12 June 2026
In year 2, the partnership between St. Oliver’s National School and St. Brigid’s Special School continued to deliver meaningful shared sessions for pupils, staff and the wider local community through the PEACEPLUS ASPIRE programme. Both schools have focused on fostering understanding and collaboration, and inclusion has become a cornerstone of both schools’ activities, equipping students with valuable lifelong skills while strengthening relationships across the two school communities. Read on to discover more about their partnership!
Throughout the year, pupils have engaged in a wide range of shared activities, with an emphasis on wellbeing, creativity and collaboration. From farm visits to sports days, this partnership creates an inclusive space for all pupils to be actively involved. Teachers highlighted the noticeable improvement in overall pupil wellbeing and attitude, which has been a key factor in their success, helping to build confidence and encourage meaningful participation for all involved. Beyond shared activities, educators from both schools regularly exchange ideas and resources, strengthening long-term collaboration.
The impact of this partnership extends beyond those directly involved, with community engagement also playing an important role. Throughout their shared sessions, parents have played an active role, supporting and contributing to the experience. Speaking about their experience, a parent from St. Oliver’s National School shared:
Being a parent in this school is absolutely amazing. It is like being a family. Everybody is included in everything. I'm hoping that it stays and they are doing PEACECPLUS ASPIRE with St Brigid's School because I think it is a great opportunity for both schools. It makes them (her children) more caring and more aware of their surroundings. It helps them care for people more.
In June, the partnership hosted a vibrant sports day that brought both schools together in a inclusive celebration of fun. Despite the last-minute change to an indoor session, activities included sound baths, fitness dance sessions, and football bingo, ensuring there was something for every pupil to enjoy. Senior classes also played an active role on the day, capturing photos and videos of the events, helping to document and share the positive impact of PEACEPLUS ASPIRE.
Throughout their activities, pupils from both schools have developed close friendships and consistently support one another across different activities. Pupils from St. Oliver’s, in particular, have taken on leadership roles, guiding and assisting their peers from St. Brigid’s in a way that promotes confidence, inclusion and mutual respect.
Speaking on their experience of PEACEPLUS ASPIRE, some of the senior classes shared:
It has taught us teamwork.
To me, peace means we all work together and can be friends.
I really enjoying having fun with my friends and with other people. Working with St.Brigid's, means that I can understand them more and have fun with them.
It has been really fun meeting all the other people in St.Brigid's. We had a creative day and I was helping with the printing. When I met everyone, I realised how creative they all were. I also learned how to be patient with them, and I have enjoyed working with them. They are all very friendly and I have loads of new friends.
I became more confident because I was shy when we first met. After St.Brigid's came to our school more times, I have become confident.
St. Brigid’s students have also shared their experiences through a podcast, where they spoke about their feelings, as well as the activities and celebrations they have taken part in. This has given pupils an opportunity to articulate their experiences in their own words. Speaking on their experience of welcoming St Oliver's to their school, one pupil from St. Brigid's Special School said:
We made them feel at home.
The PEACEPLUS ASPIRE partnership between St. Oliver’s National School and St. Brigid’s Special School stands as a powerful example of how inclusive shared education and community and wellbeing focused activities can foster understanding and empathy, while creating a safe, welcoming environment where all pupils can participate, feel valued and enjoy shared experiences.
PEACEPLUS ASPIRE (Advancing Shared Partnerships through Inclusive Relationships in Education) is a collaboration between Léargas, the Education Authority (lead partner), Early Years- the organisation for young children, National Childhood Network (NCN) and the Fermanagh Trust. The project is supported by PEACEPLUS, a programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB). It aims to provide direct and sustained contact between children and young people from all backgrounds.
To learn more about PEACEPLUS ASPIRE, check out our website here.