About this Event
A key priority for the Department of Education is strengthening teacher understanding of the Principles of Assessment, ensuring all teachers in Northern Ireland have the opportunity to explore or revisit this important area and build strong foundations for the new statutory assessment pathway outlined in the Policy Framework for Statutory Assessment in Northern Ireland.
To support this, CCEA is inviting Principals and Assessment Leads/Coordinators to participate in an Assessment Professional Development Programme for the 2026–27 academic year.
This programme comprises two major professional learning opportunities designed to enhance assessment literacy across schools:
(1) Principles of Assessment Conference
CCEA invites one Principal and one Assessment Lead/Coordinator per school to attend an in‑person assessment training event on Monday 9 November 2026 at La Mon Hotel, Belfast.
The conference will include sessions on:
- Assessment expertise and insights from Dr Mick Walker, member of the Independent Review of Assessment Panel
- Opportunities to engage with current thinking
- Effective practice in assessment
Please note that attendance at the in-person Principles of Assessment Conference on 9 November 2026 forms part of the accredited CIEA programme. Assessment leads participating in the certificate programme must either attend the November event or access the recording, which will be made available online. Registration is required in both instances. As the conference forms an integral part of the learning experience attendance is encouraged.
(2) Certificate in Educational Assessment
One Assessment Lead/Coordinator per school is offered the opportunity to complete the Certificate in Educational Assessment, delivered by the Chartered Institute of Educational Assessors (CIEA).
The programme will be delivered over five weeks through a flexible blended learning approach, with participants completing one module each week.
The Certificate programme is expected to run four times:
- Autumn Cohort - commencing 9 November 2026
- Winter Cohort - commencing January 2027
- Spring Cohort - commencing February 2027
- Summer Cohort - commencing April 2027
Registration
You are now invited to register for the Principles of Assessment Conference on 9 November at La Mon Hotel. Registration closes 23 October, 11am. Each school may nominate one Principal and/or one Assessment Lead/Coordinator, and each attendee must complete their own Eventbrite registration.
Order Form (Other Information)
Upon checkout, please complete the Order Form (Other Information) and confirm:
- Whether you are attending as a Principal or Assessment Lead/Coordinator
- Whether you are attending the conference only
- Whether you intend to undertake the Certificate in Educational Assessment (Assessment Lead/Coordinator)
- Your preferred Certificate cohort (Autumn, Winter, Spring or Summer)
Full completion of the Order form is required in order to confirm your application for the Certificate in Educational Excellence.
Important Information
- Participation in the Assessment Professional Development Programme 2026-27 is open only to staff from schools in Northern Ireland.
- Each attendee must complete their own Eventbrite registration. For example, if both a Principal and an Assessment Lead/Coordinator are attending from the same school, each person must submit a separate registration.
- Substitute cover is not available for participants attending the conference or undertaking the Certificate programme.
- Schools can avail of the Teacher Professional Learning (TPL) Fund.
- Further details, including confirmed dates, times and joining information, will be shared with participants once the Eventbrite registration window closes (23 October 2026, 11am).
- If you have any questions about the programme, registration process or participation requirements, please contact CCEA on [email protected] for further information.
Event venue & nearby stays
La Mon Hotel & Country Club, 41 Gransha Road, Belfast, United Kingdom
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