Education in Northern Ireland
Responsibility for education passed to the Northern Ireland
Executive in 1999, was taken back by central government in October
2002 on the suspension of the devolved government. Powers over
education were reinstated in May 2007 with the resumption of the
Executive.
The curriculum in Northern Ireland changed in 2007 and is well
outlined in its website www.nicurriculum.org.uk. Guidance is available
for the Foundation stage and for Key Stages 1 and 2. The subjects
taught (referred to as Areas of Knowledge') are:
- Language and Literacy,
- Mathematics and Numeracy,
- The World Around Us (including teaching of history, geography,
science and technology),
- The Arts (including art, design and music)
- Personal Development & Mutual Understanding
- PE
- RE
Phases of primary education in Northern Ireland
| Phase of education |
Type of institution |
Key stages |
Year/grade key |
Typical age |
| Transfer test (Eleven Plus) to determine
secondary school placement |
| Primary Education |
Primary Schools |
Key Stage 2 |
Primary 7 |
10-11 |
| Primary 6 |
9-10 |
| Primary 5 |
8-9 |
| Key Stage 1 |
Primary 4 |
7-8 |
| Primary 3 |
6-7 |
| Foundation Stage |
Primary 2 |
5-6 |
| Primary 1 |
4-5 |
| Pre-school |
. |
. |
Nursery |
3 |
Phases of secondary education in Northern Ireland
| Phase of education |
Type of institution |
Key stages |
Year/grade key |
Typical age |
| Secondary Education |
GCE ''A" Levels, GCE
''AS'' Level examinations provide access to further and higher
education and the world of work |
| Further education
colleges |
Secondary or Grammar
Schools |
Year 14 |
17-18 |
. |
| Year 13 |
16-17 |
. |
| General Certificates of Secondary
Education (GCSEs), National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs) and
GCSEs in vocational subjects |
| Secondary Schools or
Grammar Schools. |
Key Stage 4 |
Year 12 |
15-16 |
| Year 11 |
14-15 |
| Key Stage 3 |
Year 10 |
13-14 |
| Year 9 |
12-13 |
| Year 8 |
11-12 |
| Transfer test (Eleven Plus) to determine
secondary school placement |
Maths in the Primary curriculum
The statutory requirements for KS1(6-8 year olds) and KS2 (8-11
year olds) are found here:
www.nicurriculum.org
The Northern Ireland Curriculum also offers a web-based,
formative assessment system for Mathematics and Numeracy designed
to support pupils in Key Stages 1 and 2 in Northern Ireland. This
is known as Alta Math and can be found at:
www.mathsforschools.com/ccea/
Maths in the Secondary curriculum
Statutory requirements for teaching maths are found here:
www.nicurriculum.org.uk/docs/key_stage_3/areas_of_learning/statutory_requirements/ks3_mathematics_new.pdf
Non-statutory requirements are also available:
www.nicurriculum.org.uk/docs/key_stage_3/areas_of_learning/non_statutory/ks3_mathematics_ns_guidance.pdf
There is no specific programme of study for Key Stage 4.