Committee for Education
Minutes of Proceedings - 3 December 2025
Committee for Education - 3 December 2025.pdf (166.35 kb)
Meeting Location: Room 29 Parliament Buildings
Present:
Mr Nick Mathison MLA (Chairperson)
Mr Pat Sheehan MLA (Deputy Chairperson)
Mr Danny Baker MLA
Mr David Brooks MLA
Mr Jon Burrows MLA
Mrs Michelle Guy MLA
Ms Aoibhinn Treanor (Assembly Clerk)
Mr Mark McQuade (Assistant Clerk)
Mr Jim Nulty (Clerical Supervisor)
Mr Thomas McConville (Clerical Officer)
Ms Maeve Corrigan ( legal Advisor) ( Item 2 only)
Present via teleconference facilities:
Ms Cara Hunter MLA
Mrs Cathy Mason MLA
Apologies: Mr Gary Middleton MLA
The meeting commenced at 2:00pm in public session.
1. Apologies
Apologies were received from Mr Middleton.
2. Chairperson's Business
The Committee noted a record of an informal meeting members had with the Open University and community participants on the 'Why Riot?' report.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the witnesses thanking them for meeting with the Committee and offering to engage with them in formal session.
The Committee noted a record of an informal meeting members had with Comhairle na Gaelscolaíochta.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to add the report to papers for the Strategic Review of Current SEN Provision and Transformation Agenda.
The Committee discussed a draft timeline for the Committee Stage of the General Teaching Council Bill.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that it was content with the timeline.
The Committee discussed a draft signposting advertisement; a draft call for evidence on the Bill; and a draft list of stakeholders to be consulted directly on the Bill.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that it was content with the signposting advertisement, call for evidence, and list of stakeholders.
The Committee discussed a draft motion extending the Committee Stage of the Bill to Wednesday 27 May 2026.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that it was content with the motion.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to move to closed session at 2:07pm.
Mr Burrows joined the meeting at 2:11pm.
The Committee discussed draft terms of reference for the proposed Committee Bill in relation to securing the right for pupils to wear trousers to school if they choose.
The Committee returned to public session at 2:25pm.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that it was content with the timeline as amended.
The Chair advised that week's meeting will be the final meeting before Christmas recess and that Parliament Buildings will be closed until Monday 5 January 2026.
Agreed: Committee packs for the meeting on 7 January 2026 to be issued on Monday 5 January 2026.
3. Declaration of Interest
There were no declarations of interests.
4. Matters arising
The Committee discussed curriculum review.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to consider further briefings on this subject.
5. Draft Minutes
Agreed: The Committee agreed the minutes of its meeting held on 26 November 2025.
6. School Uniforms (Guidelines and Allowances) Bill - Oral Briefing by Department of Education Officials Committee Bill
The following witnesses joined the meeting at 2:30pm.
Mrs Shirley Sweeney, Head of School Uniform Policy Team, Department of Education
Ms Margaret Rose McNaughton, Director of Transport and Food in Schools, Department of Education
The witnesses provided the Committee with a briefing on uniform guidelines.
This was followed by a question and answer session.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the Department of Education seeking additional information.
7. Strategic Review of Current SEN Provision and Transformation Agenda - Oral Briefing by Children's Law Centre
The Committee noted briefing papers from the Children's Law Centre.
The following witnesses joined the meeting at 3:25pm.
Ms Rachel Hogan, Special Education Needs Representative, Children's Law Centre
Mrs Kathryn Stevenson, Solicitor, Head of Legal Services, Children's Law Centre
Mr Liam Mackle, Advice Manager, Children's Law Centre
Ms Diane Hammond, Legal Adviser, Children's Law Centre
The witnesses provided the Committee with a briefing on SEN Provision and Transformation Agenda.
This was followed by a question and answer session.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the Children's Law Centre asking for statistics regarding injuries to teachers.
The Committee adjourned at 4:37pm.
The Committee resumed at 4:41pm.
8. Addressing Bullying in Schools Act - Oral Briefing by Department of Education Officials
The Committee noted a briefing paper from the Department of Education.
