Professional Guidance: Managing issues relating to teacher supply
- Published: 30 August 2023
Recruitment
Despite the fact that schools have been engaged in recruitment campaigns since May and throughout the summer months, in an effort to fill teaching and other posts, large numbers of schools continue to have unfilled teaching posts, particularly in specific areas of the country. While it has become common in recent years for schools to still be recruiting at this time of year, particularly for shorter-term contracts and supply panel posts, the number of unfilled permanent and fixed-term posts for mainstream class teachers is significantly higher than at this time last year.
It is important to ensure that the Board is kept informed of circumstances where unfilled teaching posts remain. It is also advisable that the Board keeps the Patron informed of ongoing difficulties with regard to the recruitment of a full complement of staff.
All recruitment must be undertaken in keeping with the provisions of 0044/2019, which results in a significant amount of administration. In Appendix 1 to the Sustainable leadership report published last year, IPPN identified 20 discrete tasks associated with the recruitment process, many of which fall to school leaders to complete.
In order to assist schools and school leaders to manage the process of recruitment and to reduce workloads, IPPN developed its Online Recruitment Portal through EducationPosts.ie. The portal was launched in June and has been used by a significant number of Primary and Post Primary schools to advertise various teacher vacancies.
The portal facilitates the acceptance of applications online using integrated Standard Application Forms or uploaded custom application forms. Advertisers opt in to use the additional features for each eligible advert. The ‘Selection Board’ tab allows the management of the schools’ selection board. The ‘Calendar’ tab enables scheduling of shortlisting meetings and interviews. The ‘History’ tab displays the interactions on the advert. Template response emails allow for streamlined communication with applicants.
The portal functions in accordance with the Department of Education Information Note TC 0005/2023. These developments aim to reduce the administration and paperwork associated with recruitment. For further information, see the Portal FAQ here.
Designation of staff
Where schools have not yet been able to recruit their full quota of teaching posts, priorities will need to be established with regard to how and where staff members are deployed. If the established priority is to ensure that a teacher is allocated to each mainstream class, then it may be the case that other teaching staff will have to be redesignated as mainstream class teachers rather than the role they were expecting to be in, at the beginning of the new school year. The unfilled posts would therefore be for other teaching roles and not mainstream class teacher posts.
- Open and clear communication with all staff with regard to the extent of the recruitment/teacher shortage challenges that the school is experiencing will highlight the need for the establishment of priorities and the potential redesignation of staff.
- Achieving consensus with regard to such designation, through a process of consultation with relevant staff members, is preferable and will protect positive working relationships.
- If such consensus cannot be achieved, it is important for all staff to bear in mind that Section 22 of the Education Act clearly articulates that teachers shall carry out those duties that are assigned to them by or at the direction of the Principal.
Communication with parents
In the same way that there is a clear benefit to open communication with the staff, similarly, transparent communication with parents on this issue also merits consideration.
A shortfall in the number of teachers will compromise the ability of the school to meet the individual needs of all pupils. The consequence of schools prioritising mainstream classes may be a reduced cohort of Special Education Teachers to work with children with additional needs.
All the education stakeholders acknowledge that the issue of teacher supply cannot be resolved locally by school leaders and Boards of Management. All schools can do in the short term is to manage the circumstances that present to the extent that teaching resources allow.
A communication to parents explaining the situation and detailing how the school is managing its teaching resources in the best interests of all children will better ensure clarity and understanding.
Principals’ Conference 2022 – IMPORTANT UPDATE
- Published: 28 April 2022
You may have seen commentary in the media about the potential for the Government to take over the Citywest Hotel & Convention Centre in the coming weeks to accommodate families arriving from Ukraine who have been displaced due to the ongoing war.
Updated: Thursday, May 5th
Summer Courses
- Published: 28 April 2015
IPPN are offering an online
Summer Course in July 2021. The course is EPV approved and qualify for 3 EPV days on successful completion.
Ciall Ceannaithe
Online Summer Course has been developed to provide a greater understanding of the innovative solutions to challenges facing Principals.
This course has been developed to provide a greater understanding of the innovative solutions to challenges facing new and aspiring school leaders. A highly practical step-by-step course built on the collective wisdom and experience of seasoned principals. This course is an EPV approved summer course and qualifies for 3 EPV days.
Click here for more Information
Following a review of its Summer 2021 CPD provision, a decision has been taken to focus attention on the newly reviewed and refreshed Ciall Ceannaithe Course, now available for all experienced, newly appointed and aspiring school leaders. The Effective School Leadership 5 Day event will now not go ahead for this year. Members who have registered and/or paid for this course, will be offered a full refund or the opportunity to transfer on to Ciall Ceannaithe if they wish to do so. We apologise for any inconvenience and look forward to making this CPD Course available once again in Summer 2022.
