Hazelwood College

We visit Hazelwood
The Hazelwood Integrated Primary School in Belfast opened their doors to delegates of the Ireland Funds during The Ireland Funds' Worldwide Conference in June 2004.

Students, parents and faculty eagerly toured us around the school followed by a lovely reception where members of The Ireland Funds were able to gain first hand knowledge of the 2nd post-primary integrated school in Northern Ireland. Following the reception, the students treated everyone to a fantastic variety show in which each member of the school community participated. An afternoon full of laughter, it was an incredible opportunity for the delegates to see how their continued support makes a difference.

Hazelwood College is a Grant Maintained Integrated School, an all-ability co-educational college for post primary children aged 11 to 18.

History
Hazelwood College was the second post-primary integrated school to be established in Northern Ireland. There are now 15 such schools. Founded in 1985 by a group of Protestant and Catholic parents from North Belfast and funded originally by the major charities including BELTIE (Belfast Educational Trust for Integrated Education) and the fund-raising efforts of parents, we are now in our 14th year. We have a student enrolment of 700 students. Hazelwood College opened in temporary premises on 1st September 1985. In September 1986 we moved to our permanent premises in Gray's Lane.

Ethos
Hazelwood College uses a child-centred approach to learning. This involves presenting the child with a wide range of ways of looking at the world, each with its own methods, terminology, methods of research and presentation. In order to achieve our aims in intellectual and in personal development, we have deliberately sought to foster an atmosphere based on trust, openness, honesty, justice and cooperation. We encourage all participants in the educational process students, parents, teachers and governors to be aware of their importance in contributing to and maintaining this ethos. Classes in the Junior School are all ability. The maximum class size is 25 with classes being sub-divided to create smaller groups in practical subjects.

The Principles on which the College are Founded
The College should give equal status to the two major cultures in Northern Ireland. The balance between Catholic and Protestant children should ideally be 50%-50%, but every effort should be made to keep within a 60%-40% band. Teachers should also be similarly balanced between the two major traditions. The school should educate and cherish all children of Protestant, Catholic, other faiths and none together on a footing of equality. The school should be Christian rather than secular in character. Religious instruction should be provided according to the wishes of parents. To ensure that the children are properly instructed, practical arrangements should be made with clergy of all faiths. Parents have the primary responsibility for the education and welfare of their children and this should involve them in the planning and content of the education of their children.

Educational Background
In Northern Ireland education is segregated by religion and by class. Children either attend schools which are Catholic, or State schools which are predominantly Protestant. Many schools are single sex. At the age of eleven children take an examination (known as the "11 plus") which determines whether they go to grammar school or secondary school. The selective system is penalising most children in North Belfast.

Just over a decade ago a growing number of ordinary parents, unhappy at the segregated education provided for their children, joined forces with sympathetic teachers to initiate what became known as the Integrated Education movement. Initially operating with minimal resources and often without allies, this movement persevered and is today a leading force, not only within education, but within the debate which seeks to guide Northern Ireland to a more pluralist future. Hazelwood Integrated College is proud of the pioneering role it played, and continues to play, within this movement, a movement which has led to the creation of integrated schools throughout Northern Ireland.

Photo Index

1-3. Hazelwood College welcomes The Ireland Funds

4-8. Students enthusiastically show delegates their college

9-10. The college brass band strikes the right chord!

11-12. Children from Hazelwood sing for the delegates!

13-16. The children stage a play. Note the integration of the different Flag colors on the actors' costumes!