The following witnesses joined the meeting at 4:41pm.
Ms Claire McClelland, Director of Raising Aspirations and Supporting Learning, Department of Education
Mr Michael Leonard, Head of Additional Educational Needs Team, Department of Education
Ms Maria Coogan, Head of the Addressing Bullying in Schools Implementation Team, Education Authority
The witnesses provided the Committee with an update on the implementation of the Addressing Bullying in Schools Act.
Mr Sheehan re-joined the meeting at 4:43pm.
This was followed by a question and answer session.
Ms Hunter left the meeting at 5:05pm.
Mrs Mason left the meeting at 5:07pm.
9. Correspondence
9.1 The Committee noted an index of correspondence.
9.2 The Committee noted a submission from CCEA to the Strategic Review of Current SEN provision and Transformation Agenda.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to add the correspondence to papers for the Strategic Review of Current SEN Provision and Transformation Agenda.
9.3 The Committee noted a submission from the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists to the Strategic Review of Current SEN provision and Transformation Agenda.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to add the correspondence to papers for the Strategic Review of Current SEN Provision and Transformation Agenda.
9.4 The Committee noted a submission from Lavey Play Group to the Strategic Review of Current SEN provision and Transformation Agenda.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to add the correspondence to papers for the Strategic Review of Current SEN Provision and Transformation Agenda.
9.5 The Committee noted a submission from an individual to the Strategic Review of Current SEN provision and Transformation Agenda.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to add the correspondence to papers for the Strategic Review of Current SEN Provision and Transformation Agenda.
9.6 The Committee noted correspondence from the Committee for the Executive Office seeking the Committee's views on the Inquiry (Mother and Baby Institutions, Magdalene Laundries and Workhouses) and Redress Scheme Bill.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that members would respond to the Bill on a party basis.
9.7 The Committee noted an invitation from the Education Authority to the Joint Consultative Forum.
9.8 The Committee noted an invitation from the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission to the launch of its Windsor Framework Article 2 report.
9.9 The Committee noted correspondence from an Individual regarding Education Authority Transport.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the correspondent indicating that it could not become involved with individual cases and the evidence it had taken on SEN transport, and signposting the complaints process and the role of the Northern Ireland Public Service Ombudsman.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to forward the correspondence to the Education Authority.
9.10 The Committee noted correspondence from the Department of Education regarding the Minister of Education's visit to Israel.
Mr Brooks made a declaration of interest that he took part in the visit to Israel being discussed.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to the Department of Education seeking clarification of the nature of the email exchange as to whether an educational visit would take place.
9.11 The Committee noted the 51st Report of the Examiner of Statutory Rules.
9.12 The Committee noted correspondence from the Committee for Finance regarding Outturn and Forecast Outturn.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to return to this correspondence at its next meeting.
9.13 The Committee noted correspondence from the Committee for Finance regarding a review of Arm's Length bodies.
9.14 The Committee noted an invitation from the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission to the launch of its Annual Human Rights Statement 2025
9.15 The Committee noted is a written briefing paper from the Department of Education on December monitoring 2025/26.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to return to this correspondence at its next meeting.
9.16 The Committee noted an invitation to the Chairperson to speak at the South Eastern Secondary Headteachers Association Conference.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that it was content for the Chair to represent it at the Conference.
9.17 The Committee noted correspondence from the Northern Ireland Forest School Association thanking it for its motion on outdoor learning.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to write to Northern Ireland Forest School Association thanking it for its contribution to the Committee motion.
Agreed: The Committee agreed to offer Northern Ireland Forest School Association the original artwork from its stakeholder event on outdoor education.
10. Forward Work Programme
The Committee considered its forward work programme.
Agreed: The Committee agreed that it was content with the forward work programme as drafted.
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 10 December 2025 at 2:00pm in Room 29, Parliament Buildings.
The meeting was adjourned at 5:34pm.
Nick Mathison MLA
Chairperson, Committee for Education
10 December 2025
