Education Minister today marked the first year of
the TransformED education reform programme with the publication
of a Progress Report at the TransformED One Year On School
Leaders' Conference in Ballymena.
The report headlines a week-long programme of TransformED events,
bringing together more than 1,500 school leaders, teachers,
international experts and education partners from across Northern
Ireland and beyond.
The events mark TransformED's first anniversary, bringing a clear
focus on progress to date and the priorities for the next phase
of delivery.
The First Annual Progress Report and Updated Delivery Plan sets
out a comprehensive account of progress during TransformED's
first year across curriculum, assessment, qualifications, school
improvement, tackling educational disadvantage and teacher
professional learning, and outlines how the programme will now
move decisively from design to delivery.
At its core is a clear principle: lasting improvement is driven
by sustained investment in teaching quality, underpinned by
strong policy frameworks and a robust evidence base.
Speaking at the conference, the Minister said: “TransformED is
one of the most ambitious and far-reaching education reform
programmes Northern Ireland has ever undertaken. This first
annual Progress Report demonstrates real momentum across the
system, rooted in trust in the teaching profession and a
relentless focus on improving teaching and learning in the
classroom.
“As we move into the next phase, the priority is delivery. Reform
of curriculum, qualifications and assessment will be carefully
paced, properly supported and grounded in partnership, so that
schools and teachers are not asked to carry change alone.”
The report highlights major progress during the first year of
implementation, including a significant expansion of teacher
professional learning, the publication of a new Literacy
Framework for primary schools and the development of new policy
frameworks for curriculum, assessment and qualifications. It also
highlights continued investment through the RAISE Programme to
tackle educational disadvantage and the publication of a new
Curriculum Framework for Initial Teacher Education to strengthen
classroom readiness for new teachers.
The launch coincides with a major programme of TransformED events
taking place throughout the week, designed to deepen
understanding, build shared ownership of reform and support the
transition into implementation. These include a literacy-focused
professional learning event, as well as conferences for both
vice-principals and school leaders.
Internationally recognised education experts, including Daniel T.
Willingham, Christine Counsell, Tim Oates and Lucy Crehan, are
contributing to the programme alongside local school leaders and
practitioners, reinforcing TransformED's commitment to grounding
reform in international evidence while shaping it through local
expertise and experience.
Concluding the Minister said: "I firmly believe that the
TransformED reforms will deliver a fairer, richer and more
ambitious educational experience for every learner in Northern
Ireland. This week has provided an important opportunity for
education professionals to reflect deeply, to question, to learn
from one another and to be challenged by new thinking.
“TransformED is now entering its most critical phase. Over the
year ahead, we will focus on consulting on a new statutory
curriculum, developing high‑quality curriculum resources,
continuing reform of assessment and qualifications, expanding
leadership support and sustaining investment in professional
learning. Our goal is to ensure that reform moves beyond policy
and legislation into consistent, high‑quality classroom practice
across the system.”
The TransformED First Annual Progress Report and Updated Delivery
Plan is available on the Department of Education's TransformED
Hub at https://www.education-ni.gov.uk/publications/transformed-first-annual-report-and-updated-delivery-plan.
