02/06/2025
New Online Academy To Boost NI's Post-Primary Teacher Development
Education Minister Paul Givan has unveiled an innovative Online Teacher Continued Professional Development (CPD) Academy, a partnership with InnerDrive, a leading UK provider of cognitive science-based educational training.
The new programme aims to deliver high-impact, evidence-informed professional development to post-primary teachers across Northern Ireland, aligning with the Minister's commitment to a skilled and motivated education workforce.
Minister Givan stated: "I committed in TransformED to prioritising the professional learning needs of our teaching workforce. This partnership with InnerDrive reflects our dedication to equipping teachers with cutting-edge tools to meet the evolving needs of our students. By delivering accessible, research-driven professional learning, we are fostering a culture of continuous improvement, ensuring better outcomes for young people across Northern Ireland."
The new Teacher CPD Academy will offer interactive, on-demand courses, expert insights, and practical resources grounded in cognitive science research. Key topics include Cognitive Load Theory, Retrieval Practice, and Metacognition, all designed to enhance teaching and learning outcomes within the classroom.
The Minister further explained the benefits: "As well as helping teachers to keep up to date with educational research, the Teacher CPD Academy will also help teachers to learn practical strategies that will help to make a difference in the classroom. Each course also has a discussion forum where staff can ask questions and exchange teaching and learning ideas with other educators from around the world."
Minister Givan expressed his satisfaction with the uptake: "This is an exciting opportunity for our post primary schools and I am delighted that so many have chosen to participate in this programme. I hope to launch a further programme for primary schools in the near future."
Developed by InnerDrive's team of psychologists, former teachers, and educators, the platform will support schools in creating tailored, evidence-based CPD programmes to empower educators and improve student performance. Over 6,000 teachers in Northern Ireland are expected to benefit from this initiative. The rollout of an online professional learning programme focused on the science of learning is a key commitment within the Department's TransformED Strategy.
The new programme aims to deliver high-impact, evidence-informed professional development to post-primary teachers across Northern Ireland, aligning with the Minister's commitment to a skilled and motivated education workforce.
Minister Givan stated: "I committed in TransformED to prioritising the professional learning needs of our teaching workforce. This partnership with InnerDrive reflects our dedication to equipping teachers with cutting-edge tools to meet the evolving needs of our students. By delivering accessible, research-driven professional learning, we are fostering a culture of continuous improvement, ensuring better outcomes for young people across Northern Ireland."
The Minister further explained the benefits: "As well as helping teachers to keep up to date with educational research, the Teacher CPD Academy will also help teachers to learn practical strategies that will help to make a difference in the classroom. Each course also has a discussion forum where staff can ask questions and exchange teaching and learning ideas with other educators from around the world."
Minister Givan expressed his satisfaction with the uptake: "This is an exciting opportunity for our post primary schools and I am delighted that so many have chosen to participate in this programme. I hope to launch a further programme for primary schools in the near future."
Developed by InnerDrive's team of psychologists, former teachers, and educators, the platform will support schools in creating tailored, evidence-based CPD programmes to empower educators and improve student performance. Over 6,000 teachers in Northern Ireland are expected to benefit from this initiative. The rollout of an online professional learning programme focused on the science of learning is a key commitment within the Department's TransformED Strategy.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A sunny but frosty start for many. However cloud increases by midday with a few showers reaching the north coast, these mostly light but spreading inland this afternoon. Chilly. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A rather cloudy evening with scattered showers. Becoming drier through the night with some good clear spells developing and a patchy frost away from coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.