The Northern Ireland Department of Education has published a
report summarising responses to consultation and engagement on
the future of CCEA GCSEs, AS levels and A levels.
The report sets out findings from the public consultation,
feedback from wider engagement with key stakeholders and
responses to a young people's survey on proposed changes to
qualifications.
Over 3,500 responses were received from individuals and
organisations to the public consultation, which ran from
September to November 2025. Almost 4,500 young people also
responded to the bespoke survey facilitated by the Education
Authority. In addition, the Department met with a broad range of
stakeholders, including pupils, school leaders and teachers to
listen to views and discuss the proposals in depth.
Education Minister, said: “There is a
clear need to ensure that CCEA qualifications taken by
Northern Ireland pupils are of high quality and are fit for
purpose. The consultation has demonstrated strong support for
retaining GCSEs and A levels, while also recognising the need to
streamline content and assessment to improve teaching and
learning and reduce pressure on teachers and pupils. CCEA
qualifications must continue to provide effective pathways and
progression and keep pace with developments in a rapidly changing
technological environment.
“It has been over a decade since CCEA qualifications were
last revised. My Department has undertaken significant
consultation and engagement to evaluate current structures and
approaches, particularly their impact on teaching and learning,
and on teacher and pupil workload. These views will help shape
the proposed revisions.”
Alongside the consultation findings, the report signposts a range
of research that will inform a new qualifications policy
framework. This framework will be published in the coming weeks
and will form the basis for CCEA to develop a new suite of
high-quality, up-to-date qualifications that will serve future
generations of pupils and young people. New specifications will
be introduced on a phased basis with first teaching likely to be
September 2028.
continued: “I am
grateful to all who took the time to engage with my Department
and respond to the consultation. The feedback, along with
analysis of research evidence, will inform the way forward. I
will set out next steps and publish a new qualifications policy
framework for Northern Ireland in the coming weeks.”
The Consultation Report: The Future of CCEA GCSE, AS
and A Level Qualifications has been published on the DE
website at https://www.education-ni.gov.uk/consultations/consultation-future-ccea-qualifications
