Landscape Review of the Education Authority published

The Department of Education has today published an independent ‘Landscape Review’ of the Education Authority (EA).

The Review was undertaken on behalf of the Department by the consultancy firm Baker Tilly Mooney Moore. Its purpose was to consider the overall operation and governance of the EA, and the extent to which it is effectively able to deliver against stated Executive and Departmental priorities.

The Report makes thirteen recommendations, which are focused on the themes of:

• the future form, function and financing of the EA;
• improvements required to support organisational effectiveness; and
• governance, accountability and relationships which will support future EA effectiveness.

Key issues highlighted in the report include the need for EA to improve communications and responsiveness; to better meet the expectations of the EA’s many stakeholders; and the importance of making education services more child-centric.

The Report highlights progress made within the EA in recent years, including enhancements to governance; an improved approach to strategic planning and performance; strong alignment with the draft Programme for Government and the Department’s priorities. It also notes examples of good practice and emerging innovation.

Publishing the report, Education Minister Michelle McIlveen said: “In commissioning this review, my Department’s priority was to ensure the delivery of the best possible services for our children and young people throughout the education system. While the Report identifies that some progress has been made within the EA, it is clear that more needs to be done.

“My Department is fully committed to working with the EA to progress the issues identified in the report, and to shape the continuing improvement of the organisation. Officials in the Department and the EA are already developing implementation plans, informed by the report’s recommendations, to respond to the issues raised.”

A copy of the report is available at: https://www.education-ni.gov.uk/publications/landscape-review-education-authority-ea

Notes to editors: 

1. Baker Tilly Mooney Moore were appointed by DE to undertake an independent “Landscape Review” of the EA in October 202 The Review commenced in November 2021 and took six months to complete. This is the first such review of the EA since the organisation was established in 2015 to replace the former Education and Library Boards, forming a unitary regional body.
2. As part of the review, Baker Tilly Mooney Moore engaged with a wide range of stakeholders to inform their findings and recommendations. This included schools and Boards of Governors; parents and pupils; partner bodies and representative organisations; the EA Board and Executive officers; as well as DE officials, Minister and the Education Committee.

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4. Media enquiries to the Department of Education Press Office Tel: 028 9127 9207 or email: Press.Office@education-ni.gov.uk.

5. The Executive Information Service operates an out-of-hours service for media enquiries only between 1800hrs and 0800hrs Monday to Friday and at weekends and public holidays. The duty press officer can be contacted on 028 9037 8110.

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