Givan establishes an Independent Review of Assessment Panel

Education Minister Paul Givan has today announced the establishment of an Independent Review of Assessment Panel of education experts to advise on assessment in Northern Ireland.

The Minister has appointed Tim Oates CBE as Chairperson of the Panel along with Dr Mick Walker and Mr Garry Matthewson as panel members.

Speaking about the announcement the Minister said: “I am pleased to announce the appointment of this group of educational experts to form the Independent Review of Assessment Panel.

“As set out in my education strategy TransformED, there remains a need to fundamentally review current arrangements for assessment in Northern Ireland and to develop a new system of attainment measures which set high standards and clearly defined learning outcomes for all pupils.

“With that in mind, the panel will conduct an evidence-based review of assessment approaches internationally and make a series of policy proposals about the purpose, nature and design of assessment in Northern Ireland.

“I am confident the support of the Assessment Panel will be instrumental in helping to create an evidence-informed, world-class education system in Northern Ireland.”

Members will be appointed for an initial eight month period.

The terms of reference for the Panel can be accessed at: https://www.education-ni.gov.uk/publications/independent-review-assessment-panel-terms-reference.

Notes to editors:

1. Biographical details for each member are available on the Department's website at: https://www.education-ni.gov.uk/publications/panel-member-biographies.