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Category: Stranmillis News

Design your own ‘active’ breaktime!

Posted on by Andrew McAteer

Fort Hill Integrated Primary School pupils work with BSc Physical Education and Sport students as part of ‘Active Schools’ pilot.

On Thursday 3 April, P6 pupils from Fort Hill Integrated Primary School were invited to Stranmillis University College for an event which involved the children designing and practicing their own breaktime games, under the guidance of final year students enrolled on the BSc PE & Sport degree. The P6 children were also asked to draw a picture illustrating their favourite activity which they created and would like to do in their school playground during breaktime.

Their wonderful ideas included agility ladders, obstacle courses, cheerleading and target games.

This creative and practical consultation with pupils is part of the Active Schools model designed by Dr Melanie McKee, a senior lecturer from Stranmillis University College, which is currently being piloted in collaboration with Simon Patterson, the principal of Fort Hill Integrated Primary School.
The pilot was launched January 2024 by Lady Mary Peters, and then followed by an update presentation in November 2024 which was attended by the Education Minister Mr Paul Givan MLA, Lady Mary Peters and Lord Mayor of Lisburn Mr Kurtis Dickson.

The aim of the Active Schools pilot is to assist with advocating for a strategic and sustainable, cross-departmental investment in an Active Schools programme for schools in Northern Ireland.

The idea of an Active School is that it values, promotes and develops every child’s physical literacy by creating a physically active school community. Hence, it will provide multiple opportunities to increase physical activity and develop physical literacy, for example, through active travel to/from school, active breaktimes, active play, active classrooms, active PE, active after-school clubs and active home learning.

Speaking about the event, which was organised in partnership with the University College’s Widening Participation programme, Dr Melanie McKee said “The children’s voice is central to the development and implementation of the model to ensure they participate in the decision-making, so it was great to have the P6 children on campus working with our final year students.  A big thank you to the final year BSc students, P6 teacher Miss Hawthorne and teaching assistant Miss Best  from Fort Hill Integrated Primary School, and Mrs Danielle Armstrong from the College’s Widening Participation and Community Engagement Team for all their help with this consultation.”

 

Queen’s and Stranmillis renew century-long partnership to enhance education in Northern Ireland

Posted on by Andrew McAteer

Queen’s University Belfast and Stranmillis University College have officially renewed their long-standing academic partnership, reaffirming a collaboration that is set to strengthen the education ecosystem in Northern Ireland.

Stranmillis, which delivers a range of education focused degree programmes, has had an academic relationship with Queen’s for over 100 years, and has been providing taught courses leading to degrees and other awards of Queen’s since it became a Recognised College of the University in 1968.

The updated Partnership Agreement between the two institutions strengthens and enhances their shared strategic vision centred on excellence—whether through delivering a comprehensive student experience, world-class teaching and research, or making a positive impact on society. This partnership will foster increased collaboration in both academic and extracurricular activities, enhancing Northern Ireland’s educational environment as a whole.

150 attendees from across the two institutions, students, education partners, community leaders and political leaders attended a special event at Stranmillis today (Monday 3 March), to celebrate the renewed partnership.

Queen’s President and Vice Chancellor, Professor Sir Ian Greer, said:

“Today we celebrate and reflect on the strong and enduring partnership between Queen’s University Belfast and Stranmillis University College—a partnership built on shared values, a commitment to excellence, and a vision for education that reaches beyond our two institutions.

“Ultimately, this partnership is a reflection of a spirit of collaboration—a belief that by working together, we can achieve more for our students, our communities, and the future of education. As we look ahead, we remain committed to deepening this collaboration, finding new ways to support our students and staff, and ensuring that excellence, innovation, and partnership remain the cornerstones of our relationship.”

Stranmillis CEO and Principal, Professor Jonathan Heggarty, said:

We are excited to be signing a new Partnership Agreement with Queen’s University Belfast today. For over 100 years, our two institutions have worked side by side, collaborating on and contributing to education locally and globally; building strong reputations for excellence in teaching and learning, innovative research, quality student support, and nurturing future leaders. This new agreement renews our shared commitment to excellence and will enabls us to leverage our strengths to address today’s challenges and seize tomorrow’s opportunities. A key focus for both institutions is student success. Through joint research, new study programs, and outstanding student services, this agreement ensures our students will benefit from our strengthened partnership.

Successful partnerships create space for each partner to contribute their unique strengths toward common goals. This agreement will help Stranmillis and Queen’s advance our shared vision for the future of education in Northern Ireland, focusing on academic excellence, fostering an environment of inclusion and opportunity, and ensuring our students have an outstanding learning experience.

