Givan launches bespoke Curriculum Reform for Special Schools and Irish-medium education
Date published:
Education Minister, Paul Givan, has announced plans for the design and development of new tailored curriculum frameworks for both Special and Irish-medium schools.
Applications are now open for practitioners and school leaders to join dedicated working groups to support this important work.
Inviting applications, the Minister said:
“Over the past 10 months, local educators have been at the heart of our curriculum reform programme. Their expertise, insight and lived experience have been vital in shaping a curriculum that is both ambitious and responsive to the diverse needs of learners across Northern Ireland.
“We have been working to develop a curriculum that is ambitious, well-sequenced and progressive. Building on this foundation, I am now taking forward targeted work to develop a bespoke curriculum for Special Schools and bespoke curriculum strands to support Irish-medium education. It is essential that this work is shaped by those with direct, frontline experience.”
The Strategic Review of the Northern Ireland Curriculum found that the current curriculum does not adequately meet the needs of many pupils in Special Schools or those educated through the medium of Irish.
Paul Givan continued:
“I want to ensure that the new Northern Ireland curriculum fully reflects the needs of pupils in Special Schools, supporting learning that is accessible, meaningful and tailored to individual development. I also want to strengthen provision for Irish-medium education to ensure pupils can access the same ambitious curriculum as their peers, while recognising the distinct linguistic, developmental and pedagogical demands of immersion learning.”
The Minister has appointed Professor Noel Purdy OBE to lead the development of the bespoke curriculum framework for Special Schools, supported by James Curran MBE, Principal of Harberton Special School, as vice-chair.
Speaking on appointment to the role, Professor Purdy said:
“This is vitally important work and represents a significant opportunity to create a world-leading curriculum framework that places accessible, meaningful and developmentally appropriate learning at its heart for pupils across the range of special school contexts.”
Gaelscoil na bhFál Principal, Orla Flanagan, on secondment to the Department of Education, will coordinate the development of dedicated curriculum strands for Irish-medium education.
Over the coming months, the Department will publish additional curriculum materials and commission further workstreams to support implementation. These will include a new Religious Education syllabus, evidence-informed pedagogical principles to support effective classroom practice, and a Key Stage 4 and post-16 enrichment curriculum designed to broaden pupils’ educational experiences and preparation for adult life.
Further information about the practitioner working groups is available on the Department of Education’s website: www.education-ni.gov.uk/articles/curriculum-reform.
Notes to editors:
1. Working groups will be operational from September 2026.
2. Those who meet the criteria are invited to complete an online application via Citizen Space –
a. Special Schools: https://consultations.nidirect.gov.uk/de/specialschoolsworkinggroup
b. IME: https://consultations.nidirect.gov.uk/de/imschoolsworkinggroup
3. The Special Schools Practitioner Working Group will:
- review current curriculum approaches across Special Schools;
- identify core curriculum entitlements for pupils;
- develop a flexible non-linear progression model; and
- produce draft curriculum content and implementation guidance.
4. IME Working groups will be established across:
- Irish;
- English and biliteracy;
- Mathematics;
- History, Geography and Science; and
- Language acquisition through History, Geography and Science at Foundation Stage.
5. All applications must be submitted by Friday 3 July 2026.
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7. Media enquiries to the Department of Education Press Office at Press.Office@education-ni.gov.uk.