schools. providing informalion on Integrated Education. We supported 8 schools lo move lo sue¢essful Parental Ballot. We irueased registrations on the IntegrateMySchool.com platform by 33% on the previous school year. Training arKI support sessions offered to schools received a rating of 100% of participants either satlsfled or very satlsfled. 10
Integrated Education Fund Company Llmlted by Guarantee Trustees. Annual Report (Incorporating the Dlrectors, Report) {GonllnÉMd) Year ended 31 March 2024 4.2 EMPOWERING SCHOOLS- EFFECTIVE FUNDING PROGRAMMES Granl maklng is aligned to the IEF'S strategic vision for 2022-2025 arKJ aims to empower schools to support the growth of Integrated Education towards 100 schools by 2025,. at 31 March 2024 there were 71 Integrated schools. The IEF promotes and manages a number of grant streams. each wilh programmes which have their own criteria againsl which applications are assessed and grants made. There are four main grant streams.. Integration Works.. Transfomiing Schools Support Prcoramm• (Exploring Tran$fomiation' Building the Case ft)r Tran8formation; and Newly TTansfomied Schools, post DE approval) Golro for Growlh.. Existing Integrated Schools Supporl Programme (Impact of Growth Grants) Slrenglhening Inlegrated Education {Trust Programmes, the Carson Award5, Lincoln Awards. Iniegration Through Sport, Uniform Grants. Local Herllage Grants. Early InlerventionlAdditional Needs Support and the Integrated AlumNI) Restn'cted and Other Grants (Workin9 With donors to admlnlster restricted donatlon8) 4.2.1 Intogratlon Work•: Tran8formlng School8 Support Programm• The IEF has been working with a number of schools which are explorlng ihe Transformation process. Each school will lake whatever length of time Is appropriate for their partlcular clrcumslances to con51der what integration would mean for them. Once wents or governors of a school formally iniliate Transforniation. C6vica Elecllon Services conducts a confidentlal ballot of parents. If a simple majority of those who vole in the ballot is in favour of Transformation, and at least 50% of those ellglble to vote have done 80. the Board of Governors must submil a Development Proposal {DP) supported by a Case for Change to the Educatlon Authority {EA). The school must provlde pertinent background and robust and verifiable Information re181ing to the DP lo support Iheir Case lor Chang6 and io enable those affecled by the proposal lo understand the educational and other merits of the proposed change. In 2023124, three grants were awarded to schcx)Is to enable the teachers, governors, parenls and the wlder school community to exploffj whal Transformatlon could mean for Ihelr school. to prepare for, and carry oul ballots of parents lo delermlne if the work toward Transformatlon should conlinue. Nine grants were awarded lo support schools that had previously successfully balloted their panIS and who were continuing their Transformation journey. Two grants were awarded lo schools that have recently transformed and are developing their Inteated ethos as well as publiclsing thelr new 6tatus. Cuffenily, Ihefe are 6 0Ps for Transformation awaiting a OE declsion. 4.2.2 Golng for Growth: exl•llng Intégratad School• Support Programme The number of puplls at Integrated standalone nursery schools is 113 (two Nursery schools), wllh 12,195 prirn¥y arKI 15,367 post primary pupils from September 2023, totalling 27.675 across 71 schools. These figures have IreaSed from 27,183 pupils aixoss 70 5¢hools In 2022 I.e. an additional 492 pupils. There were five published Development Proposals for growth relatlng to exlsting Integrated schools which were awaiting a decision by DE as of 31 March 2023 and these included Spires, Omagh, Bridge armj Cliftonville Integrated Primary Schools for new or additional nursery unlts. and an Increase to admissions and enrolment numbers for Millennium Integrated Primary School {IPS). It should be noted that Mi118nnlum IPS'S Development Proposal has since been approved {in April 2024), lowering the number of Integrated schools awaiting a DP for growth ijecislon lo four. The Development Proposal for a new Integrated College in th8 Mid Down area, which would incorporate Blackwater Integrated College. was approved in October 2023 and an IEF grant contlnues lo support the project. 11
Integrated Education Fund Company Llmited by Guarantee Trustees. Annual Report (Incorporatlng the Dlrectors. Report) (conurnmdj Year ended 31 March 2024 Th8 Development Proposal for a schools, arnalgamalion invdving North Coasl Integrated College. Dunluce School and Coleraine College was approved in September 2023. An IEF grant is nIlnUing to allow the thr88 schools lo work together and to help with and awareness ralslng. Whilsl growlh in Sntegrated schools and school places Is what the IEF and Its donors and supporters contlnually work t¢)wards, achievlng thls growth also brlngs with it challewes. This year the IEF was pleased to be able to help a number of Integrated schools lo deal wllh such challenges, includlr¥J Mallusk, Omagh and Oakgrove Integrated Primary Schools and Nalscoil na Seolta. Naiscoil na Seolta Is an Irish language playgroup in East Belfast that is currently working lowards a DP to become an Inlegraled Nursery and Primary School tght through the Irish Médlum. The IEF will contribute to the costs of the P1 teacher and classroom asslstanl salaries. The Impacl of Groth Programme is generously funded by a number of funders includin9 Hagan Homes and the NIO. 4.2.3 Str•ngth•nlng Int•gratad Educatlon An Intwated elhos does not happen by slmply having a mlx of pupils. Schoo18 need to continually consider ways to dellver integration In pracilce. They need to not only rellect on but also develop their praclice to en5we all puptls, siaff ar governors feel welcome