This is only the Beginning: Education Minister updates the Assembly on TransformED

Date published: 9 September 2025

TransformED is designed to learn from the world's best-performing education systems and to address the specific needs of Northern Ireland.

Outlining the steps that have already been taken and a roadmap for what’s to come, Paul Givan said: 

“TransformED sets out a bold, long-term vision to elevate education in Northern Ireland to world-class standards. We are not tinkering at the edges—we are transforming the core of our education system.

“This is not just about policy updates—it’s about creating a culture where teaching is recognised as a highly respected profession, where every student is given the tools to thrive, and where schools are empowered to lead real change.

“What we’ve achieved in just six months is significant—but this is only the beginning. TransformED is our blueprint for excellence, and together with educators, parents and pupils, we’re shaping an education system that is fit for the future.”

In the first six months the following initiatives have been launched:

• A £31million Teacher Professional Learning Fund is now active, giving schools per-teacher funding for high-quality, evidence-based training.
• A new online CPD Academy – 145 of Northern Ireland’s 190 post-primary schools have already signed up, benefiting over 6,000 teachers.
• A new Making Best Practice Common Practice programme has launched to help bridge the gap between academic research and classroom practice, ensuring that educators are equipped with the latest evidence-based strategies to enhance learning for all pupils.
• Funding has been made available for 50 research-informed school-led conferences to facilitate the spread of effective teaching methods across schools.
• A Science of Learning newsletter has been developed and is now supporting educators with accessible, research-based insights.
• A new expanded induction programme for early career teachers.

Curriculum and assessment reform are central pillars of the TransformED agenda. Key steps that have been taken include:

• The publication in June, of an independent Strategic Review of the Northern Ireland Curriculum, led by international education policy expert, Lucy Crehan.
• The formation of a Curriculum Taskforce, chaired by internationally respected educator Christine Counsell OBE.
• A curriculum conference for primary and post-primary school leaders will take place this month.
• An Independent Review of Assessment Panel, chaired by Tim Oates CBE is now in place and reviewing the current arrangements for assessment in Northern Ireland.

The Department is also:

• Piloting new system-level sample assessments in literacy and numeracy for Years 4, 7 and 10.
• Expanding Computer Adaptive Assessment to a record 522 schools from September 2025.

Next week, the Minister will launch a public consultation on GCSE and A Level reform, with a focus on reducing exam overload and enhancing the depth of student learning.

Paul Givan continued: 

“As we begin this new academic year, our focus is clear and we are delivering at pace. In the months ahead, we will be supporting schools to make full use of the TransformED Teacher Professional Learning Fund, helping to embed high-quality, evidence-based professional development across the system.

“We’ll also be deepening our reform of the curriculum and qualifications, ensuring that what and how we teach truly prepares our young people for the future. New strategies for literacy, numeracy and school improvement will be launched, alongside key legislative work to strengthen school inspection and raise the education participation age to 18.

“We’ve made remarkable progress—and that’s only the beginning. TransformED is our blueprint for excellence and empowerment. Together, we’re not just imagining a better future for our children—we’re building it.”