IPPN

E-Scéal 84: €3,000 Bursary for Pilot Project to Cluster Small Schools

Published: 13 May 2005

The purpose of this bursary competition is to actively encourage Teaching Principals to consider benefits of professional collaboration amongst smaller schools and their communities with reference to - Breacadh Ré Nua do Scoileanna Beaga - New Horizons for Smaller Schools. There are many benefits to school clustering including:

providing enhanced educational opportunities for children
sharing the administrative and curricular workload
breaking the professional isolation experienced by principals and staffs
benefiting from the professional growth opportunities
enjoying the expertise and advice of a greater number of colleagues
enjoying some of the benefits of larger schools

With specific regard to the educational benefits of the children and the professional opportunities for teachers, proposals are invited to outline a vision and timetabled plan for a cluster of Small Schools up to a maximum number of 5.

The bursary proposal form is accessible from the homepage of www.ippn.ie and should be returned not later than May 31st. An independent panel will adjudicate and identify the two best proposals each of which will be rewarded €3,000. This bursary amount can be used to assist with any aspect of the project.