and their identity is celebrate(J, trrespectlve of Ihelr cultural or religlous background. The IEF offers a number of funding streams to help Strengthen ethos by supporting work In Intwated schools Ihat celebrate8 diverslty. Th• Trust Programm• The Twst Prwamme supports Integraled schools wlshlng to further develop and embed Ihe ethos and practice of Integration wllhin their own school. In some cases, Integrated schools located close to each other have worked together, wilh thèlr parents and governois. lo renew their Integrallorb. Round 8 of the programme, for projects wSlhln the 2023124 acadeffllc year, has been generously supported by the Pears Foundatlon {£40,000) and Hagan Homes {£25.0). This has enabled the IEF to award grants lotalllng £78,727 to 20 projects. These projects, Involving 24 schools. are due lo be Completed by June 2024. An addiilonal five projects totalling £12,821 were 81so supwrted Ihrough Inlegratlon in Action funding. Th• Carson Awards Founded by legerK1ary Northern Ireland Comedian the late Frank Carson, and his son Tony, the Carson Awards refiecl thelr long-StarKling support for Integrated Education in Northern Ireland as well ae their commitmenl to celebratin9 the creatlve talen15 of young people. Now in thelr sixieenth year. the Awards offer pupils at Integrated schools the opportunity lo develop and display their creatlve skllls through bursari88 arKI a prize competitlon by demonstrating What IntwJated Education means to m8,. The IEF was delighted lo be able lo award 17 Carson Bursaries in December 2023 totalling £13,282. Llncoln Award• The Llncoln Award5 were founded by Gefaldine Hughes and Conor Allen. who also provide generous sponsorship f(Y the programme. The Awards are deslgned to support Integraled College students who have been accepted for a Universlly or Higher Education place but who are experiencirKJ financial hardship. Each award Is for £1,000. Thls year the programme received addltlond contribjlions from the Irish American Partnership as well as several donations in memory of Baroness May Blood. In 2023124, awards lotalling £9,000 were allocated to former Integrated College students. Integratlon Through Sport The core purpose of the programme is lo help Introduce new sports to a school In order to provide opportunities for pupils to experterw sports normally associated with just one cultural tradition in Ncrfthern Ireland. The sports considered eligible indude Hockey. Hurling. Camogie, Crlcket. GAA Football Rugby. Consideration is also given to supportin9 schools which have recently started on the 'lnlegrated sports. journey and would benefil from further investment. Thls 15 Ihe second year in 12
Integrated Education Fund Company Limited by Guarantee Trustees, Annual Report (Incorporating the Directors, Report) fcontlnuod) Yearended 31 March 2024 4.2.3 Strengthanlng Intogratad Educatlon (contlnu which this programme has been funded by Hagan Homes. The programme supports coaching, apparel and equipment costs. Twenly schools benefited from grants awarded, totalling £34,787. School Unifomis Thls programme was deslgned to help support the needs of familles who struggle financially lo provide regulallon uniform and PE kils for their chddren. Twenty-two schools received School Uniform grants totalling £12,400 wlth fundlng beino provided by Hagan Homes. Early Int•rv•ntlonlAdditional Neads Support Thls programme is generously supported by Hagan Home$ and the prlmary airn was lo make a posltlva difference for children within nurserylplaygroups, Foundation stage andlor Key Stage 1. Thls programme was heavily oversubscrlbed. The IEF was able to support Seventeen schools with grants tolalling £97,184 with addillonal funding from other IEF don5 to support this programme. Int•gratlon Through Local H•rftago This programme, established and funded by forrner IEF Director, Roderick Downer. alms to encourage grealer understandSng and respect for diverslly in chlldren and young p80ple, through exploring and experiencing thelr local herltage. Now in its second year. the FKogramme Is benefitilng a further nSne schools wlth grants totalling £13,100. 4.2.4 Other Grants IntegTated AlurnNI The Integrated Schools Alumnl Associatlon. known as the Integrated AlumNI, Is now a charty In its owri right. wlth a network of past puplls from Integrated and other schools, and active individuals In Northam Ireland as well as London, Edinburgh and Llverpool. The Integrated AIutnNI is slill in receipt ol an IEF grant to support Iheir developmenl. 4.2.$ Re8trlct•d Grants As well as provlding flnancial support to schools and projects through its varlous grant making programmes, the IEF also admlnistèrs re51ricted donations re¢8ived for speciflc purposes. The IEF Is In receipl of funding from th& Northern IreIar Office towards Transformation grants lo schools for Exploration. Pre- and Posl-Ballol acllvllies, and Posl Development Proposal grants, as well as the Future Schools Project and lh8 Impaot of Growlh Programme. 4.3 EFFECTING POLICY CHANGE: EMGAGING AT A POLITICAL, EDUCATIONAL AND INDIVIDUAL LEVEL 4.3.1 Political AdVa¢Y and Engagement. Stormont Integrated Edueation Act (Northern Ir•land) 2022 Following on from the passing of Ihe Inlegrated Education Act, the IEF has engaged wlth the Department of Education IDE) and other education stakeholders to implement the Acl. The IEF is represented on both the Integrated Education Implemenlalion Group and the Working Group along with NICIE. the Association of Principal Teachers of Integrated Schools (APTIS) and the Integrated AlumNI. In addition, the IEF contributed to the OE Integrated Education AGtAcfion Plan Consultation (31 August to 30 November 2023). 13
