Education Authority

EA is responsible for delivery of education services in NI | Account not monitored outside office hours | Please email enquiries to: [email protected].

[Police Service NI @PoliceServiceNI]

Police investigating the circumstances of threatening emails sent to schools across Northern Ireland this morning, Wednesday 11th November, are treating the matter as a hoax. Full details here: https://t.co/BYMGpR24eO

[Education Authority @Ed_Authority]

📣 Update on Malicious Emails

The PSNI has confirmed that the threatening emails sent to schools across Northern Ireland today is being treated as a hoax.

We strongly condemn these malicious emails and the distress and disruption caused to school communities. This is the second such incident in less than a month, causing further unnecessary anxiety for children and young people, parents/carers and school staff.

EA remains in close contact with the PSNI and will continue to support schools and keep them informed.

We thank school leaders and staff for their professional response and for supporting children and young people through these challenging circumstances.

Schools should always report anything suspicious to police immediately by calling 101, or 999 in an emergency.

[Education Authority @Ed_Authority]

We are aware that another threatening email message has today been sent to a large number of schools in NI.

The message has similarities with a bogus threat sent last month, which was declared a hoax by PSNI.

EA is liaising with police on this latest message. At this stage, we have not been made aware of any evidence of any credible threat to schools. Investigations are continuing. It is for PSNI to determine the credibility or otherwise of any such message.

As always, schools are advised to be vigilant and report any suspicious activity to PSNI.
We fully appreciate that any message of this nature is distressing and can assure schools, parents/carers and children and young people that we will provide a further update following engagement with police.

[Education Authority @Ed_Authority]

📣 EA Sets Out Savings Plans

In common with other public sector bodies, the Education Authority remains in an exceptionally challenging financial position.

In short, we are being asked to deliver important services to children and young people with insufficient funding.

The projected funding for this year is significantly short of what is needed to maintain current services, let alone address the growing backlog in school maintenance. This shortfall is despite continued efforts to reduce spending and comes at a time when demand for services and operating costs - including school energy bills - continue to rise.

There is now very limited scope to make further reductions without affecting services to schools and pupils. Around 83% of EA’s budget is spent on staffing - the bulk of it on school staff. Most remaining costs are fixed - like rates and utilities - or committed to statutory, essential services.

Against this backdrop, the EA Board has carefully considered available options and agreed a series of measures to further reduce expenditure. These were difficult decisions, which sought to balance our commitment to children and young people alongside the requirement to live within the funding allocated for the year. We are also mindful of the pressures across all public services in NI, and of the fact that any overspend this year may impact on next year’s finances.

🔗 Read more: https://t.co/LypVN1PrhS

[Education Authority @Ed_Authority]

📢 Last Chance to Register

Calling all Early Career Teachers completing induction.

Join colleagues from across Northern Ireland for a day of professional learning focused on:
✅ Effective pedagogy
✅ Curriculum developments
✅ Evidence-informed practice
✅ Professional collaboration

This is your opportunity to hear from system leaders, engage with experienced practitioners and invest in your professional growth

📍 Lagan Valley Civic Centre
⚠️ Registration will close when places are filled.

🔗 Secure your place today:
📅 Monday 16 November – https://t.co/Gok90AlV88
📅 Tuesday17 November – https://t.co/zpre0AgGqZ

#ECT | #EarlyCareerTeacher | #ProfessionalLearning | #TeacherDevelopment

[Education Authority @Ed_Authority]

Welcome back to High Five! 🖐️

In this edition, we’re celebrating pupil wellbeing and getting ready for Anti-Bullying Week 2026 which takes place from 16–20 November with the theme ‘Break the Silence.’

You’ll find activities that help you feel calm, confident and connected, along with simple ways to speak up, support others and show kindness.

From Odd Socks Day to our wellbeing High Five habits, this issue is all about making our school a place where everyone feels safe, included and proud to be themselves.

Read more: https://t.co/zlCjopGp8k

[Education Authority @Ed_Authority]

📢 Clár Foghlama do Mheáncheannairí i Suíomhanna LánGhaeilge

Tá lúcháir orainn a fhógairt go bhfuil clárú dár gClár Foghlama do Mheáncheannairí i Suíomhanna LánGhaeilge anois oscailte.

Fáiltímid roimh mhúinteoirí a bhfuil taithí acu, roimh mheáncheannairí agus roimh mheáncheannairí ardaidhmeannacha a oibríonn i suíomhanna lánGhaeilge.

✅Forbair do scileanna, stíl agus cumhacht ceannaireachta.
✅Cuir le do chumas chun feabhsúchán fianaise-bhunaithe scoile agus earnála a threorú.
✅Stiúir tionscadal cumhachtach feabhsúcháin.
✅Cuir Comhphobail Foghlama Gaelscolaíochta chun cinn.

