On 28 July 2020, Education Minister, Peter Weir, MLA, announced the appointment of an Expert Panel to examine the links between educational underachievement and social disadvantage.
The panel has been established under the ‘New Decade, New Approach’ agreement which set out the requirement for an expert group “to examine and address links between persistent educational underachievement and socio-economic background..."
The chair and five panel members are: Dr Noel Purdy, Director of Research and Scholarship, Stranmillis University College; Mary Montgomery; Principal, Belfast Boys' Model School; Kathleen O’Hare, retired Principal, Hazelwood Integrated College and former Principal of St Cecilia’s College; Joyce Logue, Principal of Longtower Primary in Derry/Londonderry; Jackie Redpath, Chief Executive, Greater Shankill Partnership and Professor Feyisa Demie, Honorary Professor, Durham University.
The key objectives of the review include the requirement to examine the links between persistent educational underachievement and socio-economic background and produce specific actions to address this particular gap.
The Expert Panel has launched a survey seeking written views and evidence on links between educational underachievement and social disadvantage.
Your views are sought using the online survey, below.
If, for any reason, you are unable to access the survey, responses can be posted or emailed to the address below: