Committee for Education

Minutes of proceedings 12 March 2025

Committee for Education minutes of proceedings 12 March 2025.pdf (170.53 kb)

Meeting Location: Room 29, Parliament Buildings

Present:

Mr Nick Mathison MLA (Chairperson)

Mr Pat Sheehan MLA (Deputy Chairperson)

Mr David Brooks MLA

Mrs Michelle Guy MLA

Mr Peter Martin MLA

Ms Aoibhinn Treanor (Assembly Clerk)

Mr Mark McQuade (Assistant Clerk)

Mr Jim Nulty (Clerical Supervisor)

Mr Thomas McConville (Clerical Officer)

Present via Teleconference:

Mr Danny Baker MLA

Mr Colin Crawford MLA

Ms Cara Hunter MLA

Mrs Cathy Mason MLA

The meeting commenced at 2:00pm in public session.

1. Apologies

No apologies were received.

2. Chairperson’s Business

2.1 Informal briefing with Angel Eyes

The Committee noted a record of an informal briefing with Angel Eyes providing an overview of their work on Tuesday 4 March 2025 along with briefing papers.

Mr Mathison made a declaration of interest that his wife was employed by Angel Eyes.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the Department of Education asking if it intended to make use of training provided by Angel Eyes.

2.2 Construction Futures “Open Doors” Initiative

The Committee noted an invitation from Construction Futures to an “Open Doors” initiative event.

2.3 Note on Pre-brief with officials on Transformed NI

The Committee noted a record of a pre-briefing that the Chairperson and the deputy Chairperson had with Department of Education officials on the Minister’s oral statement on ‘TransformED NI: Transforming Teaching and Learning: A Strategy for Educational Excellence in Northern Ireland.’

3. Declaration of Interests

There were no declarations of interests.

4. Matters Arising

School Uniforms (Guidelines and Allowances) Bill

The Committee considered a draft timeline for the Committee Stage of the School Uniforms (Guidelines and Allowances) Bill.

Agreed: The Committee agreed that it was content with the timeline for the Committee Stage of the Bill.

The Committee considered a draft signposting advertisement for the Committee Stage of the School Uniforms (Guidelines and Allowances) Bill.

Agreed: The Committee agreed that it was content with the signposting advertisement for the Committee Stage of the School Uniforms (Guidelines and Allowances) Bill.

The Committee considered a draft list of stakeholders to be consulted directly on the School Uniforms (Guidelines and Allowances) Bill.

Agreed: The Committee agreed that it was content with the list of stakeholders to be consulted directly on the School Uniforms (Guidelines and Allowances) Bill.

The Committee considered a draft motion extending the Committee Stage of the Bill to Wednesday 3 December 2025.

Agreed: The Committee agreed a motion extending the Committee Stage of the Bill to Wednesday 3 December 2025.

The Committee noted guidance on the legislative process in the Northern Ireland Assembly.

5. Minutes of Proceedings

Agreed: The Committee agreed the minutes of its meeting held on 5 March 2025.

6. Integrated Education – Joint Oral Briefing from the Integrated Education Fund and the Northern Ireland Council for Integrated Education

The Committee noted a presentation on Seaview Integrated Primary School.

The following witness joined the meeting at 2:12pm:

Mr Sean Pettis, Chief Executive Officer, NI Council for Integrated Education.

Mr Paul Caskey, Chief Executive Officer, Integrated Education Fund.

Mr Barry Corr, Principal, Seaview Integrated Primary School.

The witnesses provided the Committee with a briefing on integrated education.

This was followed by a question and answer session.

Ms Hunter left the meeting at 3:04pm.

7. Integrated Education – Oral Briefing by Integrated AlumNI

The Committee noted a briefing paper from Integrated AlumNI.

The following witnesses joined the meeting at 3:21pm:

Dr Matthew O’Neill, Chair of Integrated AlumNI

Ms Amelia Kai, Project and Development Manager, Integrated AlumNI

The witnesses provided the Committee with a briefing on integrated education.

This was followed by a question and answer session.

Mr Crawford left the meeting at 3:58pm.

The Committee adjourned at 4:02pm.

The Committee resumed at 4:09pm.

8. Integrated Education – Oral briefing by the Department of Education

The Committee noted briefing papers from the Clerk and the Department of Education.

The following witnesses joined the meeting at 4:10pm:

Mr James Hutchinson, Director, Climate Change and Collaboration, Department of Education

Mr Adrian Murphy, Grade 7, Integrated Education Act Implementation Lead, Department of Education

The witnesses provided the Committee with a briefing.

This was followed by a question and answer session.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the Department of Education seeking:

• A full update on outstanding development proposals to integrated status;
• Information on resourcing for integrated schools;
• A demographic breakdown of schools that have transformed to integrated status; and
• Details on setting up a project board and funding for Mid-Down integrated college.

