The Education Minister established the Ministerial Taskforce in September 2025, comprising representatives from the Department of Education, the Education Authority and the Controlled Schools' Support Council.

The Taskforce led in the development of a proposed model for support for controlled schools.

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. 

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 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.