Morning, Wednesday, 15th January 2025
Online
This conference focuses on next steps for the education sector in Northern Ireland.
It will bring together stakeholders with policymakers to discuss key priorities following the publication of The Independent Review of Education in Northern Ireland, outlining key recommendations to tackle educational inequalities, widen educational pathways and bolster the teaching workforce.
We are pleased to be able to include a keynote session with the Minister for Education, Paul Givan MLA. Further senior contributors are being approached.
Looking at supporting educational improvement for all learners across NI, areas for discussion include investing in early childhood education as a means of early intervention in tackling educational disadvantage, as well as priorities for narrowing existing educational disparities and improving student outcomes.
Delegates will discuss implementation of recommendations from the Expert Panel on Educational Underachievement’s A Fair Start report, and improving the understanding student attainment gaps due to socio-economic background, types of schools and gender.
Further areas for discussion include support for vulnerable learners and pupil wellbeing, and remedying impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on learning progression. We also expect discussion on key issues around alternative provision.
The agenda also looks at priorities for improving educational attainment in NI, the future of curricula and qualifications across the education system.
We expect discussion on options for curriculum review and refreshment, and the proposal for separating CCEA’s curriculum and assessment function. Recommendations intended to widen academic pathways for learners will also be considered, such as raising the age of compulsory education to 18, opening vocational pathways from the age of 14, and widening measures of assessment beyond exam performance to a broader understanding of learner success.
Delegates will also look at priorities for the teaching workforce and the potential to develop a workforce strategy, with discussion on teacher training and retention, options for a review of the Jordanstown Agreement and improving working conditions, measures for continuous professional development, and next steps for the establishment of an Education Workforce Council.
All delegates will be able to contribute to the output of the conference, which will be shared with parliamentary, ministerial, departmental and regulatory offices, and more widely. This includes the full proceedings and additional articles submitted by delegates.
