Forge and Hazelwood Integrated Primary Schools were the first planned integrated primary schools in Northern Ireland, both opening their doors in 1985.
In September 1985 Forge opened with 35 children and 4 members of staff.
Despite what now appear to be the very obvious merits of educating all children together, there was much opposition to integrated education at the time, but some very committed parents believed in what they were doing and kept going. Politically and socially, the climate is so different now that it’s hard to appreciate the scale of the obstacles faced over thirty years ago.
The founding parents gave a lot of time, money and effort, and we have much to thank them for.
