Integrated Education Act (Northern Ireland) 2022

New schools

8.—(1) Education bodies must consider integrated education when planning for the establishment of a new school.

(2) In exercising their functions under subsection (1), education bodies must consult with—

(a) teachers,

(b) governors,

(c) pupils,

(d) families, and

(e) sectoral and community bodies

who would, in the opinion of the relevant body, be affected by the proposal.

(3) Education bodies must prepare and publish a report on the consultation under subsection (2).

(4) The report must include, in particular, an assessment in relation to—

(a) the manner in which, and the extent to which, the relevant body has considered integrated education when planning for the establishment of a new school, and

(b) the levels of demand for integrated education.

(5) In this section a “new school” does not include—

(a) two or more existing schools that have amalgamated to create a new school,

(b) an existing school that has significantly changed in size,

(c) an existing school that has relocated, or

(d) an Irish-medium school which comes into existence after this Act receives Royal Assent.

(6) The interpretation of subsection (5) will not preclude education bodies receiving or responding supportively to applications or expressions of interest by such schools in respect of transforming into integrated schools.