Givan secures continued investment in teaching excellence with extension of online Teacher CPD Academy
Date published:
Education Minister, Paul Givan, has announced that post primary schools across Northern Ireland will have continued access to the high-impact online Teacher CPD Academy for the 2026-27 academic year reflecting the Department’s strong commitment to enhancing teaching and learning.
This professional learning platform, provided in partnership with InnerDrive, a UK leader in cognitive science-based educational the platform has already demonstrated significant reach and impact. During 2025-26, more than 10,000 teachers engaged with the Academy logging more than 45,000 hours of professional learning
Paul Givan said:
“I am delighted to secure a further year of the CPD Academy. This continued investment reflects my clear commitment, through TransformED, to place high-quality teaching and learning at the heart of education reform.”
Developed by InnerDrive’s team of psychologists and educators, the platform supports schools in creating tailored, evidence-based CPD programmes. It also offers optional materials to support the delivery of TransformED Development Days on a range of topics such as Adaptive Teaching, Feedback, Modelling and Retrieval Practice.
The Minister continued:
“As we move into the next phase of TransformED, our focus is firmly on delivery, supporting schools through sustained investment in professional learning, building leadership capacity and ensuring that effective practice is shared and embedded across the system. Extending this platform will empower educators with the knowledge and confidence to drive improvements in outcomes for all learners.”
The continuation of the Teacher CPD Academy is a key milestone in delivering the Department's TransformED Strategy, with its clear focus on teacher professional learning and expanding access to education research across Northern Ireland’s education system.
Notes to editors:
1. The CPD Academy provides on-demand professional learning, combining expert insight with practical, evidence-informed resources grounded in cognitive science. It covers key areas including Cognitive Load Theory, Retrieval Practice and Metacognition.
2. Optional materials to support the delivery of TransformED Development Days include PowerPoint slides, presenter notes and printable handouts. These are available for the following topics: Adaptive Teaching, Feedback, Modelling, Retrieval Practice, Relationships and Behaviours, Learning Intentions and Prior Knowledge, Effective Explanations, Questioning and Checking for Understanding and Practice and Scaffolding.
3. Prioritising Teacher Professional Learning and improving access to research are key commitments within the Department’s Education Strategy, TransformED NI.
4. An Expression of Interest was issued to all post primary schools and those who confirmed participation will shortly be registered for the CPD Academy or retain their access ahead of the new academic year.
5. The Academy provides participating schools with 20 self-access modules, live webinars, monthly masterclasses for senior leaders, classroom demonstration videos, and ready-made lesson materials for staff to use directly with pupils.
6. The Online Teacher CPD Academy, accessible via Evidence-informed Training Courses | Teacher CPD Academy
7. Further information on TransformED can be found at https://www.education-ni.gov.uk/topics/transformed.
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