Education Minister Paul Givan 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.
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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.
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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.
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