New £600k RAISE scheme offers extra literacy and transition support for P6 and P7 pupils
Tuesday 29 September 2026
Primary 6 and 7 pupils could receive additional literacy and numeracy support, alongside help preparing for the move to post-primary education, under a new programme backed by up to £600,000.
The initiative is being delivered through the Department of Education’s existing RAISE programme, which already operates in Ballymena and 17 other localities across Northern Ireland.
Schools can apply for funding to provide targeted support during the 2026/27 academic year, including one-to-one help, small-group sessions or team teaching.
Two strands of support
The Primary Literacy and Numeracy / Transitions Support Programme has two elements — a Primary Literacy and Numeracy Support Scheme and a Transition Partnership Scheme.
Participating primary schools will be able to receive between £1,000 and £4,000 for literacy and numeracy support, depending on the number of pupils enrolled in their Primary 6 and Primary 7 year groups.
The Transition Partnership Scheme will strengthen links between primary and post-primary schools, with the aim of giving pupils a more structured move from Primary 7 into Year 8.
Partnership clusters, led by a post-primary school and involving at least two feeder primary schools, can receive funding of up to £5,000.
Building confidence before Year 8
Education Minister Paul Givan said:
“Improving literacy and numeracy and supporting children as they move from primary to post-primary education are key elements in laying foundations for improved educational outcomes.
“This Programme is aimed at improving literacy and numeracy attainment among Primary 6 and Primary 7 pupils through additional one to one, small group or team teaching support to targeted pupils before entry to post-primary education.
“The Programme will also facilitate a more structured transition experience for pupils moving from Primary 7 to Year 8, delivered through partnerships between post-primary schools and feeder primary schools.”
Participation is voluntary, with schools asked to develop proposals tailored to their pupils or partnership cluster and deliver targeted interventions during the 2026/27 academic year.
Existing RAISE work in Ballymena
The new initiative is one of a series of cross-cutting projects being delivered through RAISE, alongside the programme’s existing locality-led work.
Ballymena is already one of RAISE’s 18 Northern Ireland localities, with its Strategic Area Plan published in September 2025. The local RAISE area covers Ballee, Ballykeel, Castle Demesne, Dunclug, Fair Green, Harryville and Moat.
RAISE is funded through the Shared Island Fund and represents an investment of £20 million/€24 million over two years, with the potential for further funding.
Mr Givan added:
“This new initiative will be a valuable element of the RAISE Programme, delivering targeted pupil support and smoother, more effective transitions to post-primary education. I would encourage primary and post-primary school leaders to consider how this Programme could benefit their pupils and submit an Expression of Interest.”
Schools face Thursday deadline
Expressions of Interest are now open, with schools required to submit applications by noon on Thursday 1 October 2026.
Online Expression of Interest forms and programme guidance are available from the Department of Education at:
For participating schools, the funding could mean additional targeted teaching for pupils who need it and closer working between primary and post-primary schools ahead of the move into Year 8.
