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“Everybody deserves the same opportunities; everybody will be respected and there are pathways and opportunities to ensure that all our young people reach their full potential,” these are the words from Gary Brennan, Vice Principal at Lismore College in Craigavon.

A School Which Values its Pupils

Lismore College in Craigavon recently secured one of the inaugural IQM National Inclusion Champions awards, showcasing its high level of inclusive practice.

Lismore is an exceptional school and one which is truly worthy of the title. IQM selected only eight schools across Northern Ireland and the UK as National Inclusion Champions for 2023/24. Joining Lismore were Holte School in Birmingham; Outwood Academy Shafton, Barnsley; Perryfields Primary PRU, Worcester; Barton Hill Academy, Torquay; St Wilfrid’s Academy, Doncaster; St Peter’s CE, Farnworth; and Five Acre Wood, Maidstone.

Lismore is a co-ed, all-ability school, for 11-18-year-olds which caters for pupils with different needs and abilities.

As part of the submission for the National Inclusion Champion award, Lismore College produced a video explaining what sets the school apart. Featuring contributions from staff, parents, and pupils, it became evident that this is a school that values its students – a sentiment reciprocated by the community.

Integral Part of Lismore College

Introducing the school, Lismore’s Principal Shauna Lennon explained, “Lismore has a Learning Support Centre which is very much an integral part of our school. Our doors are open to the pupils throughout the school day and open to local organisations in the evening.

“We were delighted to be awarded the IQM Centre of Excellence in 2018 and then it was a privilege to be the first post-primary school in Northern Ireland to be awarded Flagship School Status three years later.”

Vice Principal Gary Brennan reinforced the idea that pupils are at the heart of Lismore. He explained, “We are a family, we look after all of our young people, our staff and our parents, inside and outside of our gates. Our school is situated in one of the most socially deprived areas in Northern Ireland. Lismore has never been needed as a school at the heart of the community more than it is now.

“The local community gets the holistic, inclusive element of our ethos,” Mr Brennan explained.

Lismore College offers a broad curriculum to meet the needs of all pupils, with academic and vocational subjects tailored to various learning styles, ensuring every pupil reaches their potential. International students also have opportunities to sit external qualifications in their native language.

“The Lismore family fosters the identity, language, and culture of all of our young people,” Mr Brennan continued. 

“We value the contribution that our students and parents can make to the effective decision making of our school, through our School Council, our Inclusion Ambassadors – we all work together to promote and share best practice in our school and in our community, to do this we not only educate the mind, but we educate the heart.”

Cater for the Needs of Everybody

Kevin Ward, Vice Principal explained, “Lismore caters for the needs of everybody in our school community regardless of any medical difficulties or learning needs that they may have. Education plans are developed in conjunction with teachers and parents and the pupils themselves to remove any barriers to their learning. All are unique to the individual and give them the best opportunity to achieve their full potential,” Mr Ward concluded,

“Autistic pupils are given extra time to move between classes, work is set digitally to pupils with visual impairments. Our pupils with DCD and dyslexia access the curriculum through assisted technology.”

A number of parents also spoke about their experience with Lismore College. They were keen to praise the difference the school has made to the lives of their children.

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