Paul Givan marks first year of TransformED reforms in Ballymena

Education Minister pictured at the TransformED One Year On School Leaders’ Conference in Ballymena with (l to r), Garry Matthewson, Daniel T. Willingham, Hardip Begol CBE, Christine Counsell OBE, Carl Hendrick, Noeleen Tiffney, Alistair Hamill and Dr Harold Hislop.

Education Minister Paul Givan has declared Northern Ireland’s sweeping TransformED education reform programme is now entering its “most critical phase” as more than 1,500 school leaders, teachers and international experts gathered in Ballymena to review progress one year after the initiative launched.

The first annual TransformED Progress Report was unveiled during the TransformED One Year On School Leaders’ Conference in Ballymena, marking what the Department of Education describes as a decisive shift from planning and policy design into full delivery across schools.

The report forms the centrepiece of a week-long programme of education events taking place across Northern Ireland, bringing together senior education figures, classroom practitioners and internationally recognised experts to shape the next phase of reform.

Major reforms now moving into delivery phase

(L-R) Lucy Crehan explores evidence informed curricula and what it means for ambition and equity; Alistair Hamill discusses bringing the curriculum to life with effective teaching; Noeleen Tiffney explores the opportunity of a new curriculum; Carl Hendrick sharing insights on ‘The Evidence Informed School’; and cognitive psychologist, Daniel T. Willingham exploring how knowledge and skills work together.

At the heart of the programme is a major overhaul of curriculum, assessment, qualifications, school improvement and teacher development across Northern Ireland’s education system.

The Department said the updated delivery plan outlines how reforms will now move “decisively from design to delivery”, with a renewed emphasis on classroom implementation rather than consultation and planning alone.

According to the report, key developments during the first year of TransformED include:

• expansion of teacher professional learning programmes

• publication of a new Literacy Framework for primary schools

• development of new curriculum, assessment and qualifications frameworks

• continued investment through the RAISE Programme aimed at tackling educational disadvantage

• publication of a new Curriculum Framework for Initial Teacher Education designed to improve classroom readiness for newly qualified teachers

The Department said the programme is built around the principle that long-term improvement in education depends on sustained investment in teaching quality, backed by strong policy and evidence-based reform.

Ballymena conference brings international education figures to Northern Ireland

The Ballymena conference is one of several major TransformED events taking place this week and reflects the scale of the reform programme now underway across Northern Ireland’s schools sector.

Among those contributing to the programme are internationally recognised education experts Daniel T. Willingham, Christine Counsell, Tim Oates and Lucy Crehan, alongside local school leaders and practitioners.

The Department said the involvement of international contributors is intended to ensure reforms are informed by global evidence and best practice while remaining grounded in local educational experience.

Events throughout the week include literacy-focused professional learning sessions as well as dedicated conferences for vice-principals and school leaders.

Minister says schools will not be expected to carry reform alone

Education Minister Paul Givan speaking at today’s conference in Ballymena

Speaking at the Ballymena conference, Mr Givan described TransformED as “one of the most ambitious and far-reaching education reform programmes Northern Ireland has ever undertaken.”

He said the first annual report demonstrated “real momentum across the system”, adding that reforms were rooted in trust in teachers and focused on improving classroom learning.

“As we move into the next phase, the priority is delivery,” the Minister said.

“Reform of curriculum, qualifications and assessment will be carefully paced, properly supported and grounded in partnership, so that schools and teachers are not asked to carry change alone.”

The Minister also signalled that the next 12 months will focus heavily on consultation around a new statutory curriculum alongside further assessment reform and expanded support for school leadership.

Next phase expected to shape classrooms across Northern Ireland

The reforms are expected to have long-term implications for schools, teachers and pupils across Northern Ireland, including in the Ballymena area, as new curriculum models, teaching frameworks and assessment systems are developed and introduced.

The Department said upcoming priorities include:

• consultation on a new statutory curriculum

• development of new curriculum resources

• continued reform of assessment and qualifications

• expanded leadership support for schools

• sustained investment in professional learning for teachers

Concluding his address, Mr Givan said he believed the reforms would create “a fairer, richer and more ambitious educational experience for every learner in Northern Ireland.”

He added that the coming year would be critical in ensuring the programme moves beyond policy discussions and into “consistent, high-quality classroom practice across the system.”

The TransformED First Annual Progress Report and Updated Delivery Plan can be viewed on the Department of Education’s TransformED Hub at Department of Education TransformED Hub.