Education Authority

📰✨ Our latest PEACEPLUS ASPIRE Newsletter is out now!
Explore inspiring stories of shared education in action from April – June 2026 across early years, primary and post-primary partnerships — from the Festival of Learning and intercultural celebrations to outdoor learning, community projects and the PEACEPLUS ASPIRE Talks podcast. 🌍🤝🎧
The newsletter is available now in both English and Irish language.
➡️ https://ow.ly/TIy650ZeARu



Special EU Programmes Body - SEUPB Early Years - the organisation for young children
Léargas National Childhood Network Fermanagh Trust Department of Education NI An Roinn Oideachais agus Óige - Department of Education and Youth

We have published a Fact File on our Local IMPACT Team initiative.

As the Education Authority’s Local IMPACT Team initiative concludes its first school year in operation, this fact file provides key information on its purpose, progress to date, early impact and the further investment needed to meet growing demand for specialist SEN support.

🔗 Read the full fact file on our website: https://www.eani.org.uk/news/fact-file-local-impact-teams

☀️ ‘It’s hot out there, but it’s cold in here’ 🌊

The sea or open water may look inviting to people during hot weather, but it remains cold enough year-round to trigger cold water shock, which can cause uncontrollable gasping, increased heart rate, and can lead to panic and drowning very quickly.

When someone gets into difficulty in the water, their instinct is often to panic and swim hard. Float to Live helps them regain control by following these steps:
✔️ Tilt your head back, submerging your ears.
✔️ Relax and control your breathing.
✔️ Move your hands and legs to help you stay afloat.
✔️ Your legs may sink – that’s OK. Everyone floats differently.
✔️ Practise floating at a supervised location like a swimming pool.

If you see someone else in trouble in the water, remember Phone, Float, Throw:
◾ Phone 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard to get help.
◾ Tell the struggling person to Float to Live.
◾ Throw them something that floats, such as a life ring.

Are you starting (or continuing) a full-time undergraduate course in September 2026? You should apply now for your Student Finance!

Visit www.studentfinanceni.co.uk to create or log in to your account and complete your application. New students are strongly recommended to apply as soon as possible.

Most students can receive a basic rate of student finance without any household income information. Your parents’ household income information could mean you can borrow more, and in some instances, receive additional grants.

Please note, if you wish to have your student finance assessed on your parents’ income then they must input their details online, including their National Insurance (NI) numbers, at the time of you completing your application. Student Finance will use the NI number to check parental income directly with HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC).

In order to submit information online, parents need to create their own Student Finance NI account or use their existing account which will then be linked to your account.

For more information, please see: www.studentfinanceni.co.uk

Two Bangor primary schools are celebrate their long-standing Shared Education partnership, bringing pupils together to learn, play and build friendships across the local community.
St Comgall’s Primary School and Grange Park Primary School have developed a strong collaborative relationship based on mutual respect, shared values and a commitment to providing high-quality learning experiences for children.
Read the full story➡️ https://ow.ly/aXCN50ZffF4


Special EU Programmes Body - SEUPB Early Years - the organisation for young children Léargas National Childhood Network Fermanagh Trust Department of Education NI An Roinn Oideachais agus Óige - Department of Education and Youth

In preparation for the 2026/27 academic year, the EA will advertise a number of tenders for home-to-school and other transport, that will commence from 1 September 2026.

All Private Bus and Taxis Drivers/Operators who are interested in registering or are already registered on the EA’s Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS) for bus or taxi transport are invited to attend a series of Supplier Engagement events. The events will be used to provide Private Operators with information on the procurement process and the operational and compliance requirements for completing transport contracts for EA.

In-person sessions will be available to book on the following dates:

◾ Monday 29th June 2026 – EA, Antrim Board Centre (ABC Conf Room 1)
◾ Tuesday 30th June 2026 – EA, Armagh Office (Boardroom)
◾ Wednesday 1st July 2026 – EA, Derry/Londonderry District Office (Meeting Room 1)
◾ Thursday 2nd July 2026 – EA, Omagh Office (Boardroom)

Two sessions are available at each location:
👉 Morning Session – 10.30am – 12.00pm
👉 Afternoon Session – 12.30pm to 2.00pm

✅ Please complete the form to confirm your attendance: https://ow.ly/Go0E50Zf5ZF

📧 Other queries can be raised by emailing [email protected]

If you are applying for Free School Meals and Uniform Allowance for the upcoming school year, you are encouraged to apply before Friday 31 July to guarantee your support is in place for the start of term.

Please ensure you have completed the application fully and submitted all relevant supporting documentation.

👉 Apply now on EA Connect: https://connect.eani.org.uk/parent/login

For more information, including FAQs, visit: www.eani.org.uk/fsm

Young people from the Q Café Project in Downpatrick and Bridge Youth Centre in Monkstown have launched Downtown, a brand new magazine promoting understanding of LGBTQIA+ communities and tackling homophobia and transphobia through education and awareness.

Developed through the Go Lead programme, Downtown was created by young people, for young people and adults and is packed with crosswords, recipes, personal stories, interviews and articles exploring LGBTQIA+ experiences and identities. The magazine also features contributions from local LGBTQIA+ figures including artist Mel Carroll and members of Problem Patterns.

The launch took place at St Patrick's Centre, Downpatrick, where attendees had the opportunity to hear directly from the young people involved and celebrate the publication of a resource aimed at fostering greater understanding and acceptance within schools and communities.

The project was funded through the Small Grants Programme, supporting the printing and distribution of the magazine.

EA Youth Service