Integrated Educatlon Fund Company Llmited by Guaranteè Trustees. Annual Report (Incorporatlng tho Dlrectors, Report) {contlnued) Yearended 31 March 2024 4.3.1 PolltlGal Advocacy and Engagement. Stormont l¢ontlnu•a7) As parl of th8 implementation of Ihe A¢t, DE published A Strategy for Integrated Education in Northern Ire18nd ak)ng with an accompanylng Actlon Plan on 26 April 2024. The IEF expressed conGerns Ihat the new Strategy fell short of thè 8xpectations of the Act In thal It dld nol Include clear melhod of measuring demand for Integrated EducatloD. clearly deflned targets, nor sulTicient funding to support the Strategy. The IEF, in partnership wllh Public Inleresl Lltigation Support IPILS), are pursuing legal actlon whlch may lead lo a Judicial Review against the OE to challenge whether or not they have delivered on the requiremènts of the Integrated Education Act. Falr Employmént (School T•ach•r•) Act 2022 Meetlngs were held wlth both the Executive Office and Equal Opportunlties Commisslon In preparalion for the Act becoming law on 12 May 2024. The Indopendent Revlow of Educallon {IRE) On 13 DeGember 2023 the IRE panel publlshed their flnal report Invesllng In a 8etter Future. The report gained slgnificanl medla coverage as it called for the end of the Slrul8 Shar8d Education Campus which led lo criticism from lo¢al pollllcians and the OE. The IEF broadly welcomed Ihe report as il supported Integrated Educatlon and called for Ihe independent review of Area Planning. However, there was a lack of clarily in relation to the crealion of 177 jointly managed communlty schools which the IEF ralsed durlng their meetlng with Keir Bloomer {Chair, IRE) on 15 January 2024. Furth•r •ngag•rnont wlth •l¢cted r•pru•ntatlv•s Councll El•¢tlon8118 May 2023>: A successful husting8 evenl was run with Inteated AlumNI on 11 May at Malone Hotel. Belfast. In addlllon, the IEF ran a successful social medla campaign on len ask8 from our elected represeniatlves over ten days l•adlng up to thé Elections. Ul$t•r Unlv•rslty Coftfer•nco124 Octobor 2023).. The theme of Ihe conference was the Soclal Gost of divislon in Northem Ireland, highlightlng the Ulster Unlverslty research published in April 2023 which included an estimate Ihat the cost to the public purse of maintaining a dlvlded education gysleffl is £600,000 per day {Transforming Educatlon Briefing Paper 18). The event. which was held al the Ulster University Belfast Campus, was attended by Steve 88ker MP (Mlnister of State for Northern Ireland) as well as MLAS, leading academics, and business and community representatlves. Educatlon Unplugged (02 Novomber 2023): This event with the Integrated AlumNI In Crumlin Road Gaol involved presentations by Pat Sheehan MLA (SF) and lan Paisley MP (DUP) followed by a Ilvely dlscussion to a packed audience. Fresh Start Fundlng: On 21 February 2023. ten Integrated Schools and one Shared Education campus were informed that they would not receive capital funding whreh had been allocated to thern under the UK government's Fresh Slart Agreement. This issue has generated considerable media attention and resulted in a Nl Assembly Alliance motion I debate on 12 March. The IEF wrote to both the Education Mlnister and Secretary of Slate seeking clarification. A delegation of MLAS and MPS visited Forge Inlegrated Primary School, Belfast on 26 March and they were quizzed about the decision. The IEF successfully applied lo PILS to get a Legal Opinion on the decision. If the Legal Opinion advises that there is a case to be heard, the IEF will issue a Pre-A¢tion Protocol Letter to the relevant party. 14
Integrated Educatlon Fund Company Llmlted by Guarantee Trustees. Annual Report (Incorporating the Dlrectors, Report) (contlnuad) Year 8nded 31 March 2024 4.3.1 Political Advocacy and Engagemerrt, Stormont (contlnu•d) Me•llngs and Conferen¢os: IEF information stands were taken at the Sinn F8in All Ireland Ard Fheis. as w811 as DUP. Alliance, UUP and SDLP annual confèrences. In addition, there were private briefings with Pal Sheehan MLA, John Loughrarb (Special Advisor lo Michelle O'Neill MLA). Conor Diamond (Head of Education Pollcy) (all Sinn Fein}- Richard Bullick (Special Advisor lo Education Minister) {DUPI, Naomi Long MLA, Nick Matheson MLA. Connie Egan MLA. Kellie Armstrong MLA {all Alliance)., Matthew O'Toole MLA and Cara Hunter MLA (SDLP),, and Cllr Ryan Mccready and Robbie 8utler MLA {UUP). 4.3.2 Polltlcal Advocacy and Engagemont, Westmlnst•r The IEF contlnued10 engage wilh Weslminster and collaborated with the Inlegrated AlumNI In setting up The Nl Affalrs Committee (NIAC} Integrated Education Inqulry. The IEF along with Integrated AlumNI and NICIE gave oral evidence lo NIAC on 28 February 2023. In addilion. NIAC Committee members vlsited Hazelwood Integrated College on 11 March. Further engagement included meetings with Colm Eastwood MP (SDLP), Sir Jeffrey Donaldson MP. Lord Dodds, Sarnmy Wilson MP. Carla Lockhart MP, JIM Shannon MP, Gregory Carnpbell MP. lan Palsley MP. Gavin Robinson MP (all DUP), and Stephen Farry MP (Alllance). 4.3.3 Rosearch Basod Advocacy The 2023124 year saw an Increase In research activity which aims to belter understand public opinion of Inlegrated Education, Ghallenge the existing education system and provld? practical support and knowledge for Integrated and transfomling schools. The Fund's contlnulng collaboration wlth Ulster Universlty through the Transformlng Educallon (TE) research has been central to developlng the Fund's evldence base. During the year further Transfomlng Education Brleflng Papers were published by the Unlversity.. Paper 19 Schools in Northern Ir&land.' Suslained wilhout Suslainabillly pap 20 Integrat8d Educ8tlon in Northern Ireland.. The Skny So Far The papers are availablè on the IEF and Ulsler Unlvèrsity websites and were dlstributed lo elecled representatives and policy makers. At the time of wrillng. Paper 21. which is an update of research