RAISE Cross-Cutting Initiatives
RAISE Strategic Area Plans are complemented by a series of cross-cutting initiatives
RAISE Strategic Area Plans are complemented by a series of cross-cutting initiatives that will span across RAISE areas and beyond to address common issues alongside locality led projects.
RAISE Cross-Cutting Initiatives Stakeholder Update
To date, eight cross-cutting initiatives have been identified to be delivered in the 2025/26 and 2026/27 academic years. These are:
A Supporting Effective Professional Learning Clusters Programme will aim to support collaborative professional learning clusters in partnership with Higher Education Institutions.
An Online Science of Learning Programme will deliver an online professional learning programme for teachers on the Science of Learning.
A new Reading with AI research study evaluating how AI tools can support literacy. The study is led by Oxford Brookes University, using Amira Learning, a reading support tool, aligned with research-informed approaches to early literacy and powered by AI.
A Learning to Code Schools Programme will provide opportunities for children and young people to improve their digital literacy.
A Primary Literacy and Numeracy / Transitions Support Programme will support schools to run high-quality primary literacy and numeracy revision and support classes during the Halloween and Easter holidays and after schools for pupils preparing to transfer to post-primary schools (Year 6 and 7).
A Holiday Revision Support Programme that will support schools to run high-quality revision schemes during the Halloween and Easter holidays for pupils preparing for public examinations (GCSEs, A-Levels and equivalent qualifications).
An Alternative Education Models Pilot will include research into alternative models of education and a small scale pilot testing potential approaches.
Scoil Spreagtha is an accredited Scheme to Introduce Irish language Learning across participating English-medium primary schools to promote both educational achievement and cultural enrichment. The scheme encourages schools to showcase and expand their use of Irish in everyday practice and celebrates those demonstrating a commitment to the language.
The RAISE Active Schools Programme is a multisport Physical Education initiative delivered across primary schools to enhance pupil engagement, attendance and wellbeing, while building sustainable capacity within schools to support high‑quality curriculum‑aligned Physical Education and positive learning behaviours. The Programme will be delivered during the 2026/27 academic year.
Expressions of Interest were invited from primary schools across Northern Ireland to participate in the RAISE Active Schools Programme. Applications closed on Friday 8 May 2026.
Full details of the Programme, including eligibility, delivery model and school commitments, are available in the RAISE Active Schools Programme – Call for Expressions of Interest document RAISE Active Schools Programme - Call for Expressions of Interest | Department of Education