Discussions of divisions and inequalities in the NI education system are summarised in a new report published by the IEF.

Transforming Education: a Conversation looks at an event held at Stormont last year to introduce a UU UNESCO Centre research project to an invited audience of politicians, education bodies and civic organisations.

The UU team of academics is working to examine and illuminate issues which impact on the delivery of education in NI. The idea of the ‘Transforming Education’ project is to encourage wider debate about education and schools, and to consider how we might develop a common system of education. Topics are explored in accessible reports and the project is supported by the Community Foundation NI and the IEF. (more…)

Department of Education release:

Consultation on proposed update to nutritional standards for school food

The Department of Education is seeking views on proposals to update the nutritional standards of food provided in grant-aided schools.

In 2007, the Nutritional Standards for School Lunches and Other Food and Drinks in Schools were developed in keeping with government guidance on healthy eating at that time. (more…)

Two integrated colleges – Malone IC in south-west Belfast and Hazelwood IC in north Belfast – are highlighted in a Department of Education study of best practice in supporting pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds.

A report of the study, entitled ‘Ten Features of Effective Schools’, has been published this week by the DE Tackling Educational Disadvantage team. It uses case studies from eight post-primary schools around NI. (more…)

Pupil representatives and staff from integrated schools joined politicians and the Integrated Education Fund at Stormont yesterday (Monday 20 January) to discuss the outcomes of a mental health conference for integrated schools. The conference last October brought together 154 people from integrated primary schools and colleges to consult on well-being in young people and on how to develop mental health support for pupils – and highlighted that the majority of young people there thought embarrassment would hold them back from seeking help. (more…)

You’re invited to join us for a conversation on isolated pairs of schools and sustainable education provision in rural areas.

Friday, 28 February 2020
10:00am – 1:00pm
Ranfurly House Arts & Visitor Centre
26 Market Square
Dungannon BT70 1AB

Ulster University’s Transforming Education project has recently produced a briefing paper called “Isolated Together: Pairs of Primary Schools Duplicating Provision”. The report highlights the need to look at education provision in areas where there are pairs of schools of different management types, i.e. where a Controlled and a Catholic Maintained primary school are located within 1 mile of each other and at least 3 miles away from alternative provision. The report suggests: “Were these schools to find arrangements to remove duplication and to become more sustainable they would be more likely to avoid closures, to the benefit of all sides of the local communities.” (more…)

Department of Education release:

Every child deserves the best start in life and to be nurtured and supported to help them reach their full potential, Education Minister, Peter Weir has said.

The Minister has outlined his key priorities during visits to two schools which will benefit from the School Enhancement Programme (SEP).

Riverside Special School in Antrim and St John the Baptist’s Primary School in Belfast are two of the 18 schools which, the Minister announced in the Assembly this week, will advance in planning under the second call to SEP. (more…)