9. Correspondence

9.1 The Committee noted a correspondence Index.

9.2 The Committee noted a Northern Ireland Human Rights Monthly Commission E-Newsletter for February 2025.

9.3 The Committee noted a response from the Northern Ireland Office regarding the Interim Public Services Transformation Board.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the Department of Education seeking:

• Clear and granular detail of the monies the Minister is going to spend on transformation projects;
• Information on the bids for allocation of any other of those monies; and
• An update on projects which weren’t approved.

9.4 The Committee noted an invitation to a Memorial for Anna Lo.

9.5 The Committee noted an invitation to the Children’s Law Centre Annual Lecture 2025.

9.6 The Committee noted correspondence from Cubby regarding the Cubbie Sensory Hub Rollout.

9.7 The Committee noted an invitation from the Department of Education to the launch of TransformED NI.

9.8 The Committee noted correspondence from the Committee for Finance regarding Budget Sustainability Plans.

9.9 The Committee noted correspondence from the Committee for Finance regarding Capital Easements.

9.10 The Committee noted correspondence providing quarterly sickness absence in the Northern Ireland Civil Service, October 2024 – December 2024.

9.11 The Committee noted the Thirty-fourth report of the Examiner of Statutory Rules.

9.12 The Committee noted correspondence from the Department of Education regarding the Minister of Education’s intention to make an oral statement on the Publication of Education Strategy.

9.13 The Committee noted a response from the Minister of Health regarding on-site medical supervision in special educational needs schools.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the Minister of Health noting its concerns that the review must meaningfully challenge and present alternatives to the status quo, indicating its hope that that there is no prejudged outcome and seeking:

• Clarity on the scope of the review; and
• Information on the review’s interaction with special school principals, staff and classroom assistants.

9.14 The Committee noted correspondence from Steve Aiken MLA regarding a school enhancement programme at Kilbride Central Primary School.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the Minister of Education seeking clarity on the status of the school enhancement programme.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to ask the Department of Education to provide paper copies of the TransformED NI papers for its perusal.

10. Forward Work Programme

The Committee considered a draft forward work programme.

Agreed: The Committee agreed its Forward Work Programme.

11. Any Other Business

No other business was discussed.

12. Date, Time and Place of Next Meeting

The next Committee for Education meeting will be held on Wednesday 26 March 2025 at 2:00pm in Bangor Academy. 

The meeting was adjourned at 5:00pm.

Nick Mathison MLA

Chairperson, Committee for Education

26 March 2025

Meeting Location: Room 29, Parliament Buildings

Present:

Mr Nick Mathison MLA (Chairperson)

Mr Pat Sheehan MLA (Deputy Chairperson)

Mr David Brooks MLA

Mrs Michelle Guy MLA

Mr Peter Martin MLA

Ms Aoibhinn Treanor (Assembly Clerk)

Mr Mark McQuade (Assistant Clerk)

Mr Jim Nulty (Clerical Supervisor)

Mr Thomas McConville (Clerical Officer)

Present via Teleconference:

Mr Danny Baker MLA

Mr Colin Crawford MLA

Ms Cara Hunter MLA

Mrs Cathy Mason MLA

The meeting commenced at 2:00pm in public session.

1. Apologies

No apologies were received.

2. Chairperson’s Business

2.1 Informal briefing with Angel Eyes

The Committee noted a record of an informal briefing with Angel Eyes providing an overview of their work on Tuesday 4 March 2025 along with briefing papers.

Mr Mathison made a declaration of interest that his wife was employed by Angel Eyes.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the Department of Education asking if it intended to make use of training provided by Angel Eyes.

2.2 Construction Futures “Open Doors” Initiative

The Committee noted an invitation from Construction Futures to an “Open Doors” initiative event.

2.3 Note on Pre-brief with officials on Transformed NI

The Committee noted a record of a pre-briefing that the Chairperson and the deputy Chairperson had with Department of Education officials on the Minister’s oral statement on ‘TransformED NI: Transforming Teaching and Learning: A Strategy for Educational Excellence in Northern Ireland.’

3. Declaration of Interests

There were no declarations of interests.

4. Matters Arising

School Uniforms (Guidelines and Allowances) Bill

The Committee considered a draft timeline for the Committee Stage of the School Uniforms (Guidelines and Allowances) Bill.

Agreed: The Committee agreed that it was content with the timeline for the Committee Stage of the Bill.

The Committee considered a draft signposting advertisement for the Committee Stage of the School Uniforms (Guidelines and Allowances) Bill.

Agreed: The Committee agreed that it was content with the signposting advertisement for the Committee Stage of the School Uniforms (Guidelines and Allowances) Bill.

The Committee considered a draft list of stakeholders to be consulted directly on the School Uniforms (Guidelines and Allowances) Bill.

Agreed: The Committee agreed that it was content with the list of stakeholders to be consulted directly on the School Uniforms (Guidelines and Allowances) Bill.

