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For Italian Law
Iscrizione n.2165 - 13.02.2009 - Registro Stampa Tribunale di Padova

Direttore Responsabile: Giulia Golo

Education Policy in Northern Ireland: a Review

TitleEducation Policy in Northern Ireland: a Review
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2012
AuthorsMcGuinness SJ
Secondary TitleITALIAN JOURNAL OF SOCIOLOGY OF EDUCATION
Volume4
Issue1
Pagination205-237
Date Published02/2012
PublisherPadova University Press
Place PublishedPadova, IT
ISSN Number2035-4983
Keywordscollaboration, Education, integrated education, long tail of underachievement, Northern Ireland, performativity, policy, segregation, selection
Abstract

While Northern Ireland (NI) society continues on its journey away from conflict, schools and teacher training colleges remain largely segregated on a religious basis. Since the establishment of the first integrated school only twelve more have been established out of 215 post-primary schools. While successive education ministers have attempted to end academic selection at eleven, it remains an option for primary school pupils. While academic outcomes are very good among the most able, international assessment outcomes indicate underperformance among too many, despite strategies to address this. A modern curriculum is in place which aspires to equip students for the world of work by focusing on the development of transferable skills with a strong emphasis on information technology. Schools increasingly collaborate through the growth of area learning communities. The strong accountability agenda driven by the Department of Education (DENI) and the Education and Training Inspectorate (ETI) creates a climate of ‘performativity’ among headteachers. There is a need for school leadership development which is being addressed to some extent.

URLhttp://ijse.padovauniversitypress.it/2012/1/9
DOI10.14658/pupj-ijse-2012-1-9
Paper: