End-to-End Review of School Improvement
Background
The current school improvement policy, ‘Every School a Good School’ (ESaGS), has been in place since 2009. As teachers and school leaders will be aware, the ESaGS policy sets out the vision for a high-quality education system with a focus on raising standards across all schools and addressing the attainment gap between the most and least disadvantaged. While many of the principles outlined within the policy remain relevant, there is a recognition that it requires a refresh to consider change since that time including to the diversity and needs of our pupils, to legislation and/or policies across education.
To address this an End-to-End Review of School Improvement (the Review) was established in Spring 2023. Working collaboratively with key education stakeholders the end-to-end analysis approach provided a focus on how the current policy is operationalised and whether the policy intent is being realised to ensure that any emerging policy and implementation plan will be fully deliverable on the ground.
A number of workstreams were identified and agreed and a series of working groups were established to take forward the review in a number of the areas.
Update on the Review
A review of the School Development Planning (SDP) process was progressed under the End to End Review of School Improvement. This work is now complete and Education Minister, Paul Givan MLA, has agreed the proposals which will now be taken forward. An Executive Summary of the review findings can be found here.
Additionally, the Department undertook a Review of the use of Baker days and School Development Days (SDDs) to consider the need for ongoing provision of SDDs into the future. In February 2026, Education Minister Paul Givan MLA approved the recommendations stemming from the review and the Department will move to implement each as soon as possible. An Executive Summary of the Review can be viewed here
The other key elements of the Review are now being taken forward under TransformED, including the development of a new policy and a revised operational support model that includes a Leaders of Education Programme; strengthening inspection legislation to ensure the process can operate as intended at all times and undertaking an independent review of accountability.
Further information on TransformED can be found on the Department website: