Community Relations Equality & Diversity Programme

The ‘Community Relations Equality & Diversity Programme' (funded by the Department of Education) was co-planned with our local controlled school Ballytrea. The programme provided invaluable educational opportunities for children from Reception/P.1 to P.7. and complemented the work already ongoing in the Personal Development and Mutual Understanding Area of Learning.

Over the years the two schools applied for funding to co-host a programme to support and enhance - friendship skills, diversity and respecting difference. Below provides an example of the type of activities that the two schools have been previously involved in.

Year	Programme
Rec & P1	Respecting others, similarities and differences
P2 & 3	Friends and Feelings, Comparing differences
P3 & 4	Finding out about differences
P 5	Our Local Churches
P6/7	Working together transferring our skills

This active partnership between Ballytrea and St Mary’s enhanced the learning opportunities for all involved. The CRED programme was funded by the Department of Education but funding regrettably ceased and the school sought funding through the Signature Project: Shared Education to further develop collaboration between the schools in the local community.