Building for the future: 

As an integrated College we are very proud of the fact that we accept students from the two main religions of Catholic and Protestant in Northern Ireland as well as other religions and none. Integration to us means respecting yourself and others, even when they have different beliefs from yours. Blackwater is statistically one of the most diverse Colleges in NI with a representative balance of the community in our intake.

With a proposal approved by the Department of Education in 2023 we are working with Mid Down Integrated College Steering group to form a new Integrated Post Primary school. The new College is set to open in September 2026 and any students enrolled in Blackwater IC will transfer across to the new College and have access to an 11-18 education in an integrated setting which is an exciting opportunity for all of our students and staff. A new interim Board of Governors has been established and they are working with the Department of Education to establish the new school on a new site.

Inspiring success:  

Our accelerated learning groups are aimed at students who are more academically able, so they can be encouraged to progress with both stimulation and pace.  The intention is to make sure that they are happy, that they are stretched and that they fulfil their potential. Our current Year 8 accelerated group consists of many students who narrowly missed out on grammar school places, and I am very confident that the environment we provide will allow those students to excel in their studies through to Post 16 provision.

We are very proud of the fact that we cater for the needs of all of our students. From September 2025 we will have Specialist Provision in place for students from Year 8 – Year 12 building on the excellent reputation the College has for working with students for Special Educational Needs.

Caring for all:  

Children will naturally achieve more and be successful if they are happy in their studies. Our pastoral team, from form tutors to Head of Junior and Senior School to Pastoral Coordinator, provides an environment and structure that allow students to be safe, very well cared for and happy. Small class sizes and the relationship developed with the form tutor allow each child to receive the care and attention they need to enable them to achieve their best throughout their time in the College. As an Integrated College parental involvement is very important.

I would like to thank you for your interest in Blackwater Integrated College and if you have any further queries, please do not hesitate to contact us at the College office on 02844612115.

Mr Stephen Taylor

Principal