News

CSSC congratulates the controlled schools across Northern Ireland recognised for their outstanding use of digital technology in teaching and learning at the ICT Excellence Awards 2026.

The Controlled Schools' Support Council warmly congratulates the five individuals from the controlled sector who have been honoured in the King's Birthday Honours 2026. Each has made an outstanding contribution to education in Northern Ireland, through decades of dedicated service, transformative leadership, and tireless voluntary commitment. Their recognition is well deserved, and we are proud to acknowledge their achievements.

CSSC congratulates all recipients from the education sector recognised in the King's Birthday Honours with a special mention to those in the controlled sector including CSSC Council member, Professor John Anderson MBE

Emma Hylands, Principal of Clare Primary School, Tandragee, has been named as this year's recipient of the CSSC Excellence in Educational Research Award, presented by Education Minister Paul Givan MLA at Parliament Buildings, Stormont.

Controlled school leaders from across Northern Ireland were joined by the Education Minister at Parliament Buildings, Stormont, for a celebration of evidence-informed school improvement in the controlled sector.

The Controlled Schools' Support Council's Building Capacity Programme has, since 2019, supported school leaders to drive sustained improvement, rooted in research, tested in classrooms, and focused on what matters most: outcomes for children and young people.

The Controlled Schools' Support Council (CSSC), in partnership with the Confucius Institute NI Ulster University, supported controlled school leaders to drive whole-school improvement through its Building Capacity programme.

The programme included an international study visit where participants observed evidence-informed practices from high-performing education systems, helping leaders strengthen teaching, learning and collaboration in their schools.

The Education Authority's new Controlled Schools' Unit (CSU) was formally launched at an event held at Belfast Boys' Model School. Education Minister Paul Givan joined school leaders and partner organisations to mark the occasion, which represents the first phase of recommendations from the Controlled Schools Taskforce. The CSU will provide dedicated support to controlled schools, the largest and most diverse sector in Northern Ireland, serving around 150,000 children and young people. More than 250 school leaders and partners helped shape the Unit's priorities.

Dunclug Primary School, a controlled school located in Ballymena has been awarded the British Council's International School Award for its exceptional work bringing global perspectives into the classroom.

The Chief Executives of the bodies that manage, support and provide services to Northern Ireland's schools have today published a statement expressing profound concerns about the financial crisis facing the education system.

The Controlled Schools’ Support Council (CSSC) warmly welcomes the Minister of Education’s announcement of his intention to establish a new statutory organisation to provide dedicated support to controlled schools across Northern Ireland.