Northern Ireland

Co Armagh high school involved in £750 million online information system to support NI schools

Patrick Nugent and Niamh Carvill with teacher Michelle Rafferty of St Patrick’s High School, Keady, Sara Long, EA chief executive, Dr Fionnuala Moore, principal of St Patrick’s High School and EA Director of Education, Michele Corkey
Patrick Nugent and Niamh Carvill with teacher Michelle Rafferty of St Patrick’s High School, Keady, Sara Long, EA chief executive, Dr Fionnuala Moore, principal of St Patrick’s High School and EA Director of Education, Michele Corkey Patrick Nugent and Niamh Carvill with teacher Michelle Rafferty of St Patrick’s High School, Keady, Sara Long, EA chief executive, Dr Fionnuala Moore, principal of St Patrick’s High School and EA Director of Education, Michele Corkey

A CO Armagh high school has been involved in the development of a new £750 million online information system to support schools over the next 10 years.

Pupils and staff from St Patrick’s High School, Keady worked with the Education Authority (EA) on the Education Information Solutions (EdIS) Programme.

The new digital system aims to "facilitate the transformation of learning and teaching through technology" and was used for the first time by incoming P1 parents applying for school places in September.

The programme will see a phasing out of the old C2K system and will also take over the running of the Northern Ireland substitute teacher register for the start of the next academic year.

As part of the initiative, 20,000 state-of-the-art laptops have been distributed to teachers to date.

Sara Long, EA chief executive said: "EdIS will be fundamental in providing modern, efficient and effective services and service delivery that will simplify school administration for school staff and wider education stakeholders and at the same time increase parental engagement and support teaching using technology.

"EdIS will deliver a joined up technology environment underpinned by a data analytics warehouse and platform that will provide analysis and reports to inform future policy making and support pupil centric learning to inspire and support our children and young people to be the best they can be."

Michele Corkey, EA director of education, said: "EdIS will shine a light on learning, connecting people, resources and places and will have the power to transform and enhance the learning of our children and young people.

"We were delighted to work in partnership with staff and pupils from St Patrick’s High School, Keady who helped us develop the vibrant EdIS brand.

"The level of creativity and talent on display in creating the EdIS brand was outstanding and we are grateful for the school’s support with this aspect of the project.

"The pandemic has highlighted more than ever the critical importance of not only listening to our young people, but also putting their vision and views at the heart of everything we do.

"I would also like to take the opportunity to thank our partners in the Department of Education and Department of Finance who have been instrumental in supporting the delivery of the EdIS programme."