Scope Articles

First I must honour God: the Catholic RE certificate

5 Mar 2020

The return of Stormont gives legislators the opportunity to loosen the grip that religious organisations have on our schools.

Northern Ireland needs a Programme for Government that’s fit for the future

4 Mar 2020

If we want to cut our cloth as best as possible for the short- and long-term, the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals might be a good place to start.

A changing world is daunting for parents

26 Feb 2020

We look at Parenting NI’s second annual Big Parenting Survey, which explored concerns about tech – and asked parents about their hopes for their children.

We don’t know enough about academic selection

30 Jan 2020

A comprehensive study on the effects of academic selection in Northern Ireland is needed. A new report from Stranmillis University College's Centre for Research in Educational Underachievement shows why.

Stormont’s back – and everyone’s inbox is full

Stormont’s return has left the NIHRC annual statement out of date, sort of - but it’s also more relevant than when it was published.

16 Jan 2020

The Assembly’s return is a big deal and surely better than the past three years. However, the list of issues MLAs face is enormous. Scope looks at human rights in NI.

More than a good start

9 Jan 2020

Sure Start is two decades old but still going strong. Scope takes a look at a long-running programme that has managed to stay fresh.

Reductive politics is on collision course with reality

18 Dec 2019

It wasn’t just election week, it was Brexit election week. Or was it? And what about the Stormont talks? Voters are more subtle than politicians and we stand at a policy crossroads. Without fixes there could be enormous public anger.

The importance of self-efficacy

12 Dec 2019

Self-efficacy is a person’s belief in their ability to succeed at tasks they take on. We should all know more about it, and its effects.

Schools: the price of segregation

6 Dec 2019

The troubled history of the Northern Irish state is full of “if only” moments.

How is NI performing? (part three)

16 Oct 2019

Our third and final article looking at how our public sector is doing, by its own measure.

In education, religion’s reach goes far beyond segregation

8 Oct 2019

A new report from Ulster University has found that religion – and specific religious groups – hold sway at every level of the NI schools system.

How is NI performing? (Part two)

NI - it's a beautiful place (photo by Thomas Kelley on Unsplash)

8 Oct 2019

The second in our trio of articles taking an accessible look at how our public sector is doing, by its own measure.

How is Northern Ireland performing? (part one)

3 Oct 2019

The Executive Office recently published its year-end report looking at progress against outcomes in the draft Programme for Government. Scope takes a look at the bottom line.

Autism petition approaches 10,000 signatures

29 Aug 2019

Autism NI is calling for mandatory autism training for all teachers in Northern Ireland –organising a petition they will present at Stormont next month. Scope speaks with CEO Kerry Boyd.

Employers for Childcare publishes annual childcare report

27 Jun 2019

The need to restructure childcare in Northern Ireland has long been ignored. But the campaign for change is building momentum.

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