New special schools plan aims to reshape Northern Ireland’s education system

Northern Ireland’s Education Authority (EA) has announced plans to create five new special school campuses, including one at the former Orangefield High School in Belfast – the alma mater of musician Van Morrison. The initiative is part of a wider effort to add 6,000 special school places across the region by 2032.

Education Minister Paul Givan has called for £1.7bn in capital funding to meet the demand, acknowledging that special schools have reached capacity. The funding would also support 5,000 additional mainstream school places. “We need more than words when it comes to addressing SEN,” he said, stressing that special education is a “societal obligation.”

The plan has been met with cautious optimism. Parent advocacy group SEN Reform NI and independent autism reviewer Ema Cubitt have both urged the Northern Ireland Executive to deliver “meaningful change” through coordinated action. They argue that systemic inaction has left families struggling with stress, lost income, and a lack of suitable placements.

Local leaders have welcomed the opportunity for long-overdue investment. Chris Murphy, principal of Cedar Lodge School, described the expansion as a “wonderful opportunity” to better support young people with complex needs in north Belfast.

Beyond education, stakeholders view the plan as a chance to strengthen wider social outcomes, from community wellbeing to workforce participation. The challenge now lies in ensuring that promises are backed by funding and delivery.

Read the full article to see how this ambitious plan could reshape Northern Ireland’s education system.