Education Minister launches Online Teacher CPD Academy for Northern Ireland’s post-primary teachers

Education Minister Paul Givan has officially launched a pioneering Online Teacher Continued Professional Development (CPD) Academy, set to deliver high-quality, evidence-informed training to Northern Ireland’s post-primary teaching workforce.

The new CPD platform, developed in partnership with educational training specialist InnerDrive, will provide teachers with accessible, research-driven professional development aimed at improving classroom outcomes and fostering a culture of continuous improvement across schools.

“This partnership with InnerDrive reflects our dedication to equipping teachers with cutting-edge tools to meet the evolving needs of our students,” said Mr Givan.

“By delivering accessible, research-driven professional learning, we are fostering a culture of continuous improvement, ensuring better outcomes for young people across Northern Ireland.”

The Teacher CPD Academy offers a range of interactive, on-demand courses grounded in the latest findings from cognitive science. Key topics include Cognitive Load Theory, Retrieval Practice, and Metacognition – all proven to enhance teaching strategies and learning retention.

“As well as helping teachers to keep up to date with educational research,” the Minister added, “the Teacher CPD Academy will also help teachers to learn practical strategies that will help to make a difference in the classroom. Each course also has a discussion forum where staff can ask questions and exchange teaching and learning ideas with other educators from around the world.”

Over 6,000 post-primary teachers in Northern Ireland are set to benefit from this initiative. The platform, developed by InnerDrive’s team of psychologists and former educators, enables schools to design bespoke CPD programmes tailored to their specific needs, with the ultimate aim of raising student attainment.

The rollout of the Online Teacher CPD Academy forms a central component of the TransformED Strategy, the Department of Education’s blueprint for enhancing the professional learning ecosystem across Northern Ireland.

Mr Givan highlighted the broader ambition of the programme:

“This is an exciting opportunity for our post primary schools and I am delighted that so many have chosen to participate in this programme. I hope to launch a further programme for primary schools in the near future.”

Background and Implementation

As part of the implementation process, an Expression of Interest was issued to all post-primary schools earlier this year. Schools that confirmed participation will be registered on the CPD Academy platform in preparation for the upcoming academic year.

The Department of Education views the expansion of professional learning access and engagement with educational research as essential pillars in modernising the education system.

With InnerDrive’s expertise in applying cognitive science to education, the CPD Academy is expected to become a cornerstone of professional learning for Northern Ireland’s teaching professionals, helping to build a more dynamic, informed, and effective teaching workforce.

The Teacher CPD Academy can be accessed via: Evidence-informed Training Courses | Teacher CPD Academy

Prioritising Teacher Professional Learning and improving access to research are key commitments within the Department’s Education Strategy, TransformED NI.

Schools registered via the Expression of Interest process will gain access to the Academy in time for the new academic year.