Press release

Reappointment of members to the Northern Ireland Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment (CCEA)

The Secretary of State has today announced the reappointments of members to the Northern Ireland Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment (CCEA).

The Secretary of State has today announced the reappointments of members to the Northern Ireland Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment (CCEA).

The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, the Rt Hon Julian Smith MP has reappointed three members to the Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment (CCEA).

In the absence of Northern Ireland Ministers, these reappointments were made possible by powers under the Northern Ireland (Executive Formation and Exercise of Functions) Act 2018.

Carol Fitzsimons MBE (originally appointed on 5 December 2016), Kathleen O’Hare, and Leslie Caul OBE (both originally appointed on 26 October 2015) have been reappointed for a further term of four years.

The Secretary of State said: “My absolute priority is to get Stormont up and running. In the interim my responsibility is to ensure good governance and stable public services in the best interests of the people of Northern Ireland.

“I am therefore pleased to make these reappointments so that the Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment can continue its important role advising government, monitoring standards and awarding qualifications.”

NOTES TO EDITORS

The NI Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment (CCEA) is an Executive NDPB sponsored by the Department of Education. CCEA’s role is to keep under review and provide advice on the three areas of the curriculum, examinations and assessment. The Council’s membership comprises a Chairperson and 13 members.

The reappointments will commence on 26 October 2019 for a term of four years (unless terminated before that time). Members are not remunerated but can claim travel and subsistence allowances.

The re-appointments are as follows: Mrs Carol Fitzsimons MBE is currently Chief Executive Officer of Young Enterprise NI. She is an Associate Lecturer in the Open University within the Faculty of Business and Law and is also a Scout Leader. Mrs Fitzsimons brings to the Council experience of managing staff, operational delivery, developing strategic plans and financial and risk management. She is also a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development. Mrs Fitzsimons has declared that she has not undertaken any political activity during the last five years and does not currently hold any other public appointments.

Mrs Kathleen O’Hare is the former Principal of Hazelwood Integrated College. She brings to the Council experience in governance including strategic planning and a knowledge and experience of education in both the post primary and Higher Education sectors. Mrs O’Hare is on the Board of Belfast Metropolitan College and is Chair of their Curriculum Quality and Engagement Committee. She is a Director of the Integrated Education Fund and does some consultancy work on Leadership with the British Council. She has not undertaken any political activity during the past five years.

Dr Leslie Caul OBE has held senior positions in Stranmillis University College and over a period of 30 years has written books and academic articles on education. He has held the position of Chair of the Irish Football Association (IFA) since 2007. He brings to the Council experience in governance and strategic leadership and a knowledge and experience of education within the Further Education/Higher Education sector. Dr Caul does not hold any other public appointments and he has not undertaken any political activity during the past five years.

The re-appointments to CCEA were made in accordance with the Code of Practice of the Commissioner for Public Appointments for Northern Ireland. Appointments are made on merit and political activity plays no part in the selection process. However, the Commissioner requires the political activity of appointees to be published. (See relevant details under each candidate’s name).

Media enquiries in relation to CCEA to the Department of Education Press Office Tel: 028 9127 9207. Out of office hours, contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 076 99 715 440 and your call will be returned.

Published 25 October 2019