While the education system in Northern Ireland continues to deliver areas
of strong performance, significant weaknesses in assessment data and
restricted school inspections have limited the ability to fully understand
the quality of education being provided. These are among the conclusions
of a report published today by the Comptroller and Auditor General,
Dorinnia Carville.
The report on ‘Assessing the Quality of Education in Northern Ireland’
reviews how the Department of Education gains assurance on educational
quality across more than 1,400 schools and early years settings. It
stresses the need for clearer definitions, better data and stronger
mechanisms to safeguard high standards for all pupils.
Among the issues highlighted is the lack of a clear definition of ‘quality of
education’. While the concept is well understood in principle, the
Department has not articulated a formal definition in policy or corporate
documents, making monitoring extremely challenging. Currently, there is
a heavy reliance on examination results, but the report notes significant
gaps in the information available. While GCSE and A-level results provide
robust data at Key Stages 4 and 5, there is little assessment data for
pupils before GCSE level, and some pupils are not represented in
examination returns at all. This means policymakers cannot evaluate
progress or intervene early enough to address underachievement.
Today’s report also cites ongoing disruption to school inspections by the
Education and Training Inspectorate (ETI). Over the last decade Action
Short of Strike (ASoS) has severely restricted inspectors’ ability to
observe teaching and learning. Between 2018 and 2023, only 13 primary
schools received a full inspection unimpacted by ASoS. No post-primary
schools received a full inspection in that period. As a result, ETI frequently
reported that they were “unable to assure” stakeholders about the quality
of education being provided.
Additionally, the report highlights that ETI is the only organisation that
evaluates child protection arrangements during inspection. As a result of
disrupted inspections, fewer schools were identified where safeguarding
needed improvement, increasing the risk that vulnerable pupils were not
receiving adequate support. A lack of classroom observation has also prevented ETI from fully evaluating SEN provision during this period.
Given rising numbers of SEN pupil and EA expenditure on SEN reaching
£620 million in 2024–25, the report warns that robust oversight of SEN
has been undermined.
Commenting on the findings, Comptroller and Auditor General Dorinnia
Carville said:
“A high-quality education system is essential for children, families and
wider society. This report acknowledges that there is much to be proud of
in our education system – GCSE and A-level results have improved, and
Northern Ireland has performed well in international assessments.
However, significant information gaps and prolonged disruption to
inspection have limited assurance on the quality of provision across our
schools.”
“Good data, effective inspection and clear accountability are the
cornerstones of system improvement. The Department’s TransformED NI
strategy includes ambitions for making such improvements. These include
proposals for earlier assessment, additional attainment measures, and
reforms that will align Northern Ireland with the legislative protections for
inspection seen in other UK regions. I look forward to seeing the new
strategy delivered and a fuller picture of performance developed.”
“My recommendations seek to ensure that the Department can define,
measure and support high-quality education for every child, including
those who are most vulnerable and disadvantaged. This is also vital in
ensuring value for money in the almost £3 billion spent on the education
system here every year.”
ENDS
