IPPN

Published: 01 June 2005

Many principals are still unclear about the implications of the General Allocation Model for SEN staffing. Below, please find some further points of clarification.

Is sinne le meas,
Virginia O'Mahony, President, Scoil Chaitrí­ona, Renmore, Galway
Pat Goff, SEN Liaison, IPPN Executive - Scoil Mhuire, Coolcotts, Wexford

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Schedule C

Schedule C deals with schools due to have their staffing allocations reduced and who have individualized resource allocation in respect of children in the high incidence category. Only about 20% of schools received an allocation under Schedule C. If you did not receive this allocation then you no longer can count high incidence hours in the formation of a new full- time post or for part -time hours. The example given below illustrates the formula used by the DES in calculating Schedule C. School X has been allocated 0.4 of a post under the General Allocation Model, but also have 6 pupils with high incidence special needs allocated individual resource teaching hours.

6 pupils with high incidence special needs @ 2.5 hours = 15 hours
General Allocation of 0.4 = 10 hours
Schedule C (Transitional Hours) = 5 hours (0.2 of a post)

IPPN is seriously concerned that the existing workload of the Learning Support Teacher is not factored into this formula

Redeployment Panels

Principals, particularly in schools that are due to have a Special Needs post suppressed, are working extremely hard to form clusters to protect jobs. The General Allocation clustering arrangements notified to schools has, in many instances, made this job more onerous. These clusters were formed by the inspectorate last year based on different ratios and are almost unworkable in some cases. If you are one of the schools losing a special needs post it is important that you protect the panel rights of the teacher by notifying Primary Payments. Please attend to this immediately even if you are in the process of forming a full time post through clustering of hours. The name of the teacher can be withdrawn from the panel when the post is formed and sanctioned.

Who should go on the Panel?

In normal circumstances it is the most junior teacher in a school that is placed on the panel when a post is being suppressed. However in schools where there is a teacher with restricted recognition, it is this teacher rather than the most junior whose name should be placed on the Special Education Panel.

Please remember that where a permanent job in SEN existed in the school this can be retained as permanent, once you outline to the DES that there is a continuing need. Clustering your general allocation, low incidence hours and your transitional hours allocation as outlined under schedule C, may fill the post. If you are including pupils with low incidence in this cluster it will be necessary to send in their names, class level and hours to the DES, together with a written assurance that the DES will be informed when the child leaves the school. A teacher with restricted recognition can fill this post, if they are already working in your school. If you are creating a new SEN post then you should appoint a fully recognized and probated primary teacher.

Principal as Special Education Needs Teacher

IPPN has raised the issue of principals being allowed to fill the role of Special Education Needs Teacher within a school. This innovation would not in any way diminish the leadership role of the principal in the school. Indeed as many schools now use a SEN model of classroom intervention it would actually enhance the principal's role. Ideally a feature of this concept would be to enable the principal assume the post of part-time SEN teacher with the balance of the hours being used for administration. The official DES position does not permit such a role for Principals. However, at a meeting with DES officials recently, IPPN was advised that it will be given consideration.

Related E-ScÉals

E-Scéal 89 - Hours required for SEN posts
E-Scéal 88 - SEN: Clarification sought by IPPN on your behalf
E-Scéal 84 - SEN Allocations

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Published: 31 May 2005

We wrote to you in April welcoming the Education (Welfare) Act 2000 and its potential to improve school attendance. However, serious reservations were expressed concerning the increased administrative burden being borne by principals. This impact is not being matched by a corresponding improvement in attendance by those children recording high rates of absenteeism. This view is based on the belief that there is a lack of meaningful sanctions deployed in such cases.
In the context of the above reservations, IPPN's executive advised Principals & Deputies to continue to fulfil their statutory obligations while awaiting the outcome of a meeting between IPPN and the National Education Welfare Board.
On Thursday next, 2nd June, members of the executive and I will meet with the NEWB at their Headquarters in Green Street, Dublin 1. In order that we accurately & comprehensively represent the views and concerns of our members, I invite you to e-mail me with your priority issues, concerns, problems and suggestions relating to school attendance and NEWB's interactions with principals. Please send your contribution to Virginia before 5pm tomorrow, Wednesday.
An agenda of items for discussion will be formulated arising from the issues received. I look forward to hearing from you.
Is mise le meas,
Virginia O'Mahony
President