Speaking about the importance of the partnership to students, Joanna McCombe, a Year 2 Post-primary student at Stranmillis, said:

“Studying at Stranmillis offers me the best of both worlds. Being affiliated with Queen’s means I benefit from world-class resources and amenities, including the McClay Library, state-of-the-art sports facilities at Queen’s PEC, and a vibrant student life filled with clubs, societies, and social activities. Plus, I’m earning a degree from a prestigious Russell Group university which is globally recognised and opens doors to a world of opportunities.

“At the same time, Stranmillis provides a small, tight-knit community where everyone, students and staff, knows and supports each other. We share a genuine passion and commitment to improving the lives and futures of children and young people through education.”

Prof Tony Gallagher and Minister for the Economy feature at the 2nd Annual Dr Éamon Phoenix Memorial Lecture

Posted on by Andrew McAteer

On Wednesday 29 January, Stranmillis University College hosted the second Dr Éamon Phoenix Memorial Lecture. Established in 2023 in memory of Dr Éamon Phoenix – renowned historian and a fondly remembered colleague who served as a Principal Lecturer and Head of Lifelong Learning at Stranmillis University College – the annual lecture invites educators, researchers, students and professionals to engage in discussions on contemporary educational.

The speakers for this, the 2nd Memorial Lecture, were the outgoing Minister for the Economy, Conor Murphy MLA, with the memorial lecture delivered by Prof. Tony Gallagher, Professor Emeritus and Honorary Professor of Education at Queen’s University Belfast.
At the inaugural lecture last year, U.S. Special Envoy for Economic Affairs, Joe Kennedy III, stressed the importance and impact a world class education system has on economic prosperity, a theme strongly echoed by Minister Murphy in his ministerial address, as he focused on the importance of high quality teaching and learning in building an inclusive, robust and prosperous economy and society.

Entitled ‘Diversity in Schools: Past, Present… and Future’, Prof. Gallagher’s keynote speech drew on Dr Phoenix’s work, examining some of the historical and current debates on the structure of the school system in Northern Ireland and offering some thoughts on the way the issue of diversity might be addressed through education in future.

The event concluded with an update on the establishment of the Éamon Phoenix Foundation by Mrs Alice Phoenix. A particular highlight was the video footage of Dr Phoenix’s recounting of the story of “The Penal Times and Belle Steele”, one of the many archive videos available on the Foundation’s website.

Commenting, Prof. Jonathan Heggarty, Principal and CEO of Stranmillis University College, said: “I would like to thank Minister Conor Murphy MLA and Prof Tony Gallagher for their insightful and thought-provoking contributions to the 2nd Dr Éamon Phoenix Memorial Lecture. It is vital that we continue to explore how we can best learn lessons from the past to ensure that we have an education system, now and in the future, which allows all learners to reach their potential. Dr Phoenix embodied an exceptional ability to make even complex and difficult to understand ideas accessible and engaging for all. We were therefore delighted that Minister Murphy and Professor Gallagher agreed to be our speakers at this year’s event, a further acknowledgement of the contribution Dr Phoenix made to Stranmillis, to education, to the wider Northern Ireland society and beyond.”

Major review of early years workforce policy across UK’s ‘four nations’ launched

Posted on by Andrew McAteer

Stranmillis University College’s Head of Early Years Education and Doctoral Studies, Dr Glenda Walsh, will be leading the Northern Ireland element of a major national study comparing early years workforce policies across the four UK nations and to share solutions to current challenges.

Funded by the Nuffield Foundation, the study, led by Professor Dame Cathy Nutbrown for sector body Early Education, will also identify key areas for policy shift from across the UK and a selection of international examples. 

Professor Nutbrown, President of Early Education, said: “Our project is an important and timely opportunity to bring together expertise from all four nations of the UK.   We hope, through collaboration, to understand the most useful elements of policy around working conditions, remuneration, qualifications, recruitment, retention, expectations, professionalism and responsibilities of those who work in early childhood education and care. I’m delighted to be working with so many experts who are steeped in knowledge about the workforce in their own nations. We look forward to bringing together recommendations for future policy which will benefit young children and those who work with them across the UK as a whole.” 

Dr Glenda Walsh, Co-Investigator for Northern Ireland, said; “Since the reinstatement of the Stormont government in February 2024, early childhood education and care, or what policymakers in Northern Ireland refer to as ‘childcare’, has taken centre stage in the political agenda. Notably, ‘childcare’ is now a standalone priority in the Programme for Government. However, despite the broad political consensus on the importance of early childhood services, workforce issues have largely been overlooked, and a comprehensive workforce policy remains a distant prospect. This research is therefore both timely and essential.” 

