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"The Big Small Stories Exhibition" celebrating 35 years of integrated education in Northern Ireland

Cecil Linehan MBE, Lorna McAlpine, NICIE Senior Development Officer, Anne Odling-Smee CBE, Denise Morgan, NICIE Development officer and Helen Hamilton founding Principal of Cranmore Integrated Primary School, Belfast pictured at 'the Big Small Stories exhibition at the Ulster Museum
Cecil Linehan MBE, Lorna McAlpine, NICIE Senior Development Officer, Anne Odling-Smee CBE, Denise Morgan, NICIE Development officer and Helen Hamilton founding Principal of Cranmore Integrated Primary School, Belfast pictured at 'the Big Small Stories Cecil Linehan MBE, Lorna McAlpine, NICIE Senior Development Officer, Anne Odling-Smee CBE, Denise Morgan, NICIE Development officer and Helen Hamilton founding Principal of Cranmore Integrated Primary School, Belfast pictured at 'the Big Small Stories exhibition at the Ulster Museum

AN exhibition celebrating 35 years of integrated education has been held at the Ulster Museum.

"The Big Small Stories Exhibition" took place over the weekend and featured displays and stories from the 65 integrated schools across Northern Ireland.

Through oral history interviews and a collection of images and heritage material, the project aims to bring together teachers, pupils and the wider school community to uncover the history of integrated education.

Hosted by the Northern Ireland Council for Integrated Education (NICIE), the exhibition was given support and funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

Speaking at the exhibition launch, Roisin Marshall of NICIE said the archive will serve as a legacy for future generations.

"The whole 'Big Small Stories' project captures the important role that integrated education has had in in promoting peace and reconciliation in Northern Ireland and helps celebrate the efforts of so many people who have worked hard to build a more cohesive and integrated society across the region," she said.

"We are confident that the archive we have been building with the support of the Heritage Lottery Fund will be an important legacy to leave for future generations."

The first integrated school to open in Northern Ireland was Lagan College, which opened in 1981 with 28 pupils.

There are currently 65 integrated schools in the north, along with 20 second level colleges and 45 integrated primary schools, catering for more than 22,000 pupils.