Shared Education Partnership

Holy Cross Nursery School and Edenderry Nursery School have a long-standing tradition of collaboration through previous initiatives such as EMU and CRED. We participated in the Delivering Social Change Shared Education Signature Project (DSC SESP) and have since continued this important work with funding from the Department of Education.

Our partnership is built on meaningful interaction, including joint trips, reciprocal school visits, and shared experiences that foster strong connections between our communities. Each year, the programme has grown in scope and ambition, with events becoming increasingly successful. The benefits are significant and far-reaching, positively impacting pupils, parents, extended families, staff, and the wider community. These relationships continue to deepen, creating lasting value that is evident in the lives of all involved.

For over 25 years, we have worked closely with Community Relations in Schools (CRIS), a dedicated charity that provides strategic support, funding, facilitation, evaluation, and event planning. CRIS remains a vital partner in helping us engage families from both communities in meaningful, sustained shared education initiatives.

One of our most notable achievements is the ‘Buddy Up’ programme, developed collaboratively by CRIS, Holy Cross Nursery School, and Edenderry Nursery School. This initiative is now being implemented in schools across Northern Ireland and is frequently highlighted by the Department of Education (DE), Education Authority (EA), and Education and Training Inspectorate (ETI) as an example of best practice with a profound impact on reconciliation and educational outcomes.