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Building Capacity Programme Connects Controlled Schools to World-Leading Education Systems
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.
Jill Brown, Schools' Support Officer, CSSC introducing Building Capacity
Controlled school leaders undertook an international study visit to China as part of CSSC's Building Capacity programme. This professional learning opportunity supported the Department of Education's TransformED strategy by learning from one of the world's highest-performing education systems.
TransformED recognises that the quality of teaching is the single most important factor within schools in improving outcomes for pupils. The Building Capacity programme delivered high-quality professional learning for controlled school leaders, aligned with TransformED's Point 3 focus on Teacher Professional Learning.
This cohort undertook their international study visit to China in March 2026, having completed the Building Capacity programme. This built on previous successful study visits to Finland, Estonia and Croatia.
Participating school leaders observed evidence-informed practices, engaged with international education methodologies, and developed approaches that can be implemented in their schools to benefit children and young people in the controlled sector.
The controlled sector represents 49% of Northern Ireland's schools, which are diverse, inclusive and open to all. Through programmes like Building Capacity, controlled school leaders continued to make best practice common practice across the education system.
16 March 2026