Literacy
Literacy is a core part of the TransformED strategy, reflecting the commitment to ensuring every child becomes a confident reader, writer and communicator. The strategy recognises literacy as a foundational skill that unlocks opportunity and helps close long-standing attainment gaps.
Literacy guidance
Strong Foundations: A Literacy Framework for Primary Schools was published in December 2025. This framework provides clear, evidence‑based guidance for strengthening oracy, reading and writing across all primary schools. It is rooted in international research and tailored to the needs of Northern Ireland’s learners.
TransformED Literacy Symposium
The TransformED Literacy Symposium, held in December 2025, brought together more than 500 educators, researchers and literacy specialists from Northern Ireland and beyond.
Literacy Webinars
To support schools and educators to understand and implement the Literacy Framework, the Department is providing a range of supplementary resources, including webinars and PowerPoint presentations.
Together, these resources are designed to offer practical insights, clarify key concepts, and support effective approaches to literacy teaching across primary education.
Strong Foundations Literacy Conference
In May 2026, literacy experts and educators from across Northern Ireland came together to explore evidence-based literacy practice and its alignment with the new Literacy Framework. The conference featured contributions from Education Minister Paul Givan MLA, Dr Jennifer Buckingham OAM and Dr Geraldine Magennis Clarke, alongside school practitioners who shared successful approaches to oracy, phonics and spelling, and their impact on teaching and learning.