Department of Education Fortnightly Update

The Department of Education’s new SNA Workforce Development unit is reviewing learning and development for SNAs. A series of focus groups forms phase 1 of this review. To register, See gov.ie/SNAworkforce. Places are limited and will be allocated on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Inspectorate letter to Schools

The Inspectorate has issued a letter to all schools about improvement in the learning experiences and learning outcomes of all pupil through the advice and support they give to teachers and school leaders. More information can be found here.

Important dates

BLAST: Bringing Live Arts to Students and Teachers, Arts in Education residency initiative.

The aim of this initiative is to give students in schools all over the country the opportunity to work with a professional artist on unique projects to be planned and developed between the artist, the teacher and the school under the co-ordination of the Education Support Centres Ireland ESCI network of 21 full-time education centres. This initiative supports children and young people for the future, where skills like the ability to connect and collaborate with others, engage in creative and critical thinking and practice inclusivity at every level will be paramount to peace, stability, sustainable economic growth and equality.

Guidelines and application form are available from gov.ie/Blast The application process is open and will close on 19 May 2023.

Creative Clusters

Creative Clusters is a national programme of local projects and the 21 full-time education support centres across Ireland are lead partners in the initiative. They will have a key role in identifying and supporting a Creative Cluster for their local area. Individual schools, existing networks of schools and potential clusters of schools must apply to their local full-time education support centre outlining their rationale for taking part in Creative Clusters initiative by 5pm on Friday, 12 May 2023. Guidelines and application form can be found here

Say Yes to Languages

The module is aimed at 3rd to 6th class and the school can select the language of choice depending on its demographic and school context. The length of the module in 2023/24 is 8 weeks. The grant to schools participating has been increased to €400 per classroom up to a maximum of €1,600.The closing date for receipt of completed application forms is 5pm on Friday 12th May 2023. More Information can be found here

View all press releases here

Follow the Department on Twitter at @Education_Ire; on LinkedIn at https://ie.linkedin.com/company/department-of-education-rep.-of-ireland and on our website https://www.gov.ie/en/organisation/department-of-education/

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