Costais ionadaíochta ar fáil.

Más mian leat clárú, déan teagmháil le [email protected].

Tabhair faoi deara gur trí Ghaeilge a bheas an clár foghlama seo.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

📢 Professional Learning Programme for Irish Medium Middle Leaders

We are delighted to announce that registration for our Irish Medium Middle Leadership Professional Learning Programme is now open.

This programme is for experienced teachers, middle leaders and aspiring middle leaders working in Irish Medium settings.

✅Develop your leadership skills, style and influence.
✅Improve your competency in leading evidence-informed school and sectoral improvement.
✅Progress an impactful improvement project.
✅Advance the development of Irish Medium Professional Learning Communities.

Substitute cover provided.

If you would like to register, please email: [email protected]

Please note that this professional learning programme will be delivered in Irish.

[Education Authority @Ed_Authority]

🎉 Celebrating 30 years of the #SolihullApproach during #TogethernessWeek (2-8 Nov)!

For the past five years, EA's Early Years Service and @SouthernHSCT have worked together to embed this relationship-based approach, supporting the wellbeing of children, families and practitioners.

We're proud to see trained EA staff now delivering Togetherness training to pre-school settings in Dungannon and Enniskillen, with plans to grow this work even further. 💙

#PositiveRelationships | #MentalHealth | #EarlyYears

[Education Authority @Ed_Authority]

📢 Controlled School Leaders: Have you registered yet?

Registration is now open for the EA Controlled Schools’ Leadership Conference 2026 taking place on Tuesday 24 November at Lagan Valley Civic Centre, Lisburn from 10.30am to 1.30pm

Exclusively for leaders from Controlled Schools, this year's conference theme, "Connecting Controlled Schools to the Community," will explore the vital role schools play in strengthening community connections and improving outcomes for children and young people.

The event will bring together school leaders from across the Controlled sector alongside key education stakeholders, providing opportunities to share experiences, celebrate success and shape future developments.

🔗 Closing date for registration is Wednesday 11 November: https://t.co/RsDd8EeVvO

Don't miss this opportunity to connect with colleagues from across the sector and be part of a day dedicated to celebrating and advancing Controlled Education.

#ControlledSchoolsWeek | #EducationNI | #ControlledSchoolLeaders | #CSW2026 | @CSSC_NI

[Education Authority @Ed_Authority]

We were also delighted to have Sandra Isherwood, Principal of Jones Memorial Primary School join us on the panel.

[Education Authority @Ed_Authority]

Panel discussion highlights from today’s conference. 💬

We were delighted to hear from an expert panel featuring Rachel Doran (Education Authority), Sonya McMullan (Women’s Aid Federation Northern Ireland), Sally Rees (NASUWT) and Eimeár McCloskey (The Athrú Project), who shared valuable insights on equality, prevention, early intervention and the collective role we all play in creating safer communities for children and young people.

Thank you to all our speakers, delegates and partners for contributing to this important conversation and helping to drive lasting, positive change for children and young people. 👏

#PEACEPLUSASPIREsharededucation | #PEACEPLUS | #SharedEducation | #EndingViolenceAgainstWomenAndGirls | @SEUPB | @earlyyearsorg | @ncn4children | @Leargas | @FermanaghTrust | @Education_NI | @Education_Ire

[Education Authority @Ed_Authority]

Did you know over 65% of primary schools are now live on Bromcom?

💡Presented by Donna Craig, SMS Product Area Lead, our latest EdIS News highlights progress to date and timelines for the remainder of the rollout, alongside key migration preparations, training opportunities and support available to schools.

➡️ Watch here: https://t.co/CZ3yYPklMf

#EdIS | #EducationNI

[Education Authority @Ed_Authority]

As the Educate, Empower, Protect conference draws to a close, we extend our sincere thanks to all speakers, delegates, partners and young people who contributed to today’s important discussions on tackling violence against women and girls.👏

Throughout the day, we heard powerful contributions from a range of voices, including Dame Siobhan Keegan, Lady Chief Justice of Northern Ireland, who highlighted the importance of respect, accountability and access to justice. 👥

Closing the conference, Eve Bremner, EA Chief Officer for Education, reflected on the importance of continued partnership working, education and early intervention in creating safer, more inclusive communities for everyone. 📚

Together, we can turn today's conversations into lasting, positive change.

