Summary
The Department progressed a consultation from 15 May – 10 July 2025 on proposals to strengthen legislation to protect inspection of schools and other educational establishments. The report setting out the outcome was published on 27 August 2025.
Documents
- Consultation Outcome Report
- Consultation Document
- Consultation Questionnaire - Strengthening Inspection Legislation
- Completed screening form of Strengthening Inspection Legislation
- Consultation Document - Strengthening Inspection Legislation - Irish Version
- Consultation Questionnaire - Strengthening Inspection Legislation - Irish Version
Consultation description
The consultation involved proposals for change to strengthen existing legislation to protect the inspection process in schools and other education and training establishments in Northern Ireland. The preferred approach was to progress a Bill to ensure full cooperation with the inspection process by making it an offence to intentionally obstruct the process; bringing Northern Ireland legislation in line with that in Scotland, Wales, England and the Republic of Ireland.
Consultation Outcome
The Consultation Outcome Report was published on 27 August 2025, summarising the 2723 responses and setting out the next steps. While a majority of teaching staff opposed the change, a significant number of parents - particularly those not also responding as teachers - expressed support. The Department has considered the consultation responses in detail and has reviewed the comments made and information provided by respondents against a wide range of international evidence and in the context of the legal frameworks in other jurisdictions and approaches to inspection elsewhere.
The Department considers that there is strong empirical educational evidence in favour of the proposed approach to safeguard inspection by requiring cooperation, aligning Northern Ireland with best practice across the UK and Ireland.
The Minister of Education remains committed to progressing a standalone Bill to strengthen the education inspection framework as a necessary and critical step to safeguard children, prioritise their needs and ensure that the education system remains accountable, transparent and focused on continuous improvement.
The Department would like to thank all those who responded and its report.
Ways to respond
Consultation closed — responses are no longer being accepted.