Noelle Buick, Chief Inspector of the Education and Training Inspectorate Announces Retirement

Date published: 22 January 2020

After almost nine years as Chief Inspector of the Education and Training Inspectorate (ETI) Noelle Buick has announced her retirement.

Noelle Buick Chief Inspector with two primary school pupils.

While her decision to retire at the end of March was made some time ago, she is announcing it now so that the process for a new appointment to the role can be completed. Mrs Buick said ‘It has been a great privilege to lead the ETI since 2011. Inspection is a powerful lever for raising standards and tackling underachievement. I look forward to a resolution of the teachers’ dispute over pay, which has included non-cooperation with ETI, so that this important work can continue. I would like to thank my colleagues in ETI who have supported me in my role through their commitment to ensuring children get a good education and the life chances they deserve to lead fulfilled lives’.

Derek Baker, Permanent Secretary at the Department of Education, said ’I would like to thank Noelle for her leadership of the ETI over the past nine years. Under Noelle’s stewardship significant positive improvements have been made to the inspection process including greater involvement of the schools and organisations being inspected in the process and a more proportionate approach to inspection. She has worked with commitment and integrity for the benefit of the learners in Northern Ireland and I wish her every success for the future.’

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