Information on school types in Northern Ireland
The education system in Northern Ireland consists of different types of schools under the control of management committees who are also the employers of teachers.
Controlled Schools
Controlled (nursery, primary, special, secondary and grammar schools) are under the management of the schools Board of Governors and the employing authority is the Education Authority (EA).
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The Controlled Schools’ Support Council (CSSC) is a non-statutory body, providing services in supporting and representing the controlled education sector.
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Maintained Schools
CSTS is a non-statutory body which provides professional assistance to the Trustees of Catholic-managed schools in support of DE policies.
Contact details:
- Home - Catholic Schools Trustee Service (catholiceducation-ni.org)
- Council for Catholic Maintained Schools (CCMS)
Irish-medium schools
Comhairle na Gaelscolaíochta (CnaG) is the NDPB set up to encourage and promote Irish-medium education.
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Other Maintained Schools
Primary, special and secondary.
Voluntary (grammar) and Integrated Schools
GBA is a non-statutory body which provides professional assistance to the voluntary grammar schools in support of DE policies.
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The Northern Ireland Council for Integrated Education (NICIE) is the NDPB set up to encourage and promote integrated education.
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Institutions of Further and Higher Education
For more information relating to Colleges of Further Education you can visit: