E-Scéal 106: IPPN Backs Demands for Smaller Classes
- Published: 27 October 2005
IPPN BACKS
DEMAND FOR SMALLER CLASSES
Teaching Principals demand fair play
"Class size is not just about numbers in rooms. It is about every child in every class in every school in Ireland getting the individual attention and help that they need," said Tomás O Slatara, incoming president of IPPN.
"Any measure to tackle the problem of reducing class size in our schools has to start with agreed priorities"," said O Slatara. "IPPN is calling for these measures to be targeted first at the class of the teaching principal. There should be an immediate acceptance of the need to prioritise reduction in the class-teaching load for teaching principals which recognises the multi-faceted nature of this role. This is very much in line with the recommendation in the HayGroup Report (2003) 'Defining the Role of the Primary Principal' 'Teaching Principals should proactively organise their own teaching workload in a manner that enables them to fulfil their primary leadership accountabilities more effectively'
International evidence shows that class size in Ireland lags well behind other countries in relation to class size. There is growing pressure on government to make our classes smaller. "Behind these overall figures, however, lie many different experiences." This was the message of Tomás O Slatara, incoming President of the Irish Primary Principals' Network, to county representatives at their annual general meeting in Dublin today. When class size is talked about, many people picture a large urban school with single grade classes of up to 30 children. The learning experience of our children in this set-up, with the demands of a modern curriculum, is not tolerable for Ireland in the 21st century. "Reduction in class size is clearly a priority in schools with high levels of disadvantage and in infant classes; but most of all it is required in the class of the teaching principal. There is a big difference between a single-grade class of 30 children and a principal teaching 20 children in three class levels in an area of social disadvantage. Saying that a child is in a class of 20 may sound good to parents and the public in general but it does not tell the full story."
Over 70% of Irish primary schools are smaller schools with multi-grade classes. In over 2,000 schools throughout Ireland, the principal is teaching a full class, all day, every day. They juggle the competing demands of leading, managing and administering a modern school and teaching a full class. These classes are multi-grade classes with children of differing ages, class groupings and abilities. Often, there are children with special educational needs as well. A more complex picture emerges of the reality of what "class-size" means in Ireland when the teaching principal's perspective is highlighted. It is not simply a picture of up to 30 children working in one room trying to deal with a modern curriculum which more and more demands that the individual child's needs are met in an individual manner.
Tomás O Slatara is a teaching principal with over 23 years experience and takes up his role as President of IPPN for the coming year.
E-Scéal 105: Press Release - IPPN Demands Basic Security
- Published: 26 October 2005
Irish Primary Principals' Network
PRESS RELEASE
IPPN DEMANDS BASIC SAFETY FOR ONE-TEACHER SCHOOLS.
"We cannot afford to wait for a tragedy to happen in a one-teacher school. Immediate steps should be taken to appoint classroom assistants to these schools so that no teacher is left in sole charge of a group of children." Speaking on the issue of one-teacher schools, Tomás Ó Slatara, newly elected president of IPPN, insisted that this glaring health and safety issue has to be addressed immediately.
There are 20 one-teacher schools throughout Ireland. These are mostly in rural areas and play a vital and vibrant part in the communities they serve. "Twenty busy, vibrant centres of learning." according to Martina Williams of the newly formed principals support group for one-teacher schools.
Principals in these schools look after their pupils on their own and this raises a major question about the safety of the children and the unacceptable level of responsibility that is carried daily by the principal. "Perish the thought that an emergency should occur in any one of these schools! Consider the situation: a child has an accident in the playground; the teacher must attend to the needs of this child; the child may need to be brought urgently for medical treatment: who, in the meantime, is responsible for the other children? This is one of many possible scenarios that raise crucial legal and health and safety issues that need to be addressed immediately" says David Mc Veigh, Principal, Kilmactigue NS, Co Sligo.
It is estimated that the cost of implementing this measure would be not more than €400,000 per year for these schools. "A small price to pay for the health and safety of children and principals in these twenty schools" said Ó Slatara.
E-Scéal 104: IPPN National Committee AGM and Upcoming Special Offer on School Telephone Charges
- Published: 21 October 2005
National Committee AGM
This Sat Oct 22nd the IPPN National Committee will hold it's AGM at The Red Cow Moran Hotel, Dublin. Two reps have been elected from each of the 26 County Networks to form IPPN's National Committee for 2005/2006.
