AQW 32058/22-27

Mr Nick Mathison
Alliance Party
Strangford

Tabled Date: 25/09/2025
Answered On Date: 09/10/2025
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Education to detail any international best practices that informed his proposals regarding the future of CCEA GCSEs, AS Levels and A Levels.

Answer:

My proposals for the consultation on the Future of CCEA GCSEs, AS levels and A levels, build on insights from the TransformED Strategy, the Strategic Review of the Curriculum, the Independent Review of Education, the ‘A Fair Start’ report, and the 14–19 Strategy, all of which drew from research and evaluation of best practices.

My Department has also engaged with the OECD in a research project on establishing comparative best practices regarding assessment and certification. This has established that the current system in Northern Ireland, whereby many students sit high-stakes examinations across four consecutive years, is highly unusual by comparison to other countries. Many successful economies require students to take significantly fewer examinations and assessments.

The consultation is an opportunity for students, parents, educators, employers and wider stakeholders to share their views on my proposals to ensure that CCEA’s qualifications remain relevant and fit for purpose.