Schools in Northern Ireland mark Belfast Agreement milestone

The Northern Ireland Office has launched a package of free educational materials to mark the 25th anniversary of the Belfast Agreement, also referred to as the Good Friday Agreement.

The initiative was first launched in 2023 as part of a wider UK Government programme to mark the milestone.

The Good Friday Agreement was a political deal designed to bring an end to 30 years of violent conflict in Northern Ireland in 1998.

Developed independently by The National Archives, these educational materials have been created alongside academics, educational and historical experts.

Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Chris Heaton-Harris said: “Thanks to the Good Friday Agreement, Northern Ireland’s young people have grown up in peace and safety, looking forward to a future of hope and opportunity.

“The first part of this package was incredibly successful and I hope this next part will give young people in Northern Ireland and across the UK the chance to deepen their appreciation and understanding of the Agreement now and for generations to come.”

The materials include Key Stage 3, 4, and 5 lesson plans for delivery in school classrooms.

They are designed to support detailed discussion and comprehension of the journey to the Good Friday Agreement and align with the national curriculum in England and relevant CCEA GCSE and AQA A-level history syllabus.

Students will engage with materials, including primary sources about the Downing Street Declaration, the road to the Agreement, the negotiations that took place and immediate impact of the Agreement.

The free resources are available to teachers, parents and children across Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK on an optional basis.

The first phase of the resources was launched in March 2023 and consisted of an assembly pack containing an animated video and accompanying resources to support discussions in school assemblies for all ages.

Jeff James, chief executive and keeper of The National Archives said: “This resource builds on the assembly pack and allows teachers and students to explore the history of the Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement using material from the original documents. It brings alive the issues, the people involved, and the decisions made.”