Providing Inspection Services for Department of Education Department for Employment and Learning Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure EDUCATION IN NORTHERN IRELAND APRIL 2010

Education in NI is administered at both central and local level. Public education in schools is administered centrally by the Department of Education assisted by a range of public bodies including the five Education and Library Boards which administer education at local level. Further and higher education is administered centrally by the Department for Employment and Learning. EDUCATION ADMINISTRATION IN NORTHERN IRELAND - PRESENT

A new Education and Skills Authority (ESA) is being established which will assume responsibility for all aspects of education in schools except education policy and strategy. EDUCATION ADMINISTRATION IN NORTHERN IRELAND - FUTURE

learners in schools and pre- education centres 6744 in pre-education centres 5857 in nursery schools Year 1-7 children in primary schools SCHOOL POPULATION 2009/2010

STATISTICS students in grant-maintained secondary and grammar schools ( / ) learners in special schools 227 learners in hospital schools 656 learners in independent schools

“There is much good work in the education, training and youth sectors. A majority of children, young people and adult learners continue to achieve well. Inspectors recognise the good work of many teachers, lecturers, youth workers, and of officers who work for a wide range of support organisations. CONCLUSION OF CHIEF INSPECTOR’S REPORT

THE CHALLENGES There are still about one in five young people who do not achieve as well as they should. All of those involved in the education, training and youth sectors must work together to ensure that all young people have the same opportunities to achieve their best.”

4 500 children leave primary school without basic literacy and numeracy skills. By the end of Year 12 almost young people leave post-primary schools without 5 good GCSEs including English and mathematics. 40% of school leavers continue to higher education. (Boys – 32.6% Girls – 47.3%) Almost 30% of school leavers continue to further education compared with 27% in % of girls continue their education after school compared with 62% of boys STATISTICS

3.5% of young people leaving school in 2008 became unemployed compared with 4.3% in 2004 School leavers not entitled to free school meals are more likely to continue their education (72.8%) compared to 50.9% of leavers who were entitled to free school meals Twice as many boys (581) leave school with no qualifications compared to girls (296) 82.6% of year old boys and 91.1% of year old girls are in full-time education or vocational training

To raise standards for all. To close the gap in achievement by improving access and equity. To enhance the quality of teaching by developing the workforce. To improve the learning environment through targeted investment. To transform management by cutting out bureaucracy and delivering the support that schools need. THE MINISTER’S PROMISE

Revised Curriculum Entitlement Framework (24/27) Every School a Good School Early Years Strategy Revised Literacy and Numeracy Strategy Sustainable School’s Policy ONGOING PROGRAMMES TO IMPROVE EDUCATION IN NI

THE CHALLENGES Counselling service in all post-primary schools Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) Transfer from primary to post-primary education – end of academic selection Success through Skills – The Skills Strategy for NI

Vocational pathways from age 14 – greater emphasis on skills Earlier diagnosis and intervention to address learning and emotional difficulties Improved links with social and criminal justice agencies FOCUS ON THE DISAFFECTED