exploring Isolated palrs ol s¢hools.18 being developed. Thanks to the NIO fundlng. two other research initialives were developed durlng the year and, followlng a competitive tendering process, two contracts have been awarded to Queen's University, Belfast: Prof Joanne Hughes and Dr Reb8cca Loader are produclng a r8POrt on the strengths and weaknesses of the Integrated Education Transfomiation process. This is due lo be flnalised in May 2024 and will provide an invaluable evidence baso for schools, support bodies and the Departfflent of Education, as policy around Transformation is revised In Ilghl of the Integraled Education Acl. Dr James Nelson and a leern from Queen's Universily have been awarded 8 contract lo explore the links beeen particlpatlon Sn Inlegraled Education and sociallinlergroup allitudes and associaled behaviours. This will be one of the largest studies lo date that measures aspects of the impact of Integrated Education on chlldren and young people. The report is due to be completed in December 2024. 15
Integrated Educatlon Fund Company Limited by Guarantee Trustees, Annual Report (Incorporating the Dlrectors, Report) (contlnwd) Yearended 31 March 2024 42.3 R•s•ah Ba8od Advocw (contlnwdj Ty small SGale research projects, funded by a number of other funders, have also been awarded that will support Integrated schools to develop Iheir ethos and practice: Exploring Religious Education 8nd Related Practlce in Integrated Prmnary Schools has been awarded to Confluence Facilitation. Completing in August 2024, Ihis project will suppm good practlce across Inlegraled Education in deliv8rlng Inclusive Religious Education that affirms all beliefs, traditions, and none. Religlous b818nce in Integrated Schools will focus on the ways In whlch schools work towards achieving religious balance. Hamessing praCte fr other areas where community background data Is collected, il wlll provide guidance for Schools around how to meaningfully comfflunicate about, and ¢olle¢l religious background data. RF Associales will produce a final report In September 2024. The IEF continued to work wllh Lucirffalk to measure public attitudes to Integratéd Educatlon and the oducation system more generally, as prevlously quoted. Alongskle the regional polls, a micro poll was held in the Lame area, with furthgr polls in the next year scheduled for Holywood. East Belfast and West Belfast. In August, Ihe IEF recelved ARK'S report on methods that can be used to measure demand for Inlegraled Education. The IEF also developed a module of question5 for the Young Life and Times survey, with responses expected In June 2024. MAJOR GIFT FUNDRAISING: SUPPORTING THE GRowfH ANO DEVELOPMENT OF INTEGRATED EDUCATION Fundraiglng continues to underpin all aspects of the IEF'S work as tha Fund Is solely ielianl on the financial contributions and generoslty of its donor8. 2023124 represent8 one of the most successful year8 in terms ol Income generatlon, wSth approxlmately £2 milllon being ralsed to support the growth and development ol Integrated Education. The need for Ihe IEF remains because govornment stlll does not plan effectlvely to meet the demand for Integrated Edue8tlon. Flnanclal support is needed lo enable Ihe IEF to work with parents, local communities and schools wanting lo access Integrated Education, Parents n99d to know how they Can Cfeate an Integaled choice for thelr child and be supported with information and guidance. Communities need to krw how their opinions can be considered when plannlng Is taklng place for education in Iheir local area. Schools need help to explore the benefits of Transformatlon and. for Ihose schools who do begin the journey to Integrated slalus. additional support is needed for engaging the school community as well as mtheting and communicating any changes within thelr local communlty, The IEF also needs to advocate successfully to challenge ongolng s8rJegalion wllhin Ihe educAtion system and for policy change so Ihat one day the need for the Fund will be diminished or even rernoved. Al this work requires financial and waclical support from the IEF. through the generous support of ils donors. The IEF Campaign Council which comprises several of the Fund's key donors and supwrters. conllnues to meet twice per year. Following Ihe passing of the late Baroness May Blood in 2022. Davld Monlg)mery was nomlnaled by Campaign Councn members to seNe as its new Chaw from September 2023. The Council provides invaluable advice and guidance to our fundraising and advocacy campaign. Regular updates are piovided to members by email, video calls, by phone and in person. 16
Integrated Education Fund Company Limited by Guarantee Trustees. Annual Report (Incorporating the Directors, Report) (contlnued) Year endéd 31 March 2024 4.4.1 Planned 0vents During the year the IEF was able to organise and benefit from several fundraising events. The most signifKanl event of the ye was the May Ball on 24 May 2023. The Ball was held to pay tribute to our late champion. Baroness May Blood. who dvioled ov8r 20 years of her Ilfe to helping our furKlraising and advocacy efforts as Campaign Chair. May was an inspiration to all who knew her. More than 300 guests celebrated her Ilfe at the Ball which was altended by her family and friends. Integrated schools and supporters of the IEF. Later in the Autumn. the IEF held further fundraislng events, inGluding the now an[al 'Stand Llp for Integrated Education Comedy Gala, on 19 October at the Ulsler Hall which featured the tslents of Trm McGary, Colin Murphy. Nell Delamere and Conor Keys. as well as an Afternoon Tea, with comedian Wendy Wason hosting, al the Ulster Reform Club on 08 November. The Afternoon Tea featured writer Tara Flynn and broadcaster panla Ballantlne as well as tntrIbUtIOnS from Maire Thompson. Principal ol Hazelwood Inlegraled College and Hilary Copeland from the Integrated AlumNI. 