Chief Inspector: There is excellent capacity in education and training but too many learners are not being served well

Noelle Buick, Chief Inspector of the Education and Training Inspectorate (ETI) today launched her biennial report covering the period 2014-2016.

The report sets out areas of achievement as well as the key challenges facing education and training in Northern Ireland and emphasises the need for 'Working as One...with Success for Everyone'.

Speaking at the launch at Riddel Hall, Noelle said:

“Education and training continues to improve and has many positives which should be celebrated.  There are many exceptional leaders, teachers, trainers and lecturers that put the learners needs and success above all else.

“Education is continuing to improve with 84% of pre-school settings, 79% of primary schools and 86% of post-primary schools evaluated as having a high level capacity or capacity to identify and bring about improvement. 

“Six out of the eight special schools and seven out of the 12 EOTAS centres were also evaluated as having a high level of capacity or capacity to identify and bring about improvement as well as 68% of youth organisations and 67% of work-based learning organisations inspected.”

On qualifications, Mrs Buick said:

“The percentage of pupils attaining three or more GCE A levels at grades A*-C remained steady at around 65%.  The proportion of school leavers, including those on free school meals, achieving at least five GCSEs at grades A*-C, or equivalent, including GCSE English and mathematics, has increased.”

Highlighting the quality of learning and teaching, she said:

“We observed over 11,000 lessons and training sessions and found the quality of learning and teaching to be primarily good or better.  The most effective teachers inspire learners.

“All of these strengths are underpinned by strong strategic leadership. However, we must not be complacent.  As I said in the last Chief Inspector’s Report, ‘we must continue to aim higher, enable more and expect better’ to ensure that all learners achieve their full potential.” 

Noelle continued by highlighting the challenges facing education.  She said:

“Too many pupils still receive an education that is not good enough. While more pupils are achieving overall, the gap between those entitled to free school meals and those not, remains an issue.  It is unacceptable that boys continue to underperform in exams compared to girls, with this trend most marked in non-grammar schools.  There is also a need to improve the achievements and standards for Looked After Children.

“We must build resilience through providing good personal capability and thinking skills and access to a preventive curriculum that meets the complex challenges faced by learners today.

“Most organisations are becoming much better at self-evaluation and prioritising improvement however, they must continue to develop internal capacity further. Where improvements are needed, in many cases there needs to be more rapid and effective action for the benefit of the learners.  There is also a role for Governors in understanding how a school is doing and having sufficient information to be able to challenge and understand how well their learners are doing.” 

Commenting on the inspection process, the Chief Inspector said:

“The learner is at the centre of all that we do in the ETI and the decisions that we make.  Inspection is an important catalyst for raising standards for all learners.  It promotes improvement through ensuring that best practice is highlighted and that poor provision is identified, supported and improved.  Of the 123 organisations that had follow-up inspections, 77% were able to demonstrate improvement.”

In conclusion, Noelle highlighted that the excellent capacity within and across the sectors of education and training will help to meet and resolve the challenges ahead.  She said:

“Tackling the issues will require much more joint working across government departments and the outcomes focused approach is a key pinnacle of the new Programme for Government 2016-21.  It also requires more joined up working between stakeholders and parents if we are to be successful and really make a difference.  To that end the theme of this report is Working as One...with Success for Everyone.”

Notes to editors: 

1. Follow us on Twitter @education_NI
2. See photos from the Department of Education in our flickr collection.
3. Media enquiries to the Department of Education Press Office Tel: 028 9127 9207. Out of office hours, contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 0762 397 4383, and your call will be returned.

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