Professor Aline-Wendy Dunlop, Co-Investigator for Scotland, said; “Since a major review of the Early Learning and Childcare (ELC) sector in Scotland there have been a number of policy initiatives affecting the Scottish ELC workforce.  The many issues for Scotland include recruitment, pay and conditions, retention, new graduate leadership requirements, fewer nursery teachers, the expanded entitlement for children and families and new inspection protocols, with improved wellbeing for all remaining an essential goal.” 

Dr Glenda Tinney, Co-Investigator for Wales, said; “In Wales, this will be a significant opportunity to hear viewpoints from the Welsh early years context, at a time when workforce policy is a key government focus through the Strategic Education Workforce Plan.  The four nations and international focus make this study a unique opportunity to compare and contrast the issues in Wales within a broader framework. It is also an excellent opportunity to share expertise and learn from each other.” 

Professor Verity Campbell-Barr, Co-Investigator for England, said; “The phrase ‘in crisis’ is frequently used when referring to the early years workforce in England, and we cannot hide from the fact that there are significant challenges in the sector, particularly in regard to recruitment and retention. The long history of fluctuating policy commitments around professionalisation and training, has left a confusing array of workforce requirements. However, England’s own policy trajectory demonstrates that there have been times when there was a clearer direction of travel for the workforce, and the opportunity to learn from our closest neighbours offers real opportunity for a coherent early years workforce strategy going forwards.” 

Early Education Chief Executive, Beatrice Merrick said; “The status of education as a devolved matter within the UK gives us huge opportunities for learning from one another.  As a UK-wide membership body, Early Education is ideally placed to campaign on the shared challenges our members experience and develop our understanding of how well different policy approaches tackle the underlying issues.  Our members can also tell us how policies translate into practice, and the unintended consequences, positive or negative, that they may have.  We are grateful to the Nuffield Foundation for the funding to undertake this important piece of work, and look forward to illuminating dialogues with a wide range of stakeholders, including policy makers, over the coming months.” 

The project will run from January to November 2025, and Dr Walsh’s team will also include Stranmillis lecturer Dr Suzanne McCartney.    

More information about the study can be found at: https://early-education.org.uk/early-years-workforce-policy-in-the-four-uk-nations-a-comparative-analysis/ 

New Year number confidence workshops across Northern Ireland

Posted on by Andrew McAteer

Do you struggle with maths?

You’re not alone.  Whether it’s managing your budget, calculating discounts, or helping your child with their maths homework, everyday maths can be tricky, but a new initiative from Stranmillis University College is here to help! 

From January to March this year, we are working with a wide range of schools and community groups to deliver workshops across Northern Ireland to give you the number confidence you need!  

The courses of three workshops are completely free, informal, and fun! A free resource pack and refreshments will also be provided on the course. 

To find out more about the workshops and find a provider nearest to you, visit https://www.stran.ac.uk/multiply/  

The project is funded by the UK Government and Department for the Economy’s Multiply programme.  

 

Active Schools Pilot Update

Posted on by Andrew McAteer

Education Minister, Lady Mary Peters & Lord Mayor Attend Active Schools Pilot Update

Following the launch of Stranmillis University College’s Active Schools Pilot in January, the Education Minister Mr Paul Givan MLA, Lady Mary Peters and Lord Mayor of Lisburn Mr Kurtis Dickson attended an update presentation on Wednesday 28th November 2024.

The Active Schools model designed by Dr Melanie McKee, a senior lecturer from Stranmillis University College, is being piloted in collaboration with Simon Patterson, the principal of Fort Hill Integrated Primary School. The aim of the Active Schools pilot is to assist with advocating for a strategic and sustainable, cross-departmental investment in an Active Schools programme for schools in Northern Ireland. An Active School values, promotes and develops every child’s physical literacy by creating a physically educated and physically active school community. Hence, it will provide multiple opportunities to increase physical activity and develop physical literacy, for example, through active travel to/from school, active breaktimes, active play, active classrooms, PE, after-school clubs and active home learning.

The update presentation, which was hosted at Fort Hill Integrated Primary School was also celebrated and attended by Professor Patricia Eaton (Stranmillis University College); Emmett McCann (Department of Education); alongside Eileen Watson MBE and Susan Jones (Fort Hill Integrated Primary School).