MILL STRAND - HISTORY IN THE MAKING

Mill Strand Integrated School is situated on the outskirts of Portrush, overlooking the beautiful West Bay (Mill Strand).  The school attracts pupils from Castlerock, Ballymoney, Coleraine, Portstewart, Portrush and the surrounding area.  Only 7 minutes drive from Coleraine and with an entitlement to free travel for pupils living more than 2 miles from the school, integrated education is closer than you think!

First opened in 1987, Mill Strand Integrated Primary School remains the only integrated primary school in the wider Triangle area.  It is hard to imagine now, but to set up the school a group of families had to actually remortgage their homes to raise the funding and the school ran on charitable donations for two years before the Education Minister Brian Mawhinney gave Integrated Schools recognised status.

Even now, thirty years on, and with 80% support/desire for integrated education in polls, it is exceptionally difficult to open a new integrated school, indeed a new Grant Maintained Integrated School hasn't been allowed to be created in over 18 years, leaving many families without the option of an integrated place for their child.... you can't go to a school that doesn't exist or one that has no places because its 'capped' and not allowed to grow.

The school adheres to the ‘Principles of Integrated Education’ and is the only primary school in the area to do so.  As such, Mill Strand Integrated School provides a high quality of education for all, regardless of ability or religious belief, educating these pupils all day, every day in an educational environment that actively promotes an 'integrated ethos'.

First day of Mill Strand Integrated School - 1 September 1987

In 2010 Mill Strand Integrated School developed a model for extra curricular provision that is now being adopted by other schools to provide over twenty after school clubs and activities. 
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Utilising the resources on our doorstep, local coaches and instructors, community groups and expertise within the school, Mill Strand Integrated School offers a varied and diverse programme that, in addition to traditional school sports, includes: surfing, golf, drama, arts & craft, dance, baking, volleyball, tennis, hockey, football and Glee Club as only some of its additional provision.  Our highly successful representative  sports teams and choir will continue to operate in addition to this.

Mill Strand Integrated Nursery, was set up with the creation of the school, was funded and developed to further extend the underlying integrated ethos and quality education provided, for pupils attending Mill Strand Integrated School.  The range of exciting opportunities for pupils embarking on a primary education in the school is highlighted in a separate section of the web site.

The school has recently been recognised for ‘Outstanding’ Learning and teaching and strives constantly to improve, not only the standards of education but also its extra curricular provision and links to the community.  Mill Strand Integrated School was the first school to operate an After School Childcare facility in the area, fully registered with Social Services and our acclaimed ‘After School Club’ has led the way for over ten years in providing this services for families at the school.

As an Integrated School, Mill Strand delivers recognised preparation for Sacraments as an integral part of the school day for those pupils requiring it.  In an inclusive sharing community the school has strengthened its links with all of the main churches in the area, holding annual Harvest and Christmas Carol Services in the local Church of Ireland and Presbyterian Churches.

In 2016, the Minister for Education announced that Mill Strand Integrated School has been permitted to proceed to the planning stage for a New Build school under 'Fresh Start Agreement Funding'.  A new extensive, 5 acre site has been secured on the Ballywillan Road, Portrush to enable the school to meet the growing demand for integrated education and to provide the space necessary to develop the state of the art educational facilities our pupils deserve.  The new school is due for completion in the Summer of 2023.