Curriculum and learning

On 21 October 2024, the Minister of Education announced that he was commissioning a strategic review of the Northern Ireland Curriculum.

The School Age (Northern Ireland) Act 2022 allows the parents/ guardians of Young for Year children to defer the start of pre-school and, in turn, primary school for their child for one year.

The Young Person’s Reference Group (YPRG) have planned and delivered 60 different consultation sessions to date in a wide range of settings with children and young people through Northern Ireland, consulting with 600+ individuals. The Young Person’s Reference group are finalising the information they have gathered and putting this into recommendations to be considered for the future youth work policy. Additionally, the Young Persons Reference Group are working on using the lived experience and voice of children and young people, to inform what the vision, purpose and role of youth work should be going forward.

14 April 2025

The Education Minister, Paul Givan MLA today launched a consultation on legislation which will provide for all learners to participate in education, apprenticeship or training until age 18.

At the start of February 2025, Education Minister Paul Givan officially launched the Outdoor Learning Project to enhance pupil experiences of outdoor learning.

Some children and young people, especially those living in disadvantaged communities, can face a number of issues or 'barriers to learning' which can lead to them doing less well at school. In order to overcome such barriers those children and their families often need additional support. The 'full service' approach seeks to provide such support.

Pre-consultation workshops initially took place in youth centres with young people under sixteen, to get their input into the consultation design.