Call for Evidence

Overview

Call for Evidence

Independent Review of Statutory Key Stage Assessment

Section 1        Independant Review of Assessment 

Section 2        Statutory Key Stage Assessment 

Section 3        Call for Evidence 

Why your views matter

Section 1 Independent Review

1.1     On the 9^th June 2025, Education Minister Paul Givan established an Independent Review of Assessment Panel of education experts to advise on assessment in Northern Ireland.

1.2     The Minister has appointed Tim Oates CBE as Chairperson of the Panel along with Dr Mick Walker and Mr Garry Matthewson as panel members. The Panel has been tasked to conduct an evidence-based review of assessment approaches in Northern Ireland and internationally and make a series of policy proposals about the purpose, nature and design of assessment in Northern Ireland.

1.3     This Call for Evidence invites your views on the current nature of Key Stage assessment; other types of assessment available and the desirability and scope of potential measures for change.

1.4     We have raised issues and questions in this Call for Evidence in an attempt to assist respondents – if you think we have missed important issues, please raise them. In addition, while we welcome all views, we would also value any objective evidence which respondents can provide.

1.5     The Call for Evidence is part of wider evidence gathering exercise that includes visits to schools, online/face-to-face engagement, a survey for teachers and the receipt of submissions.

1.6     The review panel welcomes your views on the questions set out in this paper. Please feel free to answer all, or only some of the questions. 

1.7     In order to allow the review panel to properly consider this evidence, the deadline for submissions is 30 October 2025

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