Northern Ireland Curriculum Consultation

Overview

The Department of Education is consulting on a new statutory curriculum for Northern Ireland.  The consultation is presented across a suite of documents, as follows: 

• Overview paper: explains the background to reform, the need for curriculum reform and gives an overview of the structure of the new Northern Ireland Curriculum. 
• Subject frameworks: set out the vision for each subject and the statutory content that will secure pupils’ progression in that subject.
• The capabilities: outlines the overarching capabilities (emergent qualities and attributes) that children and young people will develop as a result of learning the new curriculum.  

You should read the relevant documents on the Department’s website via this link before responding to this consultation.

Please note this consultation is about the statutory legal content of the curriculum. It is not about pedagogy, teaching techniques, resources or professional development. Matters such as learning through play in the Foundation Stage, or techniques such as project work or direct instruction will not be referenced in the legal framework, but will be considered through guidance materials including pedagogical principles.  

Why your views matter

This consultation seeks your feedback on the proposed structure and the approach to curriculum design, including the content, structure and sequencing.

The consultation period on the new curriculum will be from 16 June 2026 to 30 September 2026.  

The Department welcomes all responses to refine and strengthen the design of the new Northern Ireland Curriculum.

You can respond using this survey or directly to the Department (curriculumconsultation@education-ni.gov.uk). 

Privacy and confidentiality

Responses may be published on the Department’s website with names and contact details removed. 

If you would prefer your response to remain unpublished, tick the confidentiality box in the appropriate section or contact the Department at curriculumconsultation@education-ni.gov.uk

When responding to free text boxes please do not disclose personal information, either of yourself or others as they may be published, unless you have informed the Department that you wish for your response to remain unpublished.

The survey complies with the Data Protection Act 2018 including The UK GDPR | ICO. The Privacy Notice for this survey explains the legislative basis for the survey and your data protection rights.