News | Education Authority Northern Ireland

three adults surrounded by large group school pupils pose for photograph in a room.

PEACEPLUS ASPIRE meet with North South Ministerial council

5 February 2026

PEACEPLUS ASPIRE took part in the most recent North South Ministerial Council Education Sectoral, highlighting the projects impactful work in shared education and cross-border collaboration.

Group of children sheltering from rain in Forest School

Knocknagor PS & Queen Elizabeth II PS enjoy Forest School

4 February 2026

PEACEPLUS ASPIRE Partnership Queen Elizabeth II Primary School and Knocknagor Primary School kicked off their Forest School experience by braving the rain and diving straight into some energetic team games.

Pictured is EA Programme Director for CSU, Paul Close; Daniel Tarr, Pupil; Education Minister, Paul Givan; Reuben Seawright, Pupil; Mrs Mary Montgomery, Principal of Boys Model School, Belfast and Mark Baker, CSSC Chief Executive.

Dedicated Controlled Schools Unit launched

4 February 2026

Education Minister, Paul Givan, has welcomed the formal launch of the Education Authority’s Controlled Schools’ Unit (CSU).

Teenage girl sitting on a sofa looking at her phone and wearing headphones.

Guidance issued to schools, EOTAS, youth and community settings on safe use of AI images

3 February 2026

The Education Authority (EA), Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI), Safeguarding Board for Northern Ireland (SBNI) and INEQE Safeguarding Group have issued a joint letter to schools, colleges, youth clubs, sporting organisations, community groups and other settings working with children and young people, highlighting growing concerns around the misuse of artificial intelligence (AI) to create or manipulate harmful and sexualised images of children and young people.

EA provides update on taxi bill savings

2 February 2026

The Education Authority has secured agreement on close to £1m in taxi cost savings.

Update on Storm Chandra Response

27 January 2026

EA services are continuing to support schools in response to Storm Chandra.

Schools Update on Storm Chandra

26 January 2026

Amber and yellow weather warnings are in place for NI tomorrow and the potential impacts on schools are being kept under review.

2 students are crouching, two are standing around a small robotic device. Screen beside students reads FTC starter bot

Students from 4 Belfast Schools unite for Decode Robotics Challenge at W5

9 January 2026

Students from Methodist College, Malone Integrated College, Coláiste Feirste, and St Mary’s Christian Brothers Grammar School, all based in Belfast, have come together to prepare for the First Tech Challenge, as part of their post primary PEACEPLUS ASPIRE partnership.

children sitting on floor in library looking at woman, who is seated holding a book up and reading out loud.

St Catherine’s PS and Strabane PS pupils unite for creative Shared Education library visit

9 January 2026

Primary 3 pupils from St Catherine’s PS and Strabane PS recently came together for a fun PEACEPLUS ASPIRE shared education session in Strabane Library.

children sitting on assembly hall in two lines. There are also girls standing up working a projector. A screen is against the wall.

Annalong and St.Colman’s PS build friendships using digital resources

9 January 2026

Annalong and St.Colman’s Primary Schools, based in Kilkeel, Co. South Down, have been using online activities to build friendships and good relations as part of their PEACEPLUS ASPIRE partnership.

primary pupils sitting around table colouring is pages with the words be kind written on them

Killard House and Donaghadee PS create friendships in the classroom and playground

8 January 2025

Pupils from Killard House and Donaghdee Primary School embarked on their first PEACEPLUS ASPIRE partnership session of the year, which included activities such as Dodge Ball with Cushions (also known as Japanese Pillow Fighting), building Lego together, sharing a story centred on kindness, and building friendships in the playground.

Group of people in a hall standing in a circle facing each other.

Creative and Mindful Professional learning session was held for staff in a PEACEPLUS ASPIRE partnership

8 January 2026

Last month, Galbally Community Centre played host to an inspiring professional learning session for staff from Walker Memorial Primary School, Blessed Patrick O'Loughran Primary School, and St Joseph's Primary School Galbally.

Applications for Pre-school and P1 places now open on EA Connect

8 January 2026

Applications for Pre-school and Primary One places for September 2026 are now open through the Education Authority’s EA Connect portal.

2 children cutting out shapes at a table

Orangefield and Bethlehem creating new connections through PEACEPLUS ASPIRE

6 January 2026

For the leaders at Orangefield Nursery Unit and Bethlehem Nursery School, PEACEPLUS ASPIRE offers a valuable opportunity for their children to make deeper connections and friendships with children they may not otherwise meet.

Community Urged to Protect Site Identified for Special Education Campus in Lurgan

23 December 2025

The Education Authority (EA) and the Dromore Diocesan Education Trust are appealing to the local community to help protect the former St Ronan's site on Waring Street/Edward Street, Lurgan, which has been identified for development as a new Special Education campus.

Education Authority Chief Executive Pays Tribute to Education and Youth Service Staff

23 December 2025

The Chief Executive of the Education Authority has paid tribute to everyone involved in delivering education and youth services across NI.

Paul Smith, Principal; Richard Pengelly, Chief Executive of the Education Authority; Jacqueline Dixon, Deputy Lord-Lieutenant; and Pam Cameron MLA, with school governors in the background.

Earlview Primary School celebrates official opening of new specialist classes

22 December 2025

Earlview Primary School has officially opened two new Specialist Provision Classes, offering dedicated support for pupils with special educational needs (SEN).

EA Teams up with Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children to Share Winter Health Advice with Families

18 December 2025

The Education Authority has teamed up with the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children to help ensure winter health advice is available to pupils and families.

Group of children in room holding books and singing. Backs of some spectators shown at front of image.

PEACEPLUS ASPIRE Choir Spreads Festive Cheer at Connect Fermanagh

16 December 2025

The spirit of Christmas was in full swing as pupils from St Aidan’s High School, Derrylin and Fairgreen National School, Belturbet, joined forces as part of their PEACEPLUS ASPIRE partnership to create a choir performance for volunteers and service users of Connect Fermanagh at Fermanagh House.

Pupils have fun and make friends on the Volleyball courts

15 December 2025

St Colum’s Primary School and Portstewart Primary School came together at Ulster University, Coleraine, for an exciting day of sport and friendship.