2023 marked the 25h% Anniversary of the signlng of the Good Friday {8elfast) Agreement and thg IEF was involved In a number of slgn6fkanl events surroundlng the Anniversary. On 06 April. we were honoure(I to be hosted by the Secrelary ol Slate for Northern Ireland Chrls Heaton-Harrls and Tanalste Micheai Martin. al W5 B81fast lo celebrate the contribution of Integrated Education to the reconcllialio process. The IEF was also represented at the Queen's Universlty Agernent 25 Conference and Gala Dinner courtesy of Sir Harvey and Lady Allison M¢Grath. On 19 Aprll. Ihe IEF organlsed ovm special screening of Patrick Klelty's documentary My Da, th8 PeaGe Deal and Me al Hazelwood Integrated College which was followed by a panel di8cussion chaired by broadca8ler JIM Fllzpatrlck, Other event hlghlSghts Included the annual Carson AMFrds Showcase held on 26 October at Intewaled College Glengormley whlch featured a selectlon of cre8live wo3 by sltsdents on the Iheme of What Integrated Educatlon Means lo Me.. Our compare for the day was again Jim Fitzpalrick wlth speclal guests Tony and Edna Cars, sponsors of the programme. The House of Lords Supporlers Dinner, also generously sponsored by the Carson family, look place on 04 December with Barry Corr. Principal ol Seaview Integrated Prlmary School as special guest SP6aker and Lord Dubs as our sponsoring Peer. Throughoul the year the band Stiff Liltle Fingers continued Ihelr supporl fof the IEF through concert collectlons and merchandise sales as well as a special quiz organlsed by thelr loyal fans befofe their Cu3loffl House Square conceri in Belfast in Augusl. 4.4.2 N•w prosp•ct dev•lopm•nt The IEF continues lo reach out lo new prospects through personal introductions and enli5tmenl events as well as through desk research. We are Indebted to many of our supporters who contlnue to advocate for our work and help raise awareness of the organlsallon and its need for support. 4.4.3 Exlsting Supporter dgvelopment The IEF benefits from a high levd of support from its existing donor base. Throughout 2023124 the Fundraising and Communlcations Team continued to Ixjlld relationships wllh existlng supporters, and used regular ezines, update reports, phone calls, the Learning Together newsleller. email updates and social media to keep supporters and dorK)rs Informed about key developments. Many dorM)rs continued to be extremely generous in Iheir support of the Fund. The IEF appreciates any support it receives and In all Ils forms. including from the many dIvidUalS who contribute regularly tfough the Ten Club and from Integrated Schools through the 'Odd5 On. fundraising initiative. 17
Integrated Education Fund Company Llmited by Guarantee Trustees. Annual Report (Incorporatlng the Dlrectors, Report) (eonllnu•d) Year ended 31 March 2024 4.44 Other trusts and foundatlon• Developing relationshlps with other trusts and foundations Is a very important part of Ihe Fund's work and this year the IEF was de1hled to be able to SUPPDrt spefiC projects through its work with organisaiions such a5 the Magheramourne Foundation (for Acorn, Central and Millennium Integrated Prlmary Schools}. Ihe Irish American Partnership (for core costs the Llncoln Awardsl. The International Fund for Ireland {Communllles In Partnership Programme. Our Peace Our Future}, the ARN Foundation (Oakwood. Carhill and Rowandale Integrated Prlmary Schods), The Enkalon Foundation (Six Mile Integraled Primary School), the Elghly Elght Foundation (Integrated AlumNI}, and the Ifeland Funds (for many indivldual wojects). A number of other Irusts and foundations have also generously supported the work of the Parental Engagemenl and Integrate My School Campalgn including the Elghty Elght FourKlatSon and the Reconcillatlon Fund of the Irlsh Department of Forelgn Affairs and Trade. Tha Fund also continue8 to work dosely wlth the Pears Foundatlon who provlded a further major contribution to 8UPPOrt Ihe IEF'8 Trugt Progvamrne - this FroaMMe Is 8180 generously 8UPPOrted by Hagan Hornes. The IEF 18 indebted to Sir HaeY and Lady Allison (of the McGralh Trusl) arKI Hagan Homes whos• contlnugd unrestrlcled financial support underpins much of our work. In addition, Hagan Homes have ensured the IEF can run a series ol slgn6fiGant grant prOarnme3 to benefit the grO1h and development ol Inlegrated Education. The suppcrft of the Northern Ireland Office has continued in 2023124 supportlng Transformatlon. the Future Schools Project and the Impact of Growth Pfogramme as well as specific research and attitudinal polling. 4.4.5 Gfft8 In klnd The IEF l¥ thankful to the many people and organisalions who provide support 'ln klnd, indudlng CME Group, who generously donaled laptops and monitors, and Johnstone's Leyland for donats'ons of painl, to Integrated schools. In additlon, there are m8ny examples of individuals who volunt88r. or give their time freely to speak and perfixm at IEF events. There are too many people and organi5ations lo Ilst here but rest assured we we extremely grateful for such support. 4.4.8 Communlcatlons Thanks to the incredibly generous support of the Eighly Eight Foundatlon the IEF was able to undertake major communications Campai from October 2023 to February 2024 which featured TV, Radéo, Outdoor, Onllne and Cinema advertising. The campaign was a great success with an estimated 85% of the Northern Ireland popul81ion having viewed or Ilstened to the ad. The Fund's social media plaOrmS conlirne to be important channels of communlcation. Over 7,000 individuals and organisalions follow the IEFS Facebook page and XThwllter feed, both of which are updated regularly. The IEF continues to work with many media organisations and is grateftjl for the extensiv6 covera secured t1ughout the year.