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Published: 30 May 2005

In order to facilitate the preparation bursary proposal forms at this busy time of year, it has been decided to extend the closing date for the receipt of completed forms by a further week. Proposals competing for one of two IPPN Bursaries, valued at €3,000 each, must be received by the IPPN Support Office not later than Thursday, June 9th at 5pm.
Full details of IPPN's Bursary scheme re School Clustering can be found in E-Scéal 84.

Is mise le meas,
Seán Cottrell
Director

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Published: 25 May 2005

This summer you will again have the opportunity to go on-line for your professional development facilitated by IPPN & Mary Immaculate College (MIC), Limerick. In collaboration with MIC, IPPN is delighted to offer David Ruddy's 'The Principal and the Law' on-line programme. This programme is designed to improve your knowledge and competency in respect of your schools legal obligations to children, parents, staff etc. David is one of Irelands leading experts in education law. His expertise derives from his specialist knowledge of education and other related law, coupled with his experience and knowledge as a serving principal teacher.

MIC, Limerick and IPPN have teamed up to create Ireland's first on-line professional development programme for principals. We are delighted to have the support of MIC through its President Dr. Peadar Cremin. Dr. Teresa O Doherty, Head of Education and Mr. David O Grady, Curriculum Development Unit.

This venture offers an innovative solution to professional development for busy school principals. Please examine programme details below for further information.

Is mise le meas,

Seán Cottrell
Director

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Programme Details:

Title:	The Principal and the Law
Facilitator:	Mr. David Ruddy BL
Cost:	€75
Applications:	Attach Cheque for €75 to application form below and send to IPPN, Glounthaune, Co Cork. Places are allocated on a first come - first served basis
Timescale:	July 4th - 8th - DES approved summer course - EPV days - 50 participants maximum Aug 22nd - 26th - DES approved summer course - EPV days -50 participants maximum 5th - 24th - independent course - no EPV days - unlimited number of Participants
EPV Days:	DES approved for three 'extra personal vacation' days in relation to July & August weeks only
Methodology:	registered participants will receive a CD with full programme content i.e. video, PowerPoint presentations, lecture notes, case studies etc. the programme consists of 10 two-hour modules which can be 'taken' at any time between the prescribed dates. each participant is given a user name and password giving him/her access to the programme website. using the CD the participant views, listens, reads and reflects upon the material presented in each module. after each module, the participant goes on-line to submit his/her feedback, reflections, questions or comments etc. each participant can take part in an e-mail based 'discussion' to add further value to their experience.
Aims:	school principals will broaden their understanding of the law in relation to pupils, parents, staff, Boards of Management and the DES. participants will examine, 'discuss' (on-line) and evaluate case law, legal documentation and legislation. participants will appreciate their legal obligations to parents, children, staff, BoMs and the DES. participants will have regard to school policies required by statute. legal resources and case law will be made available to staff and BoM.
Content:	Education Act 1998 Equal status Act 2000 Protection of Persons Reporting Child Abuse Act 1998 Data Protection Acts 1988-2003 Freedom of Information Act 1997 Education for Persons with Disabilities Bill 2003 Education Welfare Act 2000 Duty of Care/Negligence Case Law Admissions Policy Code of Discipline Anti-bulling Policy Child protection

.......... Please detach the form below and return with appropriate fee .......... Mobile:

School / Organisation Details Please tick relevant box	Principal		Deputy Principal
Roll No:	First Name:
School:	Last Name:
Address: Â
County:
Preferred e-mail: please print clearly
Please prioritise your choice of programmes '1' = first Choice, '2' = second choice, etc: July 4th - 8th Aug 22nd - 26th September 5th - 24th

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