School inspections

Inspections are carried out by the Education and Training Inspectorate

School inspections in Northern Ireland are carried out by the Education and Training Inspectorate. This independent body monitors, inspects and reports on standards of learning and teaching. It then reports to the Department of Education and publishes reports with recommendations for improvement.

League tables

After consultation with teachers, schools, parents and unions the Department of Education decided to drop league tables in 2001. Instead, schools publish results and achievements in their individual prospectuses in the hope that this will give a better overall picture of the school.

Key stages

Compulsory education in Northern Ireland lasts from ages four to 16. It is divided into five stages:

• Foundation stage - four to six
• Key stage 1 - ages six to eight
• Key stage 2 - ages eight to 11
• Key stage 3 - ages 11 to 14
• Key stage 4 - ages 14 to 16

The Northern Ireland Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment

The curriculum in Northern Ireland is set by the Northern Ireland Council for Curriculum, Examinations and Assessments.

Its role is due to be absorbed by the new Education and Skills Authority or ESA.

At the moment it is responsible for:

• The assessment of pupils at Key Stages

• Conducting public examinations such as GCSE, GCE, the Certificate of Education

• Achievement and Graded Objectives in Modern Languages for students between 16 and 19

• The regulation of GNVQs in Northern Ireland

Religious education is required for all pupils as part of the basic curriculum. They must have the opportunity to take part in daily collective worship, but parents can withdraw their children from both of these, if they wish.

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