Belfast Primary School Wins Prestigious Award

Cliftonville Integrated Primary School has been awarded the British Council’s International School Award for 2024–2027, becoming the only school in Northern Ireland to receive this UK-wide recognition.

The award celebrates schools that bring a global perspective into the classroom, foster inclusion, and celebrate diversity — qualities deeply embedded in the ethos of Cliftonville Integrated. With over 400 pupils and 17 languages spoken among them, the school has developed a reputation for embracing multiculturalism in a meaningful, day-to-day way.

Principal Bill Fletcher acknowledged the challenges that come with such diversity, especially when pupils arrive without English language skills. “It’s difficult for teachers, and there’s limited support from the Department of Education or the Education Authority. That’s something that urgently needs review,” he said.

Despite these challenges, the school has built its own support system, including a dedicated international coordinator and an EAL (English as an Additional Language) teacher who also offers English classes to parents. The school is also a designated School of Sanctuary, supporting families new to the area and helping them integrate smoothly into the community.

“We’ve had children arrive recently who need extra language support, and others who are already fluent in English. It’s a very diverse group, but we’re proud of how inclusive and welcoming our environment is,” Fletcher added.

To support newcomers, the school also empowers its pupils. Six students serve as school ambassadors, helping new classmates settle in. Nine-year-old Victoria Chen, one of the ambassadors, said, “We show people around the school, help them make friends, and make sure they don’t feel left out.”

Pupils at Cliftonville are not only immersed in a multicultural environment but also actively learn Mandarin and French. For student Charlotte Ogunleye, this international approach has been inspiring: “I’m learning Mandarin and spotting patterns in other languages — it’s helping me understand different cultures better.”

MP John Finucane, who collected the award on behalf of the school at Westminster, praised the staff and students: “Cliftonville doesn’t just talk about diversity — they live it. Their model of integration, kindness, and curiosity is something all schools can learn from.”

The school also served as the venue for the launch of the British Council’s 2025 Language Trends report, underscoring its leadership in modern language learning. Report author Dr Ian Collen described the school as a “linguistic melting pot,” adding, “What you see in Cliftonville is what every school should aspire to — learning languages in a fun and inclusive way.”

As Cliftonville Integrated Primary celebrates this national recognition, its daily mission remains clear: to ensure every child feels valued, supported, and empowered to learn — no matter where they come from or what language they speak.