Research Papers 2013

• Measuring deprivation in education, Universal Credit and free school meals

  Reference: 84/13 - Date: 19/06/2013

  This research paper explores approaches to measuring deprivation in other jurisdictions, and considers the potential implications of the planned introduction of Universal Credit for free school meals.

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• Prompt payments: Education

  Reference: 64/13 - Date: 01/05/2013

  This paper highlights a number of issues around the prompt payment of invoices across some of the Department’s arm’s length bodies.

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• Early years provision

  Reference: 63/13 - Date: 01/05/2013

  This research paper considers early years provision in Northern Ireland and internationally. It discusses the integration of education and care and briefly considers issues around the school starting age. It also considers Learning to Learn, the draft early years framework, identifying areas of potential overlap with OFMdFM’s Towards a Childcare Strategy.

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• School Uniform Policy in Scotland, England, Wales and the Republic of Ireland

  Reference: 48/13 - Date: 10/04/2013

  This briefing paper provides an overview of school uniform policy in Scotland, England, Wales and the Republic of Ireland, including background information on school uniform policy in Northern Ireland.

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• Acorn

  Reference: 47/13 - Date: 10/04/2013

  This briefing paper provides information on the area-based classification systems Acorn and Mosaic, and discusses some recent findings on the use of FSME as a measure for deprivation.

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• The Schools (Consultation) (Scotland) Act 2010

  Reference: 37/13 - Date: 05/03/2013

  This paper sets out the process for school closures in Northern Ireland and Scotland; considers the other provisions of the Schools (Consultation) (Scotland) Act; and discusses its implementation.

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• Northern Ireland and international educational studies

  Reference: 31/13 - Date: 21/02/2013

  Northern Ireland has participated in a number of international educational studies in recent years that aim to allow for international benchmarking on students’ performance. This paper considers the findings of recent studies, discusses the common attributes of high performing countries and limitations of such studies.

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• Rural schools

  Reference: 27/13 - Date: 14/02/2013

  This Research Paper considers rural schools in Northern Ireland and explores the evidence on issues affecting rural schools, the implications of rural school closures and approaches in other jurisdictions.

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• Pupil Premium

  Reference: 18/13 - Date: 31/01/2013

  This paper provides an overview of the Pupil Premium in England; sets out initial findings on it and estimates the potential cost of introducing the Premium in Northern Ireland.

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