This committee is the consultative platform for IPPN Policy development. The AGM's business will include the election of officers to form IPPN's executive, consultation with each County Network on relevant issues and policy priorities as well as an input from Dr. Paul Ryan, teacher education section from the DES.
Congratulations to the new National committee and best wishes for their endeavors in the year ahead.
30% savings on your land line calls
IPPN has teamed up with Cable & Wireless and negotiated a special deal to help drive down your schools communications costs and allowing you and your staff to invest these savings back into the development of your school.
Coming soon
Sign up details will be issued to you in the near future
Switch today and see it pay!
Is mise le meas,
Seán Cottrell
E-Scéal 103: Autism Questionnaire
- Published: 07 October 2005
In recent years many primary schools have been requested to enroll children with autism or to set up a special class to provide for autistic children. However, the associated resources granted by the DES appear to vary considerably.
IPPN are inviting Principals that currently have children with autism enrolled in their schools to complete a questionnaire on the ranges of provisions available to the children and their schools.
This questionnaire will help provide the necessary data to inform other Principals of what is in existence and what resources their school should receive. Your help is needed in completing this questionnaire and will be much appreciated.
To access the questionnaire, please clink on the link below.
http://www.educationopinion.ie/AutismProvision.htm
Is mise le meas,
Seán Cottrell
E-Scéal 102: New SNA Contracts
- Published: 29 September 2005
Arising from changes in the 'SNA Contract', IPPN has examined the key issues and questions that have been asked by members in the last few days. The following seven points are intended to provide you with Professional Guidance to assist with implementing the new SNA Contracts.
Who should be offered contracts?
Contracts must be offered to all SNAs in the school. For existing SNAs on a child specific contract, the option of transferring to the revised contract is a once-off option that must be exercised on or before the 30th September 2005. Those SNAs who do not transfer to the new contract before 30th September will remain on a child specific contract and their future employment will be dependent on the assessed needs of the child specified in the contract. For those SNAs not wishing to sign the new contract it would be good practice for the Board of Management to have this in writing from the SNA to avoid any misunderstandings in the future. Those signing the new contract will have their approved service from the date they commenced duty in the school as an SNA in the school reckoned for seniority purposes.
Length of Service of SNAs
The seniority of all SNAs is determined by the date of commencement of service in the school and not by the amount of hours worked. All full-time and part-time SNAs must be treated equally when seniority is being determined.
Determining Seniority
The Board of Management determines the SNA's seniority ranking based on the date of commencement of service in the school. If two SNAs started on the same date, interview scores could be used to determine seniority. If the Board of Management cannot access these marks or has not previously assigned a seniority ranking, consideration could be given to reaching a decision by comparing qualifications. Ideally the SNAs involved should be agreeable to the process. The BOM must be careful not to make a decision on any discriminatory grounds (gender, marital status, family status, sexual orientation, religious belief, age, disability, race, colour, nationality, ethnicity or national origins, or membership of the travelling community). If service is broken, e.g. if an SNA worked previously in the school, resigned the position and was subsequently re-employed, it is the date of their most recent appointment that should be calculated for seniority purposes.
Probationary Period.
SNAs already probated in the school do not start a new probation if they sign the new contract. For newly appointed SNAs the probationary period is six months, but this may be extended for another period not exceeding twelve months.
Who retains Contracts?
The Board of Management retains the contract and the SNA retain a copy. They are not sent to the DES.
SNAs extra days
All SNAs may be asked to work the extra days on a pro-rata basis, ie
Full time full day - 12 extra full days
Part time - 12 extra part time days, or it's equivalent
Redundancy
The selection criteria for redundancy will be on a Last In First Out (LIFO) basis. The DES will make redundancy payments to any SNA who is deemed to have a redundancy entitlement. If an SNA has been made redundant in a school then they should contact the SNA payroll section of the DES.
Closing Date
It is important that all contracts are dated the 30th September 2005(or before). In circumstances where it is not possible to complete consultations and make decisions until later in October, contracts must be dated retrospectively to 30th September 2005.
Is sinne le meas
Pat Goff, SEN Liasion, IPPN Executive, Scoil Mhuire, Coolcotts, Wexford
