Northern Ireland Centre for Educational Excellence and Improvement (CEEI)

The TransformED programme has made significant progress in developing a new, evidence-based policy framework for Northern Ireland in key areas that impact most on teaching and learning in the classroom.  As TransformED moves into delivery stage, it is vital that the policy ambition is translated into improved classroom practice and implemented at pace and scale.  Such implementation must be strategically led and sufficiently supported.  It is for this reason that the Northern Ireland Centre for Educational Excellence and Improvement has been established within the Department of Education from 1 September 2026. 

The Centre will provide a bridge between policy and practice, ensuring that schools receive high-quality, coordinated support.  The Centre will bring together the strategic leadership of curriculum, teacher professional learning, leadership development, school improvement, assessment and qualifications policy, and research and evaluation. It provides a dedicated body to coordinate activity and maintain a clear focus on educational improvement.

A core new support layer for school leaders has also been established from 1 September through the Leaders of Education Programme. Twelve highly experienced school leaders have been seconded into the Centre from 1 September, in the role of System Leader Partners (SLPs).  The SLPs will provide mentoring and coaching to schools facing challenge and additionally their insight will help to shape TransformED policy and assist in developing support for effective implementation.

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The brochure below provides more detailed information about the new Centre and its initial priorities for the 2026-27 academic year. The Centre will work alongside existing delivery partners to coordinate support for schools and to lead key elements of TransformED implementation. 

Schools should continue to access support through existing channels, but over time will see the Centre taking an increasingly visible role. Its services and programmes will expand progressively throughout the academic year as implementation arrangements develop and additional programmes come onstream.

Link to Brochure on the Centre