Northern Ireland Curriculum — A Teacher's Guide (P1–P7)
A clear guide to the Northern Ireland Curriculum for primary teachers — the 6 Areas of Learning, key differences from England/Scotland/Wales, the 11+ transfer test, Shared Education, and ETI inspections.
Preview
Page count: 3. Print-ready PDF — letter / A4 friendly. Click image to see all pages.
The 6 Areas of Learning
- 1 Language and Literacy English language skills — reading, writing, talking and listening. Irish language is also taught in many schools (particularly Catholic-maintained schools and Irish-medium schools).
- 2 Mathematics and Numeracy Number, algebra, shape/space/measures, and handling data. Strong emphasis on mental maths and problem-solving.
- 3 The Arts Art and design, drama, and music — treated as a connected area. Strong emphasis on practical making and creative expression.
- 4 The World Around Us History, Geography, Science, and Technology combined into one integrated area — similar to SESE in the Republic. Local environment, local history, and the natural world.
- 5 Personal Development & Mutual Understanding (PDMU) NI's distinctive PSHE/citizenship subject. 'Mutual Understanding' specifically addresses relationships between communities — central to NI's social context.
- 6 Physical Education Gross motor skills, games, gymnastics, dance, swimming, and outdoor/adventurous activities.
How the NI Curriculum differs
Key differences from other UK curricula
- ▶ P1–P7 year groups (same as Scotland — very different from England's Year 1–6 numbering)
- ▶ THE WORLD AROUND US: combines History, Geography, Science, and Technology — no separate subjects until secondary (same philosophy as Irish SESE)
- ▶ PDMU (Personal Development & Mutual Understanding): unique to NI — addresses community relations, diversity, and respect between traditions
- ▶ 11+ TRANSFER TEST: grammar schools still exist in NI. Transfer tests (AQE and GL Assessment) taken in autumn of P7. About 40% of pupils sit them.
- ▶ CONTROLLED and MAINTAINED SCHOOLS: state-controlled schools are mainly attended by Protestant pupils; Catholic-maintained schools are mainly Catholic. Integrated schools (both traditions together) are a third type, growing in numbers.
- ▶ SHARED EDUCATION: a government programme bringing together pupils from controlled and maintained schools for joint activities and learning
- ▶ ETI INSPECTIONS: the Education and Training Inspectorate (ETI) inspects NI schools — different from Ofsted, HMIE, or Estyn
- ▶ ASSESSMENT: no SATs. Teacher assessment throughout. KS1 assessment tasks (P4) and transfer tests (P7) are the key assessment points.
Learning objective
Understand the structure of the NI Curriculum; explain how it differs from other UK curricula; identify key features including PDMU, Shared Education, and the 11+ transfer test.
About this resource
NI Curriculum resources
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For teachers
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N Northern Ireland Curriculum — free at nicurriculum.org.uk
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C CCEA Assessment for Learning NI primary guide
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G Getting it Right for Every Child — NI guidance — Various
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