Professional Guidance: Review of Teaching Staff Leave Policy
- Published: 14 October 2024
As we approach the end of the calendar year, it is timely that all school Boards of Management and school staff consult on a review or the development of a new Leave Policy in preparation for 2024/25 applications. This needs to be in place prior to applications from staff to the BoM in January. Conditions outlined in the policy at the time of application will apply; conditions cannot be applied retrospectively.
This highly important school policy is governed by the regulations and procedures set out in circular 0054/2019, which covers all types of leave available to teaching staff with approved contracts. Employers or Boards of Management are charged with implementing the said regulations and procedures and, along with teachers, must agree to the terms and conditions as stated within the circular.
Many types of leave are covered within the policy, including Sick Leave, Maternity Leave, Adoptive Leave, Paternity Leave, Parental Leave, Carer’s Leave, Career-Break, Job-Sharing and the Temporary Re-Assignment Scheme.
Each Board of Management must develop and maintain a policy on teacher leave. The welfare and education of the pupils must take precedence over all other considerations.
Due regard must be given by the school Board to the capacity of the school to meet its obligations to its pupils. Therefore, it may apply a limit to the number of teaching staff that may avail of leave, career-break and job-sharing, in particular at any one time. This must be considered in the context of the availability of qualified teachers as teacher supply continues to be an issue.
1mportant dates:
1. Applications by 1 February
2. Board written decision no later than 1 March
3. Applications can be withdrawn by 14 April.
A Board decision is final. A refusal decision must include the grounds for refusal.
Annual Census Returns 2024
- Published: 08 October 2024
As the date of 30 September has now passed, it is in order for schools to complete the Annual Census Return’s process, which is done via the Pupil Online Database (POD) system.
The number of pupils enrolled in the school on 30 September is a critical factor in the determination of grant payments and teacher allocations to schools. To ensure the accuracy of such enrolment figures, it is imperative that a record exists on POD for each pupil enrolled in the school.
The Board of Management of the school should satisfy itself as to the accuracy of the Annual Census Return. When it has done so, the signature sheet should be signed by both the school principal and the chairperson of the Board of Management (or manager(s)) and, in the case of community national schools, by both the school principal and the Chief Executive (or their delegated officer), prior to its submission to the DE. Note that delays in returning the signed form may result in delays of payments to schools.
If your school is on the Primary Online Database (POD), you do not need to complete the form below. The returns for 2024/2025 the will be made through POD.
IMPORTANT: Please note ONLY schools NOT on the Primary Online Database (POD) should complete and return the Census Form for Special Schools not on POD.
https://www.gov.ie/en/service/c7c45-census-national-school-annual-census-return/
Michelle Stowe - Restorative Practice Posters
- Published: 13 February 2024
Brian O'Doherty, IPPN Sustainable Leadership Coordinator
- 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.
IPPN Deputy CEO Appointment
- 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
Subcategories
On Your Behalf
Listed below are some of the meetings, events, projects, media/PR and other advocacy-related engagements that were progressed since the start of the school year.
