Givan launches programme to boost support for pupils preparing for post primary education
Date published:
Education Minister Paul Givan has today announced a new initiative to deliver targeted numeracy, literacy and structured transition support for pupils in Primary 6 and 7.
The Programme will deliver targeted literacy and numeracy interventions, alongside strengthened transition arrangements for pupils as they prepare to move to post-primary education.
Delivered through the RAISE Programme, the Primary Literacy and Numeracy / Transitions Support Programme will make up to £600,000 in funding available to support participating schools during the 2026/27 academic year.
Paul Givan said:
“Improving literacy and numeracy and supporting children as they move from primary to post-primary education are key elements in laying foundations for improved educational outcomes.
“This Programme is aimed at improving literacy and numeracy attainment among Primary 6 and Primary 7 pupils through additional one to one, small group or team teaching support to targeted pupils before entry to post- primary education.
“The Programme will also facilitate a more structured transition experience for pupils moving from Primary 7 to Year 8, delivered through partnerships between post-primary schools and feeder primary schools.”
There will be two elements to the Programme; a Primary Numeracy and Literacy Support Scheme and a Transition Partnership Scheme.
Funding for Primary Numeracy and Literacy Support Scheme will be made available to participating schools based on a scale of between £1,000 and £4,000, depending on the number of pupils enrolled in their Year 6 and Year 7 cohorts.
The Transition Partnership Scheme will support collaborative working between post-primary schools and their feeder primary schools to support effective transition and build pupil confidence and skills. Funding of up to £5,000 will be available for partnership clusters, which will be led by one post-primary school and include a minimum of two feeder primary schools.
The Programme is voluntary and schools will be asked to develop a proposal bespoke to their school or partnership cluster to deliver targeted interventions throughout the 2026/27 academic year.
The Education Minister said:
“This new initiative will be a valuable element of the RAISE Programme delivering targeted pupil support and smoother, more effective transitions to post-primary education. I would encourage primary and post primary school leaders to consider how this Programme could benefit their pupils and submit an Expression of Interest.”
Expressions of Interest have been invited from schools today. Online Expression of Interest forms and guidance on the Programme are also available on the DE website at: https://www.education-ni.gov.uk/articles/raise-primary-numeracy-and-literacytransitions-support-programme
Expressions of Interest must be returned by noon on 1 October 2026.
Notes to editors:
1. The RAISE Programme is funded through the Shared Island Fund and represents an investment of £20million/€24million over the next two years, with the potential for further funding..
2. RAISE is operating in 18 areas across Northern Ireland, supporting the Department of Education’s vision that “every child is happy, learning and succeeding” while tackling educational disadvantage and increasing aspiration by delivering locality led projects against objectives identified in Strategic Area Plans.
3. RAISE Strategic Area Plans are complemented by a series of cross-cutting initiatives that will span across RAISE areas and beyond to address common issues and complement locality led projects
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