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CSSC loves to work with controlled schools to promote and celebrate pupils' success. If you have something to showcase, please let us know. Additional information can be found under CSSC publications.

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CSSC congratulates controlled school pupils across Northern Ireland on results day

18 August 2026

The Controlled Schools' Support Council (CSSC) congratulates pupils across Northern Ireland as they receive their results today, 20 August.

Controlled school pupils should feel a real sense of pride in what they have achieved through their commitment and effort. These results reflect the dedication they have shown throughout their studies, and today's achievements are well deserved.

Picture of Aa logo.  blue hat with the writing Controlled Schools' Support Council

CSSC congratulates controlled school pupils on results day

13 August 2026

The Controlled Schools' Support Council (CSSC) marks results day, 13 August, acknowledging the hard work and achievements of pupils across Northern Ireland.

ICT Excellence Awards 2026

The ICT Excellence Awards 2026 – Celebrating Northern Ireland's Digital Innovators

24 June 2026

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.

CSSC congratulates all those from the controlled sector recognised in the King's Birthday Honours 2026 on a blue background

King's Birthday Honours 2026 - Recognising Outstanding Contribution to Controlled Education in Northern Ireland

17 June 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.

Blue background with text CSSC congratulates all those recognised in Birthday Honours

Congratulations to all those from the education sector recognised in the Honours List including CSSC Council member, Professor John Anderson MBE.

12 June 2026

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, Clare Primary School and Paul Givan, Education Minister

CSSC Excellence in Educational Research Award: Emma Hylands, Clare Primary School

29 May 2026

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.

Left to right  Photo (1) Paul Givan, Education Minister; Thornfield House Special School and Mark Baker, Chief Executive, CSSC. Photo (2) Peter Martin MLA; Mark Baker, Chief Executive, CSSC; Jayne Millar, Head of Education Support, CSSC; David Brooks MLA and David Malcom, Permanent Secretary, Department of Education. Photo (3)  Emma Hylands, Principal, Clare Primary School being presented an award by Paul Givan, Education Minister. Photo (4) Close up of pupils from Thornfield House Special School choir.

Education Minister recognises excellence in controlled school leadership and launches CSSC’s launch Building Capacity: Leading Improvement publication

29 May 2026

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.

Building Capacity programme 2425 cohort with 2026 study visit

Building Capacity Programme Connects Controlled Schools to World-Leading Education Systems

16 March 2026

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.

Education Minister, CSU representative, CSSC representative, Principal and pupils Belfast Boys Model School

Dedicated Controlled Schools’ Unit launched

04 February 2026

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 PS Principal holding Award standing in front of a British Council pop up

Dunclug Primary School Wins Prestigious International Award

03 February 2026

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.