#PEACEPLUSASPIREsharededucation | #PEACEPLUS | #SharedEducation | #EndingViolenceAgainstWomenAndGirls | @JudiciaryNI | @SEUPB | @earlyyearsorg |
@ncn4children | @Leargas | @FermanaghTrust | @Education_NI | @Education_Ire

[Education Authority @Ed_Authority]

We were delighted to welcome Education Minister Paul Givan MLA, alongside education leaders, practitioners, policymakers and specialist organisations from across Northern Ireland, to explore how schools and educational settings can help prevent violence against women and girls through education, early intervention and the promotion of healthy, respectful relationships. 👏

Addressing violence against women and girls requires a whole-community approach, with education playing a vital role in challenging harmful attitudes, promoting respect and helping young people build positive relationships from an early age. 🎭

🔗 Read the full press release here: https://t.co/ZCf0Vs3yly

#PEACEPLUSASPIREsharededucation | #PEACEPLUS | #SharedEducation | #EndingViolenceAgainstWomenAndGirls | @seupb
@earlyyearsorg | @ncn4children | @léargas | @fermanaghtrust | @education_ni | @Education_Ire

[Education Authority @Ed_Authority]

We're pleased to be at today's Educate, Empower, Protect: Supporting Schools and Settings in Ending Violence Against Women and Girls conference at the Crowne Plaza Belfast, where more than 100 delegates have come together to explore how education, collaboration and early intervention can help create safer, more respectful communities. 🤝🏽📚💜

Bringing together education leaders, practitioners, policymakers, young people and specialist organisations, the event highlights the importance of collective action and ensuring young people's voices are at the heart of the conversation.

Delegates heard opening remarks from Jayne Simms, Gina McIntyre and Antoin Moran, alongside an insightful keynote from Dr Siobhan McAlister of Queen's University Belfast. Attendees also experienced the powerful drama performance Behind the Banter, which challenged attitudes and behaviours and encouraged reflection on the role we all play in preventing violence against women and girls. 🎭

#PEACEPLUSASPIREsharededucation | #PEACEPLUS | #SharedEducation | #EndingViolenceAgainstWomenAndGirls | @SEUPB |@earlyyearsorg | @ncn4children | @Leargas | @FermanaghTrust |@Education_NI | @Education_Ire

[Education Authority @Ed_Authority]

📢 Andy Buck Leadership Development Programme | Registration Update

Due to high levels of interest, there are now only a limited number of places remaining for the upcoming Leading for Change programme for experienced principals with Andy Buck.

✅ If you have already registered, there is no need to reapply. Your registration remains valid.

📅 Please note that the launch event has been rescheduled and will now take place on Monday 23 November 2026.

🔗If you want to register, please do so using this link: https://t.co/NWpIdMtZYw

#ProfessionalLearningandDevelopment

[Education Authority @Ed_Authority]

⚡ The TransformED Middle Leader Programme 2026/27 is underway!

Middle leaders kicked off their "Power Up Your Leadership" journey by exploring effective leadership, organisational culture and strategies for leading change. The day was filled with reflection, collaboration and inspiring conversations about the positive impact leadership can have on school improvement.

A great start, with enthusiasm and optimism shining through from the outset. 🌟

#TransformED | #ProfessionalLearning | @Education_NI

[Education Authority @Ed_Authority]

We recently launched our Equality Action Plan 2026-29, alongside its accompanying Audit of Inequalities 2025-26, reaffirming our commitment to advancing equality of opportunity and promoting good relations across all areas of our work.

Developed following extensive engagement with stakeholders and informed by evidence gathered through the Audit of Inequalities, the new three-year Action Plan outlines a series of strategic commitments designed to address identified inequalities and improve outcomes for children and young people, staff and wider communities.

🔗 Find out more: https://t.co/irxdlLJiiv

[Education Authority @Ed_Authority]

Our latest TPL Thursdays: Showcasing ICT Excellence Awards series starts this Thursday!

Join us for an inspiring series of webinars featuring practitioners from award-winning schools who are transforming teaching and learning through the innovative use of digital technology.

Hear first-hand how schools are using digital tools to:

💡 Raise attainment and improve outcomes for learners
🤖 Harness the opportunities of AI in education
🌟 Strengthen digital leadership while enhancing literacy, numeracy, creativity and pupil voice

These sessions offer a fantastic opportunity to learn from colleagues who are making a real and lasting impact in their schools through purposeful and effective use of technology.

📅 Beginning Thursday 5 November
🔗 Explore the full programme and register: https://t.co/WxXdICRUZx

#TPLThursdays | #EducationAuthority | #ProessionalLearningandDevelopment

[Education Authority @Ed_Authority]

Two days left to apply for a Further Education Grant!

Apply online now through our student finance portal before applications close: https://t.co/W4qWsXEmIf

If you are 19 or over and studying a part-time or full-time course at a Further Education College, you may be eligible for a grant.

For more info on eligibility and applying, visit our website at https://t.co/E4UbPuDbKV