School Development Planning

Every School a Good School (ESaGS)

Every School a Good School – A Policy for School Improvement emphasises that school improvement is first and foremost the responsibility of the school. It is based on the premise that schools themselves are best placed to identify areas for improvement and to implement changes that can bring about better outcomes for pupils.

Self-evaluation leading to sustained self-improvement is therefore at the core of the school improvement policy. Effective self-evaluation, and the actions that flow from it, should deliver improved educational outcomes and experiences for all pupils. Self-evaluation must be an integral part of the school development planning process with the resulting actions and targets captured in School Development Plans (SDPs).

The SDP is a strategic plan for improvement. It should bring together, in a clear and simple way, the school’s priorities, the main measures it will take to raise standards, the resources dedicated to these, and the key outcomes and targets it intends to achieve.

Article 13(3) of the 1998 Education Order places a duty on Boards of Governors, through the scheme of management, to prepare, and periodically revise, a SDP. In doing so, Boards of Governors are required to consult the principal and consider any guidance provided by the Department of Education, Education Authority (EA), and, in the case of Catholic maintained schools, CCMS, and also any inspection findings.

Following a fundamental review of the School Development Planning process (see details below) the Department has updated the statutory requirements around the development of School Development Plans (SDPs).  The Education (School Development Plans) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2026 which came into effect on 1 August 2026 set out the:

• Matters to be addressed in school development plans
• The period for which a school development plan is to have effect
• Arrangements for publication of a school development plan
• Requirements around the monitoring, review, and revision of school development plan

The new Regulations revoke the former Regulations - The Education (School Development Planning) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2010.  Further guidance for schools is available below.

School Development Planning Process Review 2024 Executive Summary

A review of the School Development Planning (SDP) process was progressed under the End to End Review of School Improvement. This work is now complete and Education Minister, Paul Givan MLA, has agreed the proposals which will now be taken forward. You can view the executive summary of the review here.

Guidance on School Development Planning for 2026/27

This new guidance, co-designed by a working group consisting of school leaders and representatives from the Department, the EA and CCMS, has been developed to align to the new Regulations. 

It sets out the new process to be followed, implementing the findings of the review.  The new process is designed to reduce bureaucracy and unnecessary workloads associated with the SDP process by streamlining requirements and ensuring that planning process is more impactful for the school community.

Schools who are in the process of completing a legacy three-year school development planning process may continue to complete this cycle in the normal way. All other schools should move to the new process. 

The new guidance is accessible through the link below:

Guidance on School Development Planning for 2026/27 | Department of Education