Ciall Ceannaithe - FAQs Course Structure
- Published: 19 June 2014
How is this course structured?
The course is delivered over 10 distinct modules. Each module is interactive and participatory and encourages participants to reflect upon the material presented and on their own experiences and interactions. The modules are presented in a logical sequence that guides participants in their learning and development.
Certain modules contain assignments that must be completed for 'Course Approval'. Also there is a public Discussion Forum to which participants are asked to contribute their views, opinions, experiences and ideas on particular topics directly related to each module and the overall theme of each course. Participants work at their own pace independently through their course
There is no specific time limit to completing the course except to note the course completion date is 31st July.
How many hours will it take to complete the course?
Each module will take i.e. 2 hours to complete, therefore it will take 20 hours to complete all 10 modules that make up the course. The time indicated includes time to study all course material either on-line or off-line, complete all course activities, and reflect on the material presented and to complete one posting to each of the ten modules.
About Ciall Ceannaithe
- Published: 27 May 2011
The daily business of running a primary school has changed enormously in recent years. It continues to change with new circulars and directives issued regularly. Keeping up with constant change can put a strain on other areas of day-to-day management. Ciall Ceannaithe offers you an opportunity this summer to review, evaluate and streamline some of your own professional practices as a school leader.
This online course offers convenient and practical professional development focused on the needs of school leaders. Ciall Ceannaithe is designed to support school leaders undertaking their leadership journey.
How to book your place
Click here to access the online booking form - please note forms and online payments will be processed and authorised during 9 to 5 Monday to Friday. For queries/help there is a dedicated email address - online@ippn.ie between 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday only
- Newly appointed principals
- Deputy Principals
- Aspiring school leaders /teachers
- Experienced principals who wish to reflect on their current practice
When and where?
Online from July 1st to July 31st. Course must be graded and approved by July 31st. The duration of the course is 20 hours online learning. Last date to register for the course is by 4.45pm, July 25th.
Price
A charge of €95 per person is applicable.
Fee includes access to the online platform, access to key resources, communicating and engaging with peers and course facilitators.
What skills will I learn?
Following the successful completion participants will be better equipped and more effective in dealing with the following areas of their new role:
- Sustainable Leadership
- Decision Making
- Staff Relations
- Staff Communications
- Curriculum Leadership: Effective Leading of Teaching and Learning in the School Community
- School Self Evaluation/LAOS
- Relationship management with children, parents, Boards of Management, DE
- Personal Development
- Professional Development
- Wellbeing
Course Aims
This course aims to assist school leaders achieve the following learning outcomes:
- Gain an overall perspective on their role
- Develop a sense of pacing and timing
- Distinguish tacit from factual knowledge
- Provide practical advice on key situations
- Benefit from the knowledge of experienced school leaders
- Approach their role with greater confidence and self-belief
- Increase self-awareness and work life balance.
- Have essential resources to hand in a user-friendly format.
- Become a skilled and effective leader of teaching and learning in the school community
- Lead the School Self Evaluation process competently and successfully through all its stages of school improvement
- Gain a deeper understanding and knowledge of the essential role of the school leader in leading teaching and learning
How do I to successfully complete the course?
In order to meet the requirements set by the DES, course participants must complete the following to secure Certificate of Achievement (which is required to secure EPV days):
- Complete and pass 5 assignments
- ALL discussion forums to be completed
- Course Reflective Learning Logs – will be provided to Drumcondra
- Declaration of Integrity
- Review of Sign Off of my CPD Record
Course Structure:
The course consists of five modules that guide you through your leadership role. During the course you will be asked to participate in moderated discussion forums with fellow participants. The course encourages participants to be interactive and to reflect both on the material presented and on their own professional experiences.
Along with the discussion forums, each participant must complete and pass all five assignments, in which participants are asked to contribute their views, opinions and experiences and to share good practice on issues related to each module and also to the overall theme of each course.
The course is primarily aimed at supporting and developing principals and aspiring school leaders' knowledge and leadership skills, their interpersonal awareness and professional attitudes. All participants who contribute in the course will be treated as independent adult learners.
Online facilitators are allocated to the course and will interact with and support participants on each module's discussion forums and assignments. While participants are offered guidance in course materials and are encouraged to participate in reflective exercises and discussion forums, each participant is wholly responsible for his/her own learning and interaction with the course.
Click Here for course FAQs