Integrated Educatlon Fund Company Llmlted by Guarantee Trustses. Annual Report {Incorporating the Directors, Report) {contlnu•d) Yearended 31 March 2024 FINANCIAL REVIEW 5.1 PRINCIPAL FUNDING SOURCES The Integrated Education Fund continues to work from Its capltal base which is supported by its major grft fundraising campaign, {receivlng donations from individuals. businesses and other trusts and foundations), and Investment income. The Fund also benefits from Ihe fundraising team's income generatin9 events. In addition. the Fund acts as an intermedlsry body to administer grants and donations on behalf of other (xjtside fundlng bodies and individuals. Total income In 2023124 was £1.982.681 compared with £1.648,362 in the prevlous year. Total expenditure was £1,864,912 compared with £1.245.123 ¢n the previous year. Charitable activities arxounted for 89Yo of all expenditure. and the cost of generaling funds accounled for 110A (in 2022123 the eomparailve figures were 870/0, and 13%). Thls year, after recognised gains and losses were considered and tr8nsfers between funds hgd taken place, there was a net Income of £144,510 Compared to a net Income of £373.417 In the previous year. The net income18 made up of £203,679 in unrestrlcted funds arKI net expenditure of £59,169 In reslrlcled funds. 5.2 INVESTMENT POWERS AND POLICY Under the Memorandum and Artlcles of Association, the charity has the power to Invest in whatever ways the Director5 think approprlate. The Directors, having regard to the Ilquldily requirements of the current grant making programmes, the financial requirements of potentlal independent schools and to tha reserves policy. have detemiined that available funds ara k8Pt in interest bearing deposit accounts, spreadlng the rlsk across a number of banks. Durlng 2023124, IEF fuTrJs were deposited wllh Bank of Ireland. Danske Bank. Progressive Bulkllng Society, and Ulster Bank. The level of funds held as current asset inveslfflenls and cash in these banks 18 £2.214 m41ion in lolal {£1.806 mllllon in the pi6vlous year), which will be reduced when oulstanding commltments are paid out during 2024125, In addllion. sknce 2013114 the IEF has had funds Invested In the Northem Ireland Central Invesiment Fund for Charities (NICIFC) wrlh the aim of securing a batter return than that offered by fixed term deposit accounts. NICIFC is administered by the Department for Cornmunitles and is dassified in the IEF accounts as an inv88tment. The IEF'S day to day banking b conducled Ihrough the Ulster Bank. S.3 RESERVES POLICY &3.1 Unr¢strl¢ted reserve8 At the end of March 2024 the IEF had £1.588.573 In unrestrKted reserves (£1.384,894 in the prevlous year) (see Note 28). Key Principles It is the aim of the IEF to match unrestricted expenditure with unrestricted income on an annual basis. Unreslrlcle(l expenditure Includes budgeted core costs and unrestricted antS expenditure. If expendSture is higher than income Ihe IEF Board need to be advised and agree any deficit which would come from unrestricled reseNes. If expenditure is lower than income the IEF Board need to be 19
Integrated Educatlon Fund Company Llmlted by Guarantee Trustses, Annual Report (Incorporatlng the Directors, Roport) (conthwed) Year ended 31 March 2024 5.3.1 Unro•trlct•d reserves (condnuvd) advised and agree what should be done wllh the surplus l.e. plan to spend It In the next year or slmply add it lo urwestrlcted reserves. Dwing Ihè year any addilknnal exper¥Jilure nol included in budgets and that needs lo be funded by unrestrtcled reseNes should be agreed by the Board. The unrestrlcled reserves should be sufficient to cover at least one and a half years, of IEF runnkng costs. want making and polenllal flucluations In unreslrlcted donations. Currently that Is approximatety £1rn, unless a significant funding stream stops. Proleclions regarding the utllisation of unrestricted reserrfes, based on estimates of ineome and expendilure lor Ihe current financlal year and following two years, are brought to the Risk Management Committee every slx months for discUssn, and then to the subsequent Board of Directors meeting as part of forward financd planning. 6.3.2 Rè8trkt•d funds At the end of March 2024, the balance of restrlcted reserves was £715,394 (£774.583 in the prevlous year). This balance will fluctuate during the coming year as other reslricl8d donations are received andlor as funds are used In accordance wlth the donors, wlshes and IEF grant making polky. K•y Prln¢lpl•8 Restrlcled furKls should b8 used for the purpose the donors have specllled. The reservas pollcy Is reviewed by the Rlsk Managemanl Committee on an annual basls (after Ihe presentation of the accounts) and recommendatlons are made to the Board as necessary. 5.3.3 Total fund* The tot81 fund8 held by the charlty at 31 March 2024 was £2,303,967 (2023: £2,159,457). Total unreslricled funds exduding tanglble fixed asseis carrled forbv¥d al 31 March 2024 was £1 ,578.928 (2023., £1,375,535). 5.4 GRANT MAKING POWERS AND POUCY The Board of Directors has delegated ptrwers to a Grants Commltiee to carry oui the IEF'S Grant Making Policy whlch indudes: To ensure that the grant maklng process Is falr and equltable al all tirnes and to establish and agree crtteria for grant programmes. To ensure that grants meet th8 ternis and obieclives of the original funders. To uphold the pUtatIOn of the Fund as a grant making organisation that is dearty focused, falr, accountable and Consislent. To be the link beeen the schools (anteeS} and the Board {granlors). To consider in detail applicatlons to Ihe IEF for funding and lo rnake recommendations to Ihe full IEF Board. The Board ultimately has executive power over grant allocations. the Granis Committe8 has execulive power at an operational level for anomalies arlsing wrthin exisling live grants. To ensure on-going financlal and operational monltorlng of programmes. measuring the outcomes of projects again5151ated airn5 and objeclives iv. vi.
