Short Strand - History of GIF Area

History and Research Short Strand

Aimée McCutcheon

Year 2

B00877560

Bryson Street Peace Wall

The Peace Wall running through Short Strand stands at over seven metres tall of purely brick, and is further topped with towering fencing, barbed wire, and often spikes.

This wall divides the two communities of the area, but each side say they feel much safer with the wall in place.

Before the dividing wall was put into place, the streets used to be connected. The children of Beechfield Primary didn’t always have a brick wall as their view, from the top floor’s classroom, and the playground.

As the wall was put in place, the playground of the primary school was extended in order to close off the road between the two areas.

Beechfield Primary School Beechfield Primary was a Protestant primary school only accessible through the Loyalist side of Short Strand. It first opened its gates in 1938, but after 72 years it closed in the Summer holidays of 2010.

In October 2008, an insepction revealed that the Year 1 intake was down to only 3, and primary enrollment was at a mere 63 pupils.

The percentage of children with: • statements of special educational needs = 1.6% • on the special needs register = 46% • free school meals = 74.6%

These statistics reveal context on the families of the children, with 3/4 of the school falling below the minimum household income level in order to qualify for free school meals.

A follow-up inspection in January 2010, just a few months before the schools closure, showed that enrolment had declined down to 51, and a composite Year 1-3 class had been formed, with the number of classes being reduced from four to three.

The school availed of intensive support for numeracy and literacy from the Belfast Education and Library Board’s Curriculum Advisorys Support Services, as part of the ‘Achieving Belfast’ Programme.

City Of Belfast Boxing Academy

After the primary school shut down, the City Of Belfast Boxing Academy started up in the school in 2011, aiming at overcoming the sectarian divisions.

Belfast is a boxing city, with a rich history of boxing success.

It also helps the people of the Short Strand area with staying healthy, whilst creating the routine and discpline, that comes with all sport.

The club is available for all ages, including adults, and is still currently running within the building over a decade later.