Ms Arlene Forster:

I would refer to a few points I made earlier when we spoke about how a redeveloped senior cycle might support all students more equitably. When we look across the three big priority areas set out in the advisory report, which are trying to achieve greater flexibility in choice in terms of pathways for young people, and focus again on the curriculum components, expanding those and broadening then the assessment arrangements, there is great potential in each of those three areas to better meet the needs of all young people. We have touched already on a number of the particular strategies within those that hold potential for reducing stress and pressure on young people such as the particular assessment arrangements that are in place, the particular programmes we currently have and removing ultimately the ring-fencing around those programmes but also making better provision for young people in areas such as technical learning, professional learning or creative learning.

I wish to pick up on an important aspect, namely, that of provision for young people with special educational needs. This is a matter on which Mr. Slattery touched. He mentioned that one of the innovations as part of the redevelopment of junior cycle was to develop level 1 and level 2 learning programmes. They were positively received by students, their families and teachers who work with those young people. As part of the review, one of the points that has been highlighted time and again is that currently there is no follow-through for those young people. This is an important piece of work that is needed in order to ensure continuity and a pathway that is appropriate for young people. As part of the review, attention was drawn to the importance of that work beginning as quickly as possible and that there would be a strong emphasis on it being age, peer and learning-needs appropriate. That is a significant item of work that needs to be progressed quickly as part of the redevelopment of senior cycle so much so that in the advisory report we noted we were beginning a few particular pieces of work that were important to get off the ground quite quickly. Across those three big areas and that special educational needs element in particular, there is great potential to address the challenges to which Senator Flynn drew attention.