---
title: "New research exposes religious bias in Northern Ireland school admissions"
date: "2026-08-12T11:54:10+01:00"
modified: "2026-08-12T12:00:45+01:00"
url: "https://humanists.uk/2026/08/12/new-research-exposes-religious-bias-in-northern-ireland-school-admissions/"
post_id: 195952
categories: ["News", "Northern Ireland"]
---

# New research exposes religious bias in Northern Ireland school admissions

![](https://i0.wp.com/humanists.uk/wp-content/uploads/20260806-160904-School2.png?resize=1200%2C628&ssl=1)[New research](https://www.ief.org.uk/our-work/research/school-selection-do-parents-really-have-a-choice/) into parental choice in Northern Ireland has raised concerns from Northern Ireland Humanists about how some integrated schools categorise pupils by religious background, including the treatment of non-religious children within the traditional Protestant–Catholic divide.

The report, [*School Selection: Do Parents Really Have a Choice?*](https://view.publitas.com/integrated-education-fund/school-selection-do-parents-really-have-a-choice/page/1), which has been published by the [Integrated Education Fund](https://www.ief.org.uk/), found that a person’s religion was often raised in interviews with parents about school admissions. Parents described feeling pressured to identify themselves or their children as Protestant or Catholic even where neither label reflected their beliefs. The report warns that this can produce misleading data about the religious makeup of schools and communities, while failing to reflect the growing number of people in Northern Ireland who are non-religious or do not fit into traditional denominational categories.

The issue is particularly significant for integrated schools that seek to maintain a religious balance between Protestant, Catholic, and ‘other’ pupils. In practice, this can mean non-religious children are grouped into an ‘other’ category within a system still structured around Protestant or Catholic labels.

Northern Ireland Humanists has long argued that education policy should reflect Northern Ireland’s increasingly diverse population, including the substantial and growing number of people who have no religion. This new research adds to concerns that official definitions and admissions practices have failed to keep pace with social change. Northern Ireland Humanists has previously [called](https://humanists.uk/2026/06/09/bangor-schools-ruling-highlights-flaws-in-northern-irelands-integrated-education-system/) on the Northern Ireland Council for Integrated Education to update its statement of principles, including its approach to the traditional 40/40/20 balance between Protestant, Catholic, and other or non-religious pupils.

**Commenting on the research, Northern Ireland Humanists Coordinator Boyd Sleator said:**

> ‘Families who are not Protestant or Catholic should not be forced into religious boxes simply to navigate the school admissions system.
> 
> ‘Northern Ireland has changed enormously, but too much of its education system still treats the old Orange and Green identities as the default. That does not reflect the lives or beliefs of growing numbers of people.
> 
> ‘Divided schools mean a divided society. The only real solution is a single inclusive and secular education system, where children of all religions and beliefs, including those with no religion, learn together. That is what our politicians should be working towards.’

#### 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 more about our work on [schools and education](https://humanists.uk/campaigns-old/schools-and-education/).

Read the Integrated Education Fund [report](https://view.publitas.com/integrated-education-fund/school-selection-do-parents-really-have-a-choice/page/1) and [story](https://www.ief.org.uk/our-work/research/school-selection-do-parents-really-have-a-choice/).

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.