AQW 9559/22-27

Ms Kate Nicholl
Alliance Party
South Belfast

Tabled Date: 08/04/2024
Answered On Date: 12/04/2024
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Education what consideration he has given to reviewing the development proposal process for schools seeking to transform to integrated status to expediate, streamline and improve the process of transformation.

Answer:

Development proposals are the statutory means by which proposed significant changes to education provision can be effected, including transformations to integrated status.

Each proposal is considered on its individual merits, taking account of all the pertinent information and legislation, including the Integrated Education Act (Northern Ireland) 2022 as it applies to proposals for schools to transform.

I have no current plans to review the development proposal process.

You should note that my officials, working with partner bodies, are currently reviewing “Integration Works” which is guidance for existing schools seeking to transform to Integrated status. Transformation is also a statutory process however the review may provide an opportunity to consider how the non-statutory aspects of the support could be improved by drawing on lessons learned from previous proposals.