Millennium Integrated Primary School Retains Centre of Excellence Status

August 20, 2026

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Congratulations to everyone at Millennium Integrated Primary School on retaining Centre of Excellence status. This outstanding achievement celebrates the dedication of staff, pupils, families and the wider school community to creating a welcoming, inclusive environment where every child is supported to thrive.

Where Everyone Belongs

Millennium Integrated Primary School is a large and highly inclusive integrated primary school located in Saintfield, County Down. The school community reflects a strong commitment to inclusion, diversity and belonging, and this ethos is evident throughout all aspects of school life. The school is currently preparing for transition to a purpose-built new school environment designed carefully to support accessibility, wellbeing and inclusive learning opportunities for all pupils.

Inclusion at the Heart of School Life

Inclusive values are deeply embedded throughout Millennium Integrated Primary School and are clearly understood and lived by staff, pupils and the wider community. The school is consistently experienced as a warm, safe and welcoming environment where pupils feel secure, valued and supported. This is reflected in the school’s core objectives, “our children are, and feel safe; our children feel good about school; and our children see school as a partnership.” These principles are clearly embedded in daily practice and underpin the strong sense of belonging and trust evident across the school community. The school’s ethos is rooted firmly in relationships, nurture, belonging and emotional wellbeing. During the review visit, there was a strong sense that every pupil is known, valued and supported as an individual.

Award-Winning Autism-Inclusive Practice

The school’s relational approach is a significant strength. Leaders and staff consistently prioritise positive relationships with pupils and families, contributing greatly to the warm, calm and welcoming atmosphere evident throughout the school. Staff spoke passionately about ensuring that pupils feel safe, respected and emotionally supported. The school’s recent Autism Accreditation Award reflects the high quality of inclusive practice across the setting. Consistent visuals and communication systems are embedded throughout classrooms and shared areas, creating familiarity, predictability and accessibility for all learners. The use of an agreed set of visuals across the entire school further strengthens this consistency.

Three Clear Commitments, One Shared Vision

The school’s three core objectives are simple, clear and well understood by the entire school community. Staff reported that these values genuinely reflect daily practice and previous survey feedback confirms that pupils and families recognise these strengths. Professional development is prioritised across the school. Staff and classroom assistants access extensive training opportunities in areas such as autism, dyslexia, speech and language, sensory integration and trauma-informed practice. Staff are also increasingly engaging with innovative approaches such as Universal Design for Learning, adaptive teaching and emerging digital technologies.

Resources That Remove Barriers

The school demonstrates excellent use of resources to support accessibility and inclusion. Technology resources are distributed carefully according to pupil need and staff are skilled in selecting appropriate tools and approaches to support learning. Teachers and classroom assistants work collaboratively to support pupils and there is a strong emphasis on adaptive teaching rather than differentiation through separation. Technology is being used thoughtfully to streamline planning and adapt learning materials, enabling staff to devote more time to responsive teaching and pupil wellbeing. The school’s specialist provision also demonstrates effective use of structured supports, task boards, sensory approaches and assistive technology to enhance communication, regulation and independence.

Confident Transitions Through Strong Partnerships

The school’s focus on preparation for transitions and life skills further strengthens pupils’ confidence and independence. Millennium Integrated Primary School values parents and carers as key partners in supporting pupils’ learning and wellbeing. Staff described strong and positive communication systems between home and school, including the use of Seesaw, meetings and ongoing collaboration with families. Parents are actively involved in planning, reviews and transition processes where appropriate. The school also demonstrates a strong commitment to supporting parents through workshops, information sharing and collaborative approaches to inclusion. Parents and community representatives have been involved in discussions regarding the new school build, helping to shape future learning and community spaces.

Find Out More About IQM

The Inclusion Quality Mark provides schools with a nationally recognised framework for developing and celebrating inclusive practice.

If your school is interested in achieving the IQM Inclusive School Award, contact the IQM team on 028 7127 7857 or email admin@iqmaward.com .

To find out more about IQM and request a free information pack, visit www.iqmaward.com.