In a stunning achievement that places it among the elite of educational institutions across the United Kingdom, St Brigid’s Primary School in Downpatrick has been awarded the prestigious Inclusion Quality Mark (IQM) Inclusive School Award, along with recognition as a Centre of Excellence. The accomplishment is all the more remarkable given that the school only began its focused inclusion journey in 2020, making this five-year transformation nothing short of extraordinary.
The IQM Award is the leading accreditation for inclusion, operated by Inclusion Quality Mark (UK), and has been recognising exemplary inclusive schools for over 20 years in more than 20 countries worldwide. The award validates schools that demonstrate a genuine commitment to creating learning environments where every pupil, regardless of background, ability, or need, can truly thrive.
While several Northern Ireland schools have achieved IQM status, St Brigid’s distinction as both an Inclusive School Award holder and Centre of Excellence simultaneously positions it among a select group of educational pioneers in Ireland and across the UK.
At the heart of this success story lies a transformative decision made in 2020. When the school submitted an application to open a learning support unit, the Education Authority responded with a request that would reshape the entire school community—to open a Specialist Provision for Early Years and Foundation Stage for pupils with Severe Learning Difficulties. Principal Mrs Dolores Miller embraced this opportunity with characteristic vision: “The decision allowed whole families of siblings to attend the same school.”
The impact of that decision reverberates through every corridor and classroom today. Assessor Mr Cormac Ua Bruadair, who conducted the rigorous evaluation in June 2025, captured the essence of what makes St Brigid’s exceptional:
“Saint Brigid’s Primary School serves as an example of excellence in nurturing a welcoming environment, where diversity is celebrated, and every individual is valued as part of an inclusive, diverse community.”
His observations paint a picture of a school where inclusion isn’t merely policy—it’s the very fabric of daily life. Perhaps most telling is the assessor’s observation that from the moment of arrival, “there was a sense of warmth, friendliness, and respect.” He described the morning welcome routine, where staff spend up to an hour, including breakfast club time, greeting pupils and parents individually, as “an exceptional beginning to the day.” This daily commitment ensures that every child, regardless of their challenges, enters school feeling “accepted and safe and ready to engage with the learning for the day.”
The evidence of transformational leadership is everywhere. “The passion and energy witnessed from the school leadership has undoubtedly transferred to the rest of the school team,” the assessor noted, adding that the principal and deputy principal lead from “a strong belief in inclusion and that every child must receive the best possible chance in life to thrive and realise their potential.” Their approach is described as “creative in their thinking, strategic in their decision making and charismatic in their professionalism.”
But St Brigid’s success extends far beyond the leadership team. The school has fostered remarkable maturity and compassion among its pupils through initiatives like the Wellbeing Ambassadors and the innovative ‘Listening Lamb’ programme—a pupil-led initiative that provides emotional support throughout the school.
Students have learned to support classmates with additional needs with such natural empathy that the assessor observed: “If the attitudes and behaviours I witnessed within the school are carried beyond the school gates into the community the possibilities for children with additional needs to be accepted and included in other settings are endless.”
The school’s commitment to excellence in teaching has not gone unnoticed by the Education and Training Inspectorate either. In their 2024 inspection, they praised “the inspirational and creative staff who are passionate about providing excellence for all children; they recognise the children’s unique starting points and provide well-chosen learning experiences to progress every child’s learning.”
Located in the heart of the county town, St Brigid’s Primary School on Rathkeltair Road has become far more than an educational institution—it has become a beacon of what is possible when a community commits to truly inclusive education.
With teaching interventions significantly reducing literacy and numeracy underachievement over the past two years, the measurable outcomes match the school’s inspirational ethos. For a school that only began this focused journey five years ago, St Brigid’s Primary School has achieved what many would consider impossible.
Under Mrs Dolores Miller’s principalship, with dedicated staff, supportive governors, engaged parents, and remarkably compassionate pupils, the school has created something truly special—a place where every child genuinely can learn and grow together. As the school motto promises: ‘Learning and Growing Together’, and St Brigid’s Primary School is living proof that when a community commits to inclusion, extraordinary things happen.
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