“Only the beginning”: Paul Givan updates Assembly on Northern Ireland TransformED education reforms

Education Minister Paul Givan has praised the early progress of TransformED, the Department of Education’s flagship reform strategy, during a wide-ranging update to the Northern Ireland Assembly.

Launched in March 2025, TransformED aims to learn from the world’s best-performing education systems while addressing the specific challenges facing schools in Northern Ireland.

Mr Givan told MLAs:

“TransformED sets out a bold, long-term vision to elevate education in Northern Ireland to world-class standards. We are not tinkering at the edges—we are transforming the core of our education system.

“This is not just about policy updates—it’s about creating a culture where teaching is recognised as a highly respected profession, where every student is given the tools to thrive, and where schools are empowered to lead real change.

”What we’ve achieved in just six months is significant—but this is only the beginning. TransformED is our blueprint for excellence, and together with educators, parents and pupils, we’re shaping an education system that is fit for the future.”

Progress in the first six months

Since its launch, several key initiatives have already been rolled out, including:

• A £31 million Teacher Professional Learning Fund, giving schools per-teacher funding for high-quality, evidence-based training.

• The launch of a new online CPD Academy, with 145 of Northern Ireland’s 190 post-primary schools signed up, benefiting more than 6,000 teachers.

• The Making Best Practice Common Practice programme, designed to bridge the gap between academic research and classroom delivery.

• Funding for 50 school-led research-informed conferences to spread effective teaching methods.

• A Science of Learning newsletter providing educators with research-based insights.

• An expanded induction programme for early career teachers.

Curriculum and assessment reform

Curriculum and assessment are central pillars of the TransformED agenda. Steps already taken include:

• The publication of an independent Strategic Review of the Northern Ireland Curriculum, led by international education policy expert Lucy Crehan.

• The establishment of a Curriculum Taskforce, chaired by Christine Counsell OBE.

• A forthcoming curriculum conference for school leaders.

• The formation of an Independent Review of Assessment Panel, chaired by Tim Oates CBE, which is reviewing Northern Ireland’s current assessment arrangements.

The Department has also begun piloting new system-level sample assessments in literacy and numeracy for Years 4, 7 and 10, while expanding Computer Adaptive Assessment to a record 522 schools from September 2025.

Next steps

Looking ahead, the Minister confirmed that a public consultation on GCSE and A Level reform will launch next week. The review will focus on reducing exam overload and ensuring deeper student learning.

Mr Givan added:

“As we begin this new academic year, our focus is clear and we are delivering at pace. In the months ahead, we will be supporting schools to make full use of the TransformED Teacher Professional Learning Fund, helping to embed high-quality, evidence-based professional development across the system.

“We’ll also be deepening our reform of the curriculum and qualifications, ensuring that what and how we teach truly prepares our young people for the future. New strategies for literacy, numeracy and school improvement will be launched, alongside key legislative work to strengthen school inspection and raise the education participation age to 18.

“We’ve made remarkable progress—and that’s only the beginning. TransformED is our blueprint for excellence and empowerment. Together, we’re not just imagining a better future for our children—we’re building it.”