IPPN

E-scéal 4: Tacaíocht 3

Published: 10 January 2003

Key Issues in recruiting & retaining Principals - INTO

See attached document "Tacaíocht 3"

Mentors Required for Newly Appointed Principals

Almost 200 new principals have been appointed to primary schools this year. Requests to IPPN for mentoring support from newly-appointed principals have grown considerably reflecting the huge challenge facing teachers when appointed to school leadership for the first time. In order to meet this increased demand for mentoring services, IPPN has initiated a mentoring scheme in each of our 26 county networks. IPPN wishes to hear from Principals in each county who are willing to help mentor a first-time Principal.

The Department of Education and Science initiated the Leadership Development for Schools programme (LDS) in 2002 to provide comprehensive induction, training and support for school leaders at primary and post-primary level. Part of LDS's function will involve the establishment of a mentoring programme for school principals. At primary level, IPPN has been working closely with LDS - sharing experience of our existing mentoring programme - with a view to providing a comprehensive and effective mentoring service nationally which will meet the professional needs of each newly appointed principal.

Principal teachers with 3 or more year's experience, when appointed as mentors, will be offered training and guidance by LDS to help them fulfil their role. Through our structure of 26 county networks, a mentoring organiser will then match each mentor with a newly appointed principal.

If you are interested in becoming a mentor, please contact the IPPN office at: 1890 21 22 23, e-mail: info@ippn.ie, or write to: Mentoring Service, IPPN, Glounthaune, Co. Cork.