School Development Days
Review of the use of Baker Days and School Development Days
As part of the End to End Review of School Improvement, 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:
Guidance on School Development Days in 2026/27
Guidance on School Development Days in 2025/2026
Guidance on School Development Days in 2024/2025
Guidance on School Development Days in 2023/2024
Guidance on School Development Days in 2022/2023
Guidance on School Development Days in 2021/2022
Guidance on School Development Days in 2020/2021
- School Development Days 2020/21 - Letter to Schools
- 3rd Addendum to Circular 2016/04 - School Development Days
Guidance on School Development Days in 2019/2020
- School Development Days 2019/20 - Letter to Schools
- 2nd Addendum to Circular 2016/04 - School Development Days
Guidance on School Development Days in 2018/2019
- School Development Days 2018/19 - Letter to Schools
- Addendum to Circular 2016/04 - School Development Days
Guidance on School Development Days in 2016/17 to 2017/18
- Circular 2016/04 - School Development Days 2016/17 to 2017/18 School Years, issued by the Department of Education, sets out the arrangements for schools to take up to five School Development Days in the 2016/17 and 2017/18 school years (inclusive) to provide additional non-contact time to devote to school improvement matters.