Integrated Education Fund Company Limited by Guarantee Trustees. Annual Report (Incorporating the Dlrnctors, Report) IntInued} Yearended 31 March 2024 5.5 NEW FINANCIAL SOFfwARE SYSTEM Following a perlod of testlng, Liberty Accounts was implemented in April 2023 and a period of parallel running with the manual system took place until October 2023 when the IEF'S new auditors carried out a qualty assurance audil on both the system setup and its data integrlly. The audilors provided the IEF wlth a positive qualty assurance management report on Llberty stating that they were pleased with the IEF'S progress to dale with the new accounling software and. subject to some minor adjustments. they considered the system lo be worklng effectively. On the back of that assurance Ihe Risk Managelnent Commlltee recommended that the IEF stop running the Excel and Liberty systems In parallel and the dual runnin9 slopped at the end of November 2023. The financial statements for Ihls year ending 31 March 2024 have been calculaled uslng the figure8 supplted by the new accounling software. 5.8 SIGNIFICANT EVENTS THAT HAVE AFFECTED FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE The IEF secured NIO funding of £1.485m In 2022123 over Iwo and a half financlal years, of whlch £540k was recelved Into reslrlct8d fuTrJs In 2023124 to 8UPPOrt the IEF work on three key objectives: Ihe growth of Twansforrnalion, Future Schools and Rpsearch, Fundlng from Hagan Homes has provlded slgnlllcant support for a number of grant programmes and fundlng from the Irish Department of FoTelgn Affalrs and Trade Reconclliatton Fund has helped the IEF'S Parental Engagement leam lo support the number of schools seeking to transforni to Inlegraled stalus. PLANS FOR FUTURE PERIODS In June 2022, the IEF launched lis Strateglc Wslon 2022-2025.. Towards 100 Integrated Schools. The IEF wlll now be moving inlo the fin81 year of implementation. In 2024125 year we wlll also be saying farewell to our Chief Executlve, Tina Merron, who will be retiring after 26 years of dedlcaled service, and welcoming Paul Caskgy into the role. Paul has worked a8 the IEF'S Head of Campalgn slnce 2000. The strategy has four key focus areas: F*st. lo empower communitles to access an Integrated Educatlon.. Thls Incorporales the IEF'3 Innovatlve Inlegrate My School campaign led by the IEF'S dedicated Engaggmenl Team who will work wlth interested panIs, schools and Ihe widef communlty. There are currently 71 approved Integrated schools in Northem Ireland but there are also a further 11 schools (8 in thls financlal year) who have held posltlve pafental ballots to transforrn to Integrated slatus - 6 havé already submltled their Development Proposal to the Education Minister and are awaiting a decislon on their fulure. One more parental ballot is planned before the end of the academic year 2023124, wlh further ballots planned in the forthcoming financial year 2024125. There are also plans to establish the firsl ever Integraled school operating in the Irish language. The IEF wlll seek to build on its firsl ever maior advertising, marketing and promolional campaign aimed al parents, prospectsve parents, schools, young people and local communities. The IEF will contlnue lo organise information events for school leaders and govemors working in partrwship with NICIE. Thls key focus area will also include the Fulure Schools Project to encourage local rnmmunlties to engage with area planning of education to ensure more sustainable school solutions for the future. The IEF will continue to work wlth other education stakeholders lo disseminate, promote and utilise the new 'Future Schools Tool-kil., a pathway resource developed by U15ter Unlversity. 21
Integrated Education Fund Company Limited by Guarantee Trustees, Annual Report (Incorporating the Dlrectors, Report) (condnu• Year énded 31 March 2024 PLAN5 FOR FUTURE PERIODS (witlnu•dJ Second, supporting the growth of Integrated Educatlon through grant making: The IEF will continue to assist the growAh of Integrated Educalion by supporting existing Intewated schools. the Translomiallon of schools to Integrated status. cross sector solUt)n$ for schools as well as new parents, groups who want Integrated Education. The IEF wdl provlde Transformation Support Gfants, Impact of Growth Grants, New Model Support Grants and grants to new Par8nts' Groups. The alm is to support growth in existing Integrated 5chool8, SUPPQrt sCtblS proessIng through Ihe Transformation process and assisl any prq)osed single school solutions on a cross-community basis. Thlrd, challenging the segregated nature of our educatlon system.. The IEF Is Wofking towards the day when It Is no longer needed. That will only happen when Integrated Education is adequately planned for by govemment and when parenlal damand for It Is belng met. To lying this day closer we need to contlnually work with policy fflakers. influencers. polltlclans and government. If necessary, we will conllnue lo use slraleglc Iltlgatlon to ensure leglslatlve commllments to Integrated E(lucation are Implemented In full. The IEF wlll also contlnue to undertake major Northern Ireland wlde attltudlnal surveys, micro polling and other market research whi161 aso wwking with academic partners such as Ulster Unlversily and Queen's Unlversity Belfast to wovide an effective evldence base on Issues relating lo Integrated Educallon. Thls key focus area also Indudes supportlng the development of the Integated AlumNI arKI engagement with young people. The voic8s of young people must be listened to given thal they have had the most recent experlence of our educatlon system. Young people can be Important advocates for how sthools can deliver a more induslve educotion. Fourth. 