IPPN

Published: 08 January 2024

Brian qualified as a primary school teacher in 1988. He began his teaching career in St. Patrick’s Loreto P.S. and served there as a mainstream class teacher for 13 years. He completed his M. Ed during this time, specialising in the areas of Education Management & Administration and Educational Psychology. He was appointed to his first principalship in 2001 in Loreto College Junior School where he worked for 5 years. He returned to St. Patrick’s Loreto PS in 2006 as principal. Brian has been a member of IPPN since 2001 and is a former member of the National Council. He was elected to the Board of Directors in 2016 and served as IPPN Treasurer from 2017 to 2019. He was elected as IPPN Deputy President/President-elect in June 2019 and served as President from September 2021 to August 2023. In January 2024, Brian was appointed to the role of Deputy CEO following an external recruitment process. Brian will work closely with the CEO, the President and the senior management team on IPPN's Advocacy & Communications and Supports & Services outputs in line with IPPN's strategic plan.

Published: 21 December 2023

I am delighted to confirm that the position of Deputy CEO has been filled through an external recruitment process and Brian O'Doherty has been appointed to the role.

Brian will work closely with the CEO, the President and the senior management team on IPPN's Advocacy & Communications and Supports & Services outputs in line with IPPN's strategic plan.

Wishing Brian every success.

Catriona O'Reilly

Chair, IPPN Board of Directors

Published: 11 September 2023

The importance of school leadership as an influence on, and key determinant of pupil learning, has been clearly established. The equation is simple – effective school leadership leads to school effectiveness, which in turn leads to better outcomes for children. It is, therefore, a priority that school leaders should be empowered and supported to deliver that effective leadership in our schools, thereby maintaining their focus on what is most closely aligned with their core purpose – leading teaching and learning.

IPPN aspires to empower school leaders to provide the most effective leadership of their school communities. We do so through the provision of supports and services that enable that empowerment, and through our advocacy for the enhancement of leadership capacity, effectiveness and sustainability. This work is shaped directly by our engagement with our members to ensure that it reflects their needs and perspectives. We also advocate with our fellow Education Partners in the best interests of children, schools and school leaders.

The way in which we work to achieve our stated objectives is underpinned by our values of respect, trust and professionalism, which define us as an organisation.

Published: 10 May 2023

Diarmuid graduated from Mary Immaculate College of Education in 1988. Having initially taught in Scoil Oilibhéir, Ballyvolane Cork, he moved to SN Cnoc na Manach, Minane Bridge in 1990 and was Teaching Principal there from 1998 to 2011. Since 2011, Diarmuid has been Administrative Principal at Scoil Mhuire na nGrást, Belgooly.

With an interest in Sustainable Leadership, Diarmuid believes he has been fortunate to have had the opportunity to engage with many related programmes over the years - Tutor on the INTO Multi-Class Teacher Summer Programme in 2006 & 2007 and an associate on the PDST School Leadership team since 2007 where he has facilitated on the Spreagadh, Tánaiste, Misneach, Forbairt & Comhar programmes. At a local level, organising shared CPD opportunities for neighbouring schools, being an active member of the Kinsale INTO branch, a founding member and coordinator of a local IPPN Leadership Support Group from 2013 until recently and IPPN National Council Representative (Cork) since 2020 are all highly valued sources of professional networking and support.

Diarmuid credits an active engagement with CPD over the years - Special Education (DES/Cope Foundation), M.Ed (UCC), Coaching Course (TCD/PDST) and Diploma in Education Law (Law Society of Ireland) with providing growth opportunities for school leadership.

Recognising the importance of CPD for school leaders, along with fellow members of the IPPN Cork Committee, Diarmuid, as Chair, organised online CPD opportunities, with a focus on wellbeing, during the challenging pandemic period. More recently, an in-person IPPN CPD gathering in Cork provided timely sharing of insights and practices, by principals and deputy principals, on the School Summer Programme and the Free Schoolbook Scheme. Given the pivotal importance of peer support for school leaders, in association with the IPPN Support Office and the local Cork Education Support Centre & West Cork Education Centre, Diarmuid continues to support efforts to ensure all school leaders have access to a local Leadership Support Group.

Working and learning together with fellow school leaders has been central to Diarmuid’s school leadership journey, thus endeavouring to ensure a sustainable and worthwhile path. These are key considerations in his role as a member of the Board of Directors.