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Stormont can stretch the bounds of process and at least do *something*

Roll up, roll up! (Photo by Becky Phan on Unsplash)

1 Jun 2022

Is Stormont about to get weird? Maybe. Is weird better than silent? Yes.

Less uncertainty is a good thing

PM Theresa May needed to do a deal and the DUP has taken home some policy concessions and a lot of money

27 Jun 2017

The Tory-DUP deal at Westminster will remove some of the many layers of uncertainty plaguing local politics and policy – overall, good news for the third sector.

The draft Programme for Government and education

18 Nov 2016

Scope takes a look at the draft PfG, currently out for consultation, and the educational aspects of its strategic aims and associated indicators.

Weir gears up for battle over rural schools

21 Oct 2016

When Education Minister Peter Weir launched the latest consultation on the future of schools he was setting himself for a severe examination which will test him to the limit. 

Integral to the future - integrated education, a choice for everyone

Illustration by Patrick Sanders

7 Oct 2016

In the first of our big series on education in Northern Ireland, Scope talks to the Integrated Education Fund about their vision for schools.

Debate of the Week: NSMC and education

Illustration by Patrick Sanders

6 Oct 2016

The latest Debate of the Week is a Brexit-infused look at a recent meeting of the North/South Ministerial Council.

Education - the discussion begins

Illustration by Patrick Sanders

9 Sep 2016

Scope is planning a series of articles on any and all aspects of our education system - and we want to hear from you.

Promoting good race relations in NI

Illustration by Patrick Sanders

26 May 2016

The best recipe for good relations between minorities and everyone else is people from different backgrounds meeting on an equal footing and getting to know each other better as individuals, according to the South Belfast Roundtable

Outcomes and the Programme for Government

NCB has been hosting introductions to OBA

20 May 2016

The new PfG - currently under construction, intertwined with sticky negotiations over the Executive - will be "outcomes-based". What does this mean? Surely this can't be new? Scope looks at a new model for all sectors.

Sinn Fein Assembly manifesto for 2016

29 Apr 2016

We continue to look at the main party's manifestos ahead of the Assembly elections - and find that Sinn Fein's document is unsurprising.

UUP manifesto - education "the priority"

Illustration by Patrick Sanders

22 Apr 2016

The latest major party manifesto to be released ahead of the Assembly elections comes from the UUP. Scope takes a look.

Democracy and NI: the state we live in

A graphical representation of the deliberative system

22 Mar 2016

What is the state of democracy in Northern Ireland? Many would give a one-word answer. But to improve the world around us we need engagement, and to embrace of nuance, complexity and the views of others. No-one said it was easy.

NICVA publishes manifesto ahead of elections

Illustration by Patrick Sanders

19 Feb 2016

Election seasons is upon us and Scope will have a heavy focus on policy. This week NICVA published its own paper. We highlight their ideas.

Shroud education: sharing and the future

Les Allamby is the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commissioner

20 Aug 2015

Shared Education is the big new thing for helping society come together and improving schooling. But what are we supposed to expect?

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