Category: Stranmillis News

A new mixed-methods study funded by EPIC Futures NI and UKRI has highlighted significant challenges facing young people with special educational needs (SEN) as they transition from full-time school education into further education, training, employment or day-care provision in Northern Ireland. 

The research, led by Stranmillis University College’s Director of Research and Scholarship, Prof. Noel Purdy OBE, examined the range of post-school provisions currently available to young people with SEN, alongside the barriers, gaps and inconsistencies within the existing transition system. 

Drawing on evidence from young people, parents and carers, and professionals working across education and support services, the study found that post-19 transition pathways are often fragmented, unclear and insufficiently coordinated. 

Across all strands of the research, participants described a system that frequently fails to provide continuity, clarity or access to meaningful opportunities, leaving many young people and families struggling to navigate the move into adult life. 

The findings point to an urgent need for transformational change in how post-19 pathways are planned, delivered and evaluated. 

The report, entitled Transform: Exploring Pathways and Barriers for Young People with Disabilities, sets out five key recommendations to support more coherent and equitable transitions, including: 

• the development of a single, live, centralised mapping system of provision 

• legislative reform to introduce a statutory duty beyond age 19 

• increased investment in existing services 

• improved joined-up planning between government departments and agencies and a stronger commitment to listening to the voices of young people themselves. 

Overall, the study calls for a more coordinated and inclusive transition system that genuinely enables young people with SEN to thrive and achieve meaningful outcomes as they move into adult life. 

Download a copy of the report here.

 

A Stranmillis University College lecturer is preparing to take a 15,000-foot leap of faith this February to raise vital funds for children’s education in India, ahead of a transformative international placement for student teachers. 

Jill Magennis, who is leading a Stranmillis University College team to India this spring, will complete a sponsored skydive with Skydive Ireland in support of Saphara, an education charity working with marginalised communities across India. 

12 Year 3 BEd students from Stranmillis University College and St Mary’s University College have been selected to take part in the programme and will travel to India in April. During the visit, students will work in partnership with teachers in Saphara’s schools, gaining first-hand experience of how education can transform lives in contexts of poverty. 

The group’s main placement will be at SNEHA Doon Academy in Dehradun, where more than 1,000 children from marginalised communities are educated. Students will support Literacy and Numeracy teaching, engage in professional dialogue with local teachers and deepen their understanding of how social, cultural and economic contexts shape schooling. The visit will also include time at Kaplani High School in the Himalayan region, further enriching students’ global and cultural awareness. 

Speaking ahead of the skydive, Jill said: 

 “I believe this amazing opportunity to visit India will be life-changing for our students and for the children and teachers they will work alongside. Education has the power to create opportunity, security and hope — and that’s why I’m quite literally jumping out of my comfort zone to support this important work.” 

Every £100 raised through the fundraiser will provide a full year of education for a child, covering school fees, uniform, shoes, books, stationery and daily meals.  

Crucially, this support also helps keep girls safely in education, protecting them from forced marriage and trafficking, while empowering them to reach their full potential. 

All funds raised will go directly to Saphara’s education programmes in India. 

Donations can be made via Jill’s fundraising page: https://saphara.enthuse.com/pf/jillmagennisjumpforsaphara  

Read more about the impactful work of Saphara here. 

Stranmillis University College is pleased to announce that international education expert Lucy Crehan will deliver the keynote address, ‘Global Learning for Transforming Curriculum in Northern Ireland’, at the third annual Dr Éamon Phoenix Memorial Lecture at Stranmillis University College.

The event takes on Wednesday 28th January 2026.

Lucy Crehan is International Director at the Centre for Education Systems, widely recognised for her work as an education explorer and international consultant, and recently undertook a strategic review of the Northern Ireland curriculum in partnership with the Department of Education.

Her acclaimed book, Cleverlands: The Secrets Behind the Success of the World’s Education Superpowers, was named one of The Economist’s Books of the Year in 2016. Ms Crehan also authored a major study on teacher career structures for the International Institute for Educational Planning at UNESCO, and spent a year advising governments on education reform with the Education Development Trust.

The event will also feature an address from the Minister of Education, Paul Givan MLA, and will include an interview with Ms Crehan following the keynote lecture. 

Established in 2023, the Dr Éamon Phoenix Memorial Lecture at Stranmillis honours the legacy of the late Dr Éamon Phoenix, a renowned historian and much-loved colleague who served as Principal Lecturer and Head of Lifelong Learning at Stranmillis University College.

The annual lecture attracts educators, researchers, students and professionals to engage in informed discussion on contemporary educational issues.

To attend this free event, register via Eventbrite here.

The Governing Body and staff of Stranmillis University College are delighted that our colleague of thirty-five years, Prof. Ken Gibson, has been honoured in the King’s New Year’s Honours list with an MBE for services to education.

Throughout his career, Prof. Gibson, who is himself a graduate of  Stranmillis University College, has shown unwavering dedication to educational excellence, student welfare, and innovative approaches to widening access.

Principal and CEO, Prof. Jonathan Heggarty stated “I would like to extend my heartfelt congratulations to Prof. Ken Gibson in being recogised in the King’s New Year’s Honours. This is richly deserved by Prof. Gibson who has demonstrated outstanding commitment to students and colleagues for over thirty-five years.”

 

Are you looking for Professional Development opportunities in 2026?

Limited Skill Up funding is now available for the following postgraduate modules commencing February 2026.

• Global and Shared Education

This module is ideal for anyone working in partnership-based education or training. You’ll explore:

• Building sustainable and inclusive partnership routines
• Shared education provision and stakeholder engagement
• Global networking and international perspectives
• Universal Design for Learning and inclusive pedagogy

Past participants have included practitioners from early years, primary, post-primary, FE, and training. We welcome applications from all sectors.

• Outdoor Learning

A practical, spring-focused module exploring:

• Outdoor curricula from a series of professional practitioner’  perspectives – early years, primary/post primary, FE and HE
• Project-based learning outdoors
• Teaching literacy and numeracy in outdoor environments
• Teaching a range of subjects outdoors:  from play pedagogy to Business, Art, Geography, History, Science and Engineering
• Developing whole-school, whole-college or subject outdoor learning plans

You’ll learn with three specialist practitioners representing early years/primary, post-primary, and FE/HE project-based learning. This module is suitable for all phases, and we particularly encourage those working with or interested in PBL to apply.

These fully funded Skill Up opportunities aim to strengthen sustainability, partnership working, outdoor learning, and innovative pedagogy across Northern Ireland’s education and training sectors.

Apply now: Visit our application page at https://www.stran.ac.uk/courses/postgraduate/master-of-education-med-education-studies/

More information: See our module brochure – Click here

Questions? Contact us at cpd@stran.ac.uk

Please also note our brochure and website has lots of other module options if you are able to apply for TPL or College sponsorship at this time.  You may also avail of student finance for other modules on offer.

Places are limited and will be offered on a first come, first served basis.