The Committee considered a draft motion extending the Committee Stage of the Bill to Wednesday 3 December 2025.

Agreed: The Committee agreed a motion extending the Committee Stage of the Bill to Wednesday 3 December 2025.

The Committee noted guidance on the legislative process in the Northern Ireland Assembly.

5. Minutes of Proceedings

Agreed: The Committee agreed the minutes of its meeting held on 5 March 2025.

6. Integrated Education – Joint Oral Briefing from the Integrated Education Fund and the Northern Ireland Council for Integrated Education

The Committee noted a presentation on Seaview Integrated Primary School.

The following witness joined the meeting at 2:12pm:

Mr Sean Pettis, Chief Executive Officer, NI Council for Integrated Education.

Mr Paul Caskey, Chief Executive Officer, Integrated Education Fund.

Mr Barry Corr, Principal, Seaview Integrated Primary School.

The witnesses provided the Committee with a briefing on integrated education.

This was followed by a question and answer session.

Ms Hunter left the meeting at 3:04pm.

7. Integrated Education – Oral Briefing by Integrated AlumNI

The Committee noted a briefing paper from Integrated AlumNI.

The following witnesses joined the meeting at 3:21pm:

Dr Matthew O’Neill, Chair of Integrated AlumNI

Ms Amelia Kai, Project and Development Manager, Integrated AlumNI

The witnesses provided the Committee with a briefing on integrated education.

This was followed by a question and answer session.

Mr Crawford left the meeting at 3:58pm.

The Committee adjourned at 4:02pm.

The Committee resumed at 4:09pm.

8. Integrated Education – Oral briefing by the Department of Education

The Committee noted briefing papers from the Clerk and the Department of Education.

The following witnesses joined the meeting at 4:10pm:

Mr James Hutchinson, Director, Climate Change and Collaboration, Department of Education

Mr Adrian Murphy, Grade 7, Integrated Education Act Implementation Lead, Department of Education

The witnesses provided the Committee with a briefing.

This was followed by a question and answer session.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the Department of Education seeking:

·         A full update on outstanding development proposals to integrated status;

·         Information on resourcing for integrated schools;

·         A demographic breakdown of schools that have transformed to integrated status; and

·         Details on setting up a project board and funding for Mid-Down integrated college.

9. Correspondence

9.1 The Committee noted a correspondence Index.

9.2 The Committee noted a Northern Ireland Human Rights Monthly Commission E-Newsletter for February 2025.

9.3 The Committee noted a response from the Northern Ireland Office regarding the Interim Public Services Transformation Board.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the Department of Education seeking:

·         Clear and granular detail of the monies the Minister is going to spend on transformation projects;

·         Information on the bids for allocation of any other of those monies; and

·         An update on projects which weren’t approved.

9.4 The Committee noted an invitation to a Memorial for Anna Lo.

9.5 The Committee noted an invitation to the Children’s Law Centre Annual Lecture 2025.

9.6 The Committee noted correspondence from Cubby regarding the Cubbie Sensory Hub Rollout.

9.7 The Committee noted an invitation from the Department of Education to the launch of TransformED NI.

9.8 The Committee noted correspondence from the Committee for Finance regarding Budget Sustainability Plans.

9.9 The Committee noted correspondence from the Committee for Finance regarding Capital Easements.

9.10 The Committee noted correspondence providing quarterly sickness absence in the Northern Ireland Civil Service, October 2024 – December 2024.

9.11 The Committee noted the Thirty-fourth report of the Examiner of Statutory Rules.

9.12 The Committee noted correspondence from the Department of Education regarding the Minister of Education’s intention to make an oral statement on the Publication of Education Strategy.

9.13 The Committee noted a response from the Minister of Health regarding on-site medical supervision in special educational needs schools.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the Minister of Health noting its concerns that the review must meaningfully challenge and present alternatives to the status quo, indicating its hope that that there is no prejudged outcome and seeking:

·         Clarity on the scope of the review; and

·         Information on the review’s interaction with special school principals, staff and classroom assistants.

9.14 The Committee noted correspondence from Steve Aiken MLA regarding a school enhancement programme at Kilbride Central Primary School.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the Minister of Education seeking clarity on the status of the school enhancement programme.

Agreed: The Committee agreed to ask the Department of Education to provide paper copies of the TransformED NI papers for its perusal.

10. Forward Work Programme

The Committee considered a draft forward work programme.

Agreed: The Committee agreed its Forward Work Programme.

11. Any Other Business

No other business was discussed.

12. Date, Time and Place of Next Meeting

The next Committee for Education meeting will be held on Wednesday 26 March 2025 at 2:00pm in Bangor Academy. 

The meeting was adjourned at 5:00pm.

Nick Mathison MLA

Chairperson, Committee for Education

26 March 20