Northern Ireland Education Minister attends Education World Forum in London

Education Minister Paul Givan has attended the Education World Forum (EWF) in London where he highlighted Northern Ireland's experience in building an inclusive education system.

The EWF is the largest conference for education ministers in the world. This year, the conference explored a wide range of issues surrounding the development of inclusive, responsive and resilient education systems.

In his keynote speech titled “Building World Class, Inclusive Education Systems” the Education Minister shared how Northern Ireland has emerged from conflict and continues to work towards a peaceful, inclusive future.  

Speaking to ministers and senior officials from various countries and regions, Paul Givan said: “While diversity offers opportunity, it also presents a challenge: How do we ensure that all children and young people, in all settings, experience equality of opportunity and high-quality education?

“That is the question we are working to answer through development of inclusive policy, targeted investment, and collaborative reform. We are transforming our education system - rooted in our past but looking firmly to the future and building a system that works for everyone. A future where every learner is seen. Every voice is heard. Every potential is nurtured.”

As part of the visit, the Minister met the Secretary of State for Education, Rt Hon Bridget Phillipson MP, along with Scottish and Welsh Ministers about issues including curriculum and qualifications reform as well as skills strategies.

Paul Givan also met with Ian Patterson, Executive Director of Standards and Mouhssin Ismail, Chief Standards Officer, from the City of London Academies Trust, to discuss the adoption of knowledge rich curricula, improving educational standards and research informed pedagogy. The City of London Academies Trust has eight secondary academies and three primary academies in London, all of which are in disadvantaged areas.

The Minister concluded: “TransformED is our ambitious reform programme, that has the potential to transform education in Northern Ireland. To achieve this, we must be willing to learn from high-performing education systems and schools. Meeting with members of the Senior Leadership Team from the City of London Academies Trust was particularly valuable, as they shared insights into their work to raise standards and improve outcomes across their schools. There is much we can learn from their experience and I look forward to continued dialogue and future collaboration.”