Northern Ireland

The latest news, analysis, investigations and professional advice covering everything to do with the education sector in Northern Ireland

Monday

29th Jan 2024

Northern Ireland’s transfer tests: what you need to know
A new common system of transfer tests is the biggest change to post-primary selection in Northern Ireland since the end of the old 11-plus in 2008
Northern Ireland’s transfer tests: what you need to know

Thursday

18th Jan 2024

Schools at forefront of landmark NI strike action
Failure of teacher pay in Northern Ireland to keep pace with rest of UK has brought ‘crisis’ to the profession, say school leaders
Schools at forefront of landmark Northern Ireland strike action

Tuesday

9th Jan 2024

New sex education guidance for NI schools
Northern Ireland schools receive advice on changes to RSE and lessons on issues such as birth control and abortion rights
RSE guidance

Friday

29th Dec 2023

Ruth Miskin appointed Dame in New Year Honours
Academy trust CEOs, heads and teachers among the appointees in the King’s New Year Honours list
King's new years honours list

Wednesday

20th Dec 2023

Northern Ireland Sendco workload ‘insurmountable’
Children with special educational needs are being ‘failed’ by inadequate funding and a lack of access to specialist support in Northern Ireland, educators warn
SEN support: Sendcos in Northern Ireland schools face 'insurmountable' workload, educators have warned

Monday

18th Dec 2023

Northern Ireland teachers announce new strike action
Five unions are set to take part in the 24-hour teacher strike over pay in January
Teacher strike

Wednesday

13th Dec 2023

NI education review finds huge funds gap
‘Radical’ reforms for Northern Ireland’s schools on the cards after publication of long-awaited report
Budget shortfall

Thursday

7th Dec 2023

NI leaders demand end of ‘chronic underfunding’
Pupils in Northern Ireland should be entitled to the same level of investment as those in England, Scotland or Wales, say seven key NI education leaders
Underfunding

Wednesday

29th Nov 2023

NI teachers strike in long-running pay dispute
Unions say teacher pay in Northern Ireland compares badly with other parts of the UK but they are still hearing ‘excuses’ over the lack of a deal
Teachers in Northern Ireland strike over long-running pay dispute

Tuesday

31st Oct 2023

Absence crisis in NI: ‘Schools can’t resolve it alone’
After Northern Ireland endures its worst-ever year for school attendance, officials blame the impact of Covid and mental health issues
Absence crisis in NI: 'Schools can’t resolve it alone

Friday

13th Oct 2023

NI heads deliver census returns by hand amid pay ‘gridlock’
The NAHT Northern Ireland school leaders’ union says it is ‘unprecedented’ that headteachers would take such action
Census delivery

Tuesday

3rd Oct 2023

Many NI pupils see languages as ‘too difficult’
Despite students who take languages in Northern Ireland finding lessons ‘fun and engaging’, pupils are put off taking the subjects at GCSE, warns new report
Difficult language