5UPPOrting schools to delNèr 'lntegration in Actlon,: An Integrated ethos does not develop by slmply having a religk)us and cultural mlx of pupils in a school. Schools need to regularly think about how they deliver Integralion Irb both pollcy and practice. They need to ensure 811 pupls, staff and governor8 feel welcome, and that thelr Identity Is celebrated, irrespectlve of their cultural or wellglous background. The IEF wlll assisl this through Its Trusl Programme whlch supports activities thal encourage schools lo develop and enhance their Integrated ethos. It wlll also continue to organlse the Carson Awards lo celebrate the creative tslents of young people. Th8 Integratlon TOugh Sport Programme win help Inlroduce new sports to a school in order to provide opportunities for pupils to experience spcrts nOMllY assoclated with just one cultural tradition in Northem Ireland. Along with deliverlng the above straiegy, we wlll contlnue to pre55 for full Implementation of the Integrated Educatlon Act. It is viial Ihal a falr and effecllve way of measurfng demand for Inteated Education is agreed upon and thal government actlon follows to meet such demand. This would represent a major step foThvard in term8 of Ihe growih and development of Inlegrated Education. Likewise, recommendations from the Independent Review of Educatlon Ihal alm lo address Ihe failures of effectNa area plannlng for schools, the need for more cross sector solutions and the desire lo expand Integrated Education can also not be ignored. None of these plans can be achieved without Ihe generosiiy and SUPPOTt of so many individuals and organisations. The IEF1s forever wateful to am Ihose who help us in so many ways. 22
Integrated Education Fund Company Limited by Guarant•e Trustses, Annual Report (Incorporatong the Directors, Report) (contln4Md) Yearended 31 March 2024 TRUSTEES. RESPONSBILITIES STATEMENT The Iruste8s (who are also directors ol the Integrated Education Fund) ar8 responsible for preparing the trustees, report and the financial sialements In accordance with applicable law and United Kingjom Accounting Standards (Unlted Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Praclice). Company law requires the charity trustees to prepare Ilnancial statements for each financial year, which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company and of the income and expenditure of Ihe charrtable company for that period. In preparing these financial statements. the truslees are requlied to: select suitable accounting pollcles and Ihen apply them consistently., observ6 the methods and principles In the Charitiès SORP 2019 {FRS 102); make judgments and accounting estimates that are r8asonable and prudent. state whether applicable UK Accountlng Standards hav8 b8en followed, subject to any material departures dlsdosed and explained in the financial statemenls., and prepare the financial slatements on Ihe going concern basls unles8 it is Inapproprlate lo presume Ihat the charllable company wlll continue in 0ratIon. The Iruslees are responsible for keeplng adequate accounling records that disclose with reasonable accuracy al any tome the ftnancial position of the charitable company and enable them to ensure Ihat the financial stalements comply with the Companie5 Act 21N)6. The trustees are also responslble for safeguarding the assets of Ihe charitable company arttl hence for taking reasonable steps for the preventlon and detectlon of fraud arKI other irregularitles. Dlsclo8ure of Inforniatlon to audllors We, the trustees of the charitable company who held office 81 the date of approval of these Flnancial Stal8ment8 as set oul above each confirm, so far as we are aware, thal.. there is no relevant audlt Information of whlch the charitablo MpanY'S auditors are unaware.. and we have tak8n all Steps that we ought lo have taken as direclor8 in order lo make ourselves aware of any relevanl audit information and to eslabllsh that the charitable company's auditors are aware of Ihat Information. The trustees a responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the corporate and financlal information included on the Charitable company's webslte. Legislation in the United Kingdorn governing the preparation and dissemination of financial statements may dlffer from legIallOn In other juflsdlcltons. Small ¢ompanles' exernptlon This report has been prepared in accordance wlth thé spacial provisions relating lo small companies withSn Part 15 of the Companies Act 2006. r of the Board "PAth oQknLe Peter Osborne Chair, Integrated Education Fund 21 August 2024 23