News | Education Authority Northern Ireland

Students compete in a robotics challenge with two teams controlling robots on a marked field with colorful balls.

PEACEPLUS Shared Education Partnership Celebrate Success in FIRST® Tech Challenge UK

3 April 2026

Students from Coláiste Feirste, Malone Integrated College, St Mary’s Christian Brothers’ Grammar School, and Methodist College Belfast proudly represented their PEACEPLUS Shared Education Partnership as they took part in the internationally renowned FIRST® Tech Challenge, one of the world’s largest and most prestigious robotics competitions.

Group of children and teenagers posing together outside a school building under a cloudy sky.

Bangor Schools Forge Inclusive Friendships and Gain New Skills

3 April 2026

Pupils from Kilcooley Primary School and Clifton School in Bangor have been embracing teamwork, diversity, new learning opportunities and building lasting friendships through the PEACEPLUS ASPIRE Project.

Special School Summer Schemes 2026: Parent/Carer FAQs

1 April 2026

We have put together some initial FAQs to help provide more information for parents/carers on the Special School Summer Schemes 2026.

Work continues on securing SEN places

1 April 2026

The Education Authority is taking decisive action to address the growing demand for specialist provision SEN places across Northern Ireland.

Child in a blue outfit and yellow boots sitting atop a wooden triangular structure, looking through binoculars near a chain-link fence.

Outdoor Pre-school Session Fostering Inclusion and Friendship

1 April 2026

Barnesmore Montessori and Donegal Playgroup spent a shared session almost entirely outdoors where children of all abilities and multiple cultures participated. The intentionally prepared garden created a space where everyone could connect. The children communicated through the universal language of play.

Students in formal attire seated in a large, historic courtroom with tall arched windows letting in natural light.

Students Explore Derry-Londonderry’s History

1 April 2026

Post-Primary pupils from St Columba’s College Stranorlar and Strabane Academy recently travelled to Derry - Londonderry, where they took part in a guided tour of Guildhall and the Tower Museum.

Man in a blazer playing a saxophone indoors while children in red shirts sit on the floor watching.

Children, Parents and Communities Celebrate Culture and Music Together

1 April 2026

Recently children from Millburn Community Playgroup and Playhouse Activity Centre came together to celebrate culture, music and creativity - with parents playing a central role in the experience.

Seven people standing in a row inside a gymnasium with a stage and blue curtains behind them.

A Knockout Celebration: Carl Frampton Inspires Pupils

1 April 2026

Two-time world boxing champion Carl Frampton made a memorable appearance at a celebration event, presenting certificates to pupils from Bunscoil Bheann Mhadagáin and Cliftonville Integrated Primary School, who successfully completed their partnership activity for the PEACEPLUS ASPIRE Shared Education project.

Pictured is EA Chairperson, Mervyn Storey; Chief Education Officer of the Education Authority, Eve Bremner; EA Music Deputy Head of Service, Jan Hutchinson, EA Music - Locality Lead (North), Janet Cooke and EA Music Locality Manager, Colin Elliot at EA Music Spring Gala at Ulster University Coleraine.

Young Musicians Shine at Gala

27 March 2026

More than 500 young musicians from schools across the north Antrim and mid Ulster area came together for the EA Music Spring Gala 2026 (Thursday 26 March 2026), a major celebration of youth music hosted in partnership with Ulster University at its Coleraine Campus.

Summer Schemes Update

27 March 2026

Following further engagement involving the Education Authority, the Department of Health and the Department of Education, the Department of Health has now been able to confirm that nursing support will be made available at each special school summer scheme site.

Statement on summer schemes at special schools

26 March 2026

Summer schemes at NI special schools will not take place this year, due to concerns about the adequacy of health care provision for vulnerable participating children.

Head shot of Tomas Adell, Chief Transformation Officer

Why we need to improve SEN classroom support

25 March 2026

Tomas Adell, Chief Transformation Officer

School child in wheelchair in classroom with a teaching assistant and other children

Consultation begins on classroom support reforms

24 March 2026

Reforming classroom support in NI will benefit children, staff and schools, the Education Authority has emphasised.

Group of adults and children wearing winter coats and safety vests gathered indoors, holding flyers and certificates near framed artwork on display.

Bright Beginnings and Dun Dealgan Celebrate Culture and Community Through Cookbook Project

20 March 2026

In an inspiring display of teamwork and creativity, the children from Bright Beginnings and Dun Dealgan have produced a cookbook that celebrates their diverse cultures and has made a meaningful contribution to their local community.

Children in school uniforms participating in a group activity inside a gymnasium with colourful hoops and cones.

Two Belfast schools combine Shared Education with community involvement

19 March 2026

Nettlefield Primary School and St Matthew’s Primary School have participated in Shared Education in a variety of ways for many years - and have long served as pillars within their respective communities.

Children and adults outdoors holding a colorful parachute with balls bouncing above it on a grassy field surrounded by trees.

Co. Down schools celebrate partnership with creative activities

18 March 2026

Pupils from Sacred Heart Primary School, in Dundrum, and Knockevin School, in Downpatrick, have come together for a variety of collaborative activities, ranging from sculpting woodland animals to exchanging festive cards.

Young people from Ballykeel Youth Centre take centre stage in special feature for Comic Relief

Ballykeel Youth Centre steps into the spotlight for Comic Relief

18 March 2026

All eyes are on Ballykeel Youth Centre this week as Comic Relief airs its special feature on the Invisible Traffick Junior Education Programme this Friday (March 20th).

Large group of students and adults posing on a red carpeted stage with awards and floral arrangements in front.

Belfast students reopen inter schools peace capsule after 25 years

18 March 2026

Nineteen Belfast post‑primary schools came together on Thursday, 5th March, 2026, at St Louise’s Comprehensive College to mark a powerful moment of reflection and renewal as they reopened a unique inter‑schools Peace Capsule that had been sealed in the year 2000.

Improving classroom support

16 March 2026

In light of some inaccurate comments regarding the rationale for SEN reform, EA wish to clarify that planned reforms to classroom support in NI are not aimed at cutting costs or reducing classroom assistant numbers.

Pictured is Chairs at the EA’s Governor Network events that took place on 24, 25 and 26 February 2026, bringing together Chairs of Controlled schools across three localities, South West, North and East.

EA Launches New Governor Networks for Chairpersons of Controlled Schools

12 March 2026

The Education Authority (EA) has launched a new series of Governor Networks designed specifically for Chairpersons of Controlled schools, reinforcing EA’s ongoing commitment to strengthening engagement and collaboration with school governors.