---
title: "Bangor schools ruling highlights flaws in Northern Ireland’s integrated education system"
date: "2026-06-09T15:27:40+01:00"
modified: "2026-06-09T15:27:45+01:00"
url: "https://humanists.uk/2026/06/09/bangor-schools-ruling-highlights-flaws-in-northern-irelands-integrated-education-system/"
post_id: 191891
categories: ["Northern Ireland"]
---

# Bangor schools ruling highlights flaws in Northern Ireland’s integrated education system

![](https://i0.wp.com/humanists.uk/wp-content/uploads/school-3.png?resize=1200%2C628&ssl=1)The Northern Ireland Court of Appeal has [dismissed an appeal](https://humanists.uk/wp-content/uploads/Summary-of-Judgment-In-re-JR335-and-336-CA.pdf) against the Education Minister’s refusal to approve proposals for Rathmore Primary School and Bangor Academy and Sixth Form College to transform to integrated status. Responding to the judgment, Northern Ireland Humanists said the ruling highlighted significant flaws in the integrated education system.

The case concerned proposals by both schools to become integrated, following parental ballots in which large majorities supported transformation. At Rathmore Primary School, 82.3% of voting parents backed the proposal, while at Bangor Academy, 79.4% voted in favour. Both proposals were supported by the Education Authority, and departmental officials had recommended approval.

Despite this, the Minister [refused both applications in January 2025](https://humanists.uk/2025/01/08/education-minister-refuses-to-let-schools-become-integrated-defying-80-parent-support/), concluding that the schools did not meet, and were unlikely to meet, the statutory requirement to provide ‘reasonable numbers’ of both Protestant and Catholic pupils. Although parents challenged this decision in court, the Minister’s decision was [supported by the judge](https://humanists.uk/2025/10/15/judge-rules-against-ni-schools-becoming-integrated/). This was then taken to the Northern Ireland Court of Appeal.

The Court concluded that the Minister’s decisions were rational and lawful, and that the grounds of challenge did not disclose an arguable case with a realistic prospect of success. It noted that while the Department has a duty to ‘encourage, facilitate and support’ integrated education, the law also prevents approval of a transformation proposal unless the Department is satisfied that the school would be likely to provide integrated education as legally defined.

Recently the Department of Education released a [report](https://www.education-ni.gov.uk/sites/default/files/2026-05/Integrated%20Education%20Demand%20%20Evidence%20Insights%20and%20Limitations%20May%202026.PDF) on integrated education which concluded that the demand for integrated education was ‘present but uneven’. In response, Northern Ireland Humanists said the report [risked understating the need for reform](https://humanists.uk/2026/05/21/integrated-education-report-understates-need-for-end-to-divided-schooling/) by placing too much weight on a narrow measure of parental demand.

#### **Commenting on the ruling, Northern Ireland Humanists Coordinator Boyd Sleator said**

> This judgment underlines a real problem in the law on integrated education. Parents at both schools voted overwhelmingly for change, yet the legal framework allowed those proposals to be blocked. The fact that schools can win overwhelming support from parents to become integrated and still face such barriers shows how badly reform is needed.
> 
> The Department should now work constructively with these school communities to ensure that any future proposals have the strongest possible chance of success. The Northern Ireland Council for Integrated Education must update their statement of principles on the 40/40/20 split.But the Assembly must also consider whether the law is doing enough to support parents who want their children educated together.

#### Notes

For further comment or information, media should contact Northern Ireland Humanists Coordinator Boyd Sleator at <boyd@humanists.uk> or phone 07918 975795.

Read more about our work in [Northern Ireland](https://humanists.uk/northern-ireland/).

[Read the judgment](https://humanists.uk/wp-content/uploads/Summary-of-Judgment-In-re-JR335-and-336-CA.pdf).

Northern Ireland Humanists is part of Humanists UK, working with the Humanist Association of Ireland. Humanists UK is the national charity working on behalf of non-religious people. Powered by over 150,000 members and supporters, we advance free thinking and promote humanism to create a tolerant society where rational thinking and kindness prevail. We provide ceremonies, pastoral care, education, and support services benefitting over a million people every year and our campaigns advance humanist thinking on ethical issues, human rights, and equal treatment for all.