Priory Integrated College Celebrates Success at the 2026 Carson Awards.

The Carson Awards Showcase is an annual event which celebrates the creative talent of Integrated pupils by exhibiting the amazing projects they have been working on over the past year.  Priory Integrated College (IC) in Holywood received First Prize in Key Stage Four for their documentary style short film ‘Educating Priory’.

The Integrated Education Fund (IEF) is delighted that Dan Gordon, renowned actor, director and playwright from Belfast, kindly gave his time to host this very special celebration event at Malone Integrated College (IC) 15 October.  Dan wrote and performed the acclaimed one-man show ‘A Rebel without a Pause’, which told the story of late comedian and Carson Awards-founder Frank Carson.  It also marks a significant year for the Carson Awards as it would have been the 100th birthday of Frank Carson this year.

Host Dan Gordon said:

“I am delighted to host the annual Carson Awards Showcase this year.  The Carson Awards Showcase offer a fantastic opportunity for young people to express themselves creatively under the theme of ‘What Integrated Education Means to Me’. As an actor, director and playwright, I have been so impressed by the wide variety of innovative projects on display.  The Carson Awards Showcase shows the potential and offers a glimpse into a very bright future for the next generation.”

The Carson Bursary grant programme and Carson Awards were generously started by late comedian and Integrated Education supporter Frank Carson, along with his son Tony Carson in 2008.  The Carson Awards Showcase gives those who have received a Carson Bursary or won a Carson Award the opportunity to show their creative projects. This year it felt fitting to hold the event in Malone IC, a school which has shown a real commitment to fostering and developing creative talents in their students.    

This year, Priory IC received First Prize in Key Stage Four for their short documentary style film ‘Educating Priory’.   Priory IC students explained the rationale and process that they used when making the film:

“Our documentary is all about what integration means to the people in our school community.  We interviewed pupils from every year group, as well as members of staff, and asked them questions about what makes our school unique, their favourite things about school, and the friendships they’ve made with people who may be different from them. Alongside these interviews, we included clips and photos from everyday school life, including lessons, science experiments, trips, sports, and the ski trip.  The documentary reflects our school values of respect, kindness, excellence, and empowerment, and shows how we really are ‘Accomplishing More Together’.  Overall, it highlights how integration is part of everyday life in our school and what makes our community so special.”

This insight into life at Priory IC received First Prize in Key Stage Four in this year’s Carson Awards.

Paul Caskey OBE, Chief Executive at the IEF, said:

“The IEF are delighted to be celebrating the 19th year of the Carson Awards.  The variety and quality of entries never ceases to amaze.  We want to congratulate Priory IC Glengormley on receiving First Prize in Key Stage Four.  The students should be very proud of having created such a professional film with a real Integrated ethos at the core.

The IEF also wants to thank Tony Carson for his continued support for the Carson Awards, which is a fitting tribute to the legacy of our friend and supporter Frank Carson.’

For more information on the Carson bursary programme and Carson Awards please see our website here:  https://www.ief.org.uk/our-work/grants/carson-awards/