IPPN

Published: 03 September 2004

SEN Crisis Continues

Most Principals have found that reopening their schools this September has been extremely difficult and stressful due to the ongoing lack of clarity and the absence of coherent, consistent information. Correspondence to Principals and Chairpersons at the end of June promised that key information would be sent to schools before reopening in September. Not only has this not happened but it appears that Principals who gave up much of their summer holiday dealing with this matter have been totally frustrated at the unavailability of DES officials and in other cases, being given inconsistent information over the telephone.

I wrote to Minister Dempsey and several key officials in the DES in early July seeking clarification and responses to 28 issues emerging from SEN documentation sent to schools. The issues in question were raised by Principals throughout the country and were reasonable and fair questions to ask. On September 1st - two months later, I received a response form the Minister acknowledging the letter and stating that he was asking his officials to contact IPPN to address the issues in question! Unfortunately no further progress has been made in clarifying the current state of confusion in which many Principals, Teachers, SNAs and parents find themselves in. In case you did not get an opportunity to see our letter to the DES, the link below facilitates you to download it from the home page of our website www.ippn.ie.

Meanwhile, our office has been inundated with telephone calls and emails seeking answers to questions re what is happening about the new SEN arrangements and their impact on staffing etc. Unfortunately IPPN is not in a position to answer these questions. As soon as we have information of value to Principals, we will send it immediately by e-scéal with a text message reminder.

Guidance for Principals re SEN Best Practice

In order to support principals through this current period of transition from Resource & Learning Support teaching to Special Education teaching, the IPPN executive has decided to establish an Advisory Group of Principals to research and outline some proposed examples of good practice appropriate to different size schools. Can you help in either of the following ways?

1. Participation in SEN Advisory Group - If you have appropriate experience in managing the rapidly changing SEN situation in your school and have been innovative with your staff in responding to this challenge, I would be delighted to hear from you by e-mail (info@ippn.ie 'SEN' in subject line) or by telephone (1890 21 22 23)
2. Assistance for the SEN Advisory Group - If you cannot participate directly perhaps you might help by describing and sharing your school's approach to organising & managing SEN, outlining ways your school has utilised staff (including shared) and resources. Please contribute you ideas by e-mail as above.
   Once the collective wisdom on managing SEN has been brought together from a representative group of Principals, IPPN will circulate this Professional Guidance to all members. This should at least offer you as an individual Principal the confidence of knowing that your practice is informed by and in line with good practice as advised by your professional association.

Is mise le meas,

Seán Cottrell,
Director,
Irish Primary Principals' Network.