AQW 43306/22-27
Ms Claire Sugden
Independent
East Londonderry
Tabled Date: 26/03/2026
Answered On Date: 17/04/2026
Priority Written: No
Question:
To ask the Minister of Education to detail any arrangements in place to monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of measures implemented by individual schools to address underperformance among disadvantaged pupils.
Answer:
In recent years, the absence of consistent pupillevel data at Key Stages 1 to 3 has limited the Department’s ability to assess attainment at system level. To address this, the Department has introduced systemlevel sample assessments to provide reliable nationallevel evidence on attainment. Pupils sat these low workload, low stakes tests in March. The data currently being analysed will help identify trends, strengths and areas for improvement, informing future policy and targeted support. The Independent Review of Assessment set out a longerterm approach to reform. On 15 April 2026, the Department published its formal response alongside a new Policy Framework for Statutory Assessment. The new Framework establishes a clear assessment pathway from Year 1 to Year 10, supported by short, curriculumaligned assessments, providing consistent information on pupils for schools and parents. The new system will be less high-stakes, reflecting the Department’s commitment to publishing system-level data only, and will support greater equity, inclusion and fairness. A stronger emphasis on formative assessment will help teachers identify gaps in learning earlier - particularly in literacy and numeracy - and put targeted support in place. This is especially important for children from disadvantaged backgrounds. More reliable systemlevel information will also enable the Department to better target policy and interventions to reduce the attainment gap.
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