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NEWS


Love Later Life: NRC students join Mid and East Antrim Borough Council to promote positive ageing
Northern Regional College Staff and Level 3 Creative Media Practice students at the showcase of their short film Love Later Life. Northern Regional College’s Creative Media students have teamed up with Mid and East Antrim Borough Council to produce a moving short film that celebrates the power of positive ageing. The film, titled Love Later Life, was officially launched on Tuesday 30 September, showcasing the talents of the College’s Level 3 Creative Media Practice students.
Oct 22, 2025


Nearly half of all babies born in NI in 2026 invited to join landmark ‘Generation New Era’ study
(L-R) Dr Orla McBride, Study Lead for Northern Ireland, Ulster University, Professor Ian Young, Chief Scientific Advisor to the Department of Health, Northern Ireland and Beccy Shipman, Deputy Director of Data Strategy and Infrastructure at ESRC pictured at the official Northern Ireland launch of the landmark UK-wide birth cohort study Generation New Era (GNE). Ulster University launches UK-wide project to track childhood and family life for generations to come Nearly half o
Oct 22, 2025


Ballymena student among future leaders in Belfast City Airport’s IGNITE programme
IGNITE participant, Jenna Louise Dowds from Slemish College, pictured with Paula Bittles, Business Support Executive at Belfast City Airport and Gerry Kelly, CEO of NICSSA Belfast City Airport has launched the sixth year of its acclaimed IGNITE youth leadership programme, reaffirming its dedication to inspiring and empowering young people from across Greater Belfast and Northern Ireland. Originally designed to support 100 students, the IGNITE initiative has now successfully e
Oct 22, 2025


UUP MLA Jon Burrows meets Harryville principal after 24 pupils reported missing from school
Jon Burrows MLA and Neil McCullough Principal of Harryville Primary School More than 20 children were initially reported missing from a primary school in Ballymena, prompting an urgent effort by education officials to trace their whereabouts. The Education Authority (EA) distributed a list of more than 50 missing pupils from various schools to principals across Northern Ireland earlier this term, seeking help to identify children who had stopped attending school without expla
Oct 17, 2025


‘Motion for more homework rejected!’ – Mayor shares fun visit from Ballykeel Primary pupils
Pupils of Ballykeel Primary School enjoying time in the Mayoral Parlour at The Braid, with Mayor of Mid & East Antrim, UUP Councillor Jackson Minford Pupils from Ballykeel Primary School enjoyed a lively morning at The Braid in Ballymena as they put local elected representatives on the spot with a series of challenging questions about life in local government. The Year 6 (P6) class met with Mayor of Mid and East Antrim Borough Council, Councillor Jackson Minford, and Independ
Oct 16, 2025


Damning new report exposes ‘systemic failure’ in schools estate management with £800m repair bill
A damning new report by the Northern Ireland Assembly’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has revealed what it describes as a “worrying picture of systemic failure” in the management of the region’s school estate — with the cost of outstanding repairs and maintenance potentially reaching £800 million. The report, Managing the Schools’ Estate , follows an inquiry launched by PAC in May 2025 , which heard evidence from officials at the Department of Education, the Education Autho
Oct 16, 2025


Education Minister welcomes Assembly backing for School Uniforms Bill to cut costs for families
Education Minister Paul Givan has welcomed the Northern Ireland Assembly’s support for the School Uniforms (Guidelines and Allowances) Bill, which aims to reduce the financial burden of school uniforms for families. The Bill, introduced by Minister Givan in February 2025, has now passed its Final Stage and will come into effect for the 2026/2027 academic year. It marks a major policy shift in how schools across Northern Ireland manage uniform requirements, with new statutory
Oct 13, 2025


New digital campaign empowers Year 8 pupils with mental health and wellbeing apps
On World Mental Health Day, 10 October 2025, the Health and Education Ministers of Northern Ireland launched an innovative digital...
Oct 11, 2025


Derry Girls actor Jamie Beamish inspires Ballymena students through creative cross-border project
Derry Girls and Bridgerton actor Jamie Beamish delivers a workshop to performing arts students at St Patrick's College in Ballymena....
Oct 10, 2025


Ballymena’s 80-year-old lollipop man Trevor Robinson honoured at BBC Make a Difference Awards
Trevor Robinson, aged 80, doing what he loves - greeting pupils of Camphill Primary School, ensuring they arrive safe and with a smile! A...
Oct 8, 2025


Economy Minister opens £55million Northern Regional College campus in Ballymena
Pictured at the opening of Northern Regional College's £55million Ballymena Campus are (L-R) NRC Ballymena Campus Chief Executive and...
Oct 8, 2025


New classrooms and car park proposed in major redevelopment of Ballyclare Primary School
The proposed new extension at Ballyclare Primary School A planning application has been submitted to Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough...
Oct 7, 2025


Coca-Cola HBC launches Graduate Programme to nurture future business leaders
Chloe McCann who is part of the pilot of the Coca-Cola HBC Graduate programme is pictured with People and Culture Director, Jenni...
Oct 7, 2025


125 Civil Service student placements announced for 2026/27 across Northern Ireland
Pictured with Finance Minister John O’Dowd are Ulster University students Caitlin Lowry (Left), who is studying Marketing, and Lewis Orr,...
Oct 6, 2025


£10,000 raised by Ballymena businesses to support locally based NI Hospitality School
Representatives from Ballymena companies who took part in a Dragon Boat Race on the River Lagan in Belfast to raise funds for the NI...
Oct 6, 2025


CAFRE students gain real-world insights on UK agriculture study tours supported by The Gibson Trust
CAFRE Level 3 Agriculture students visit Cogent UK in Chester at the start of their three-day study tour of Wales supported by The Gibson...
Oct 4, 2025


Storm chaos: Burrows demands urgent review of school closure comms after parents left scrambling
Ulster Unionist Party Education spokesperson Jon Burrows MLA has urged the Minister of Education to launch an urgent review into how...
Oct 3, 2025


Storm Amy: Amber wind warning forces early school closures across Northern Ireland
An emergency early closure of schools has been ordered across parts of Northern Ireland today (Friday 3 October) as Storm Amy brings the...
Oct 3, 2025


Queen’s and PSNI collab sees drink spiking test kits rolled out across 33 Belfast nightlife venues
Pictured (L-R) Constable Donna Tolan, District Licensing Officer, Ryan Rankin, Neighbourhood Engagement Officer at Queen's, Willie Jack,...
Sep 25, 2025


Phone-free classrooms: NI schools trial mobile ban to improve focus and mental health
Pictured at St Ronan’s College (L-R) are pupils Abigail, Dylan, Dylan, Jamie and Lucy with Principal Mrs Fiona Kane and Education...
Sep 25, 2025
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