IPPN

Published: 02 February 2022

Listed below are some of the projects and advocacy-related engagements that were progressed since the previous report in the February issue of Leadership+. Almost all of this work was done virtually.

• IPPN National Council meeting took place on 11th March
• IPPN Board of Directors meetings took place on the19th January and 10th March. The next meeting will take place on the 27th April

Small Schools 2-year Action Research Project
Two meetings took place with the Department. These resulted in Minister Norma Foley TD launching a two-year action research project aimed at supporting small rural schools. The innovative project aims to encourage small schools to cluster together in local groups, enabling them to collaborate and identify common challenges and trial innovative solutions. This project is being developed by a working group of school management bodies and teachers’ unions with the Department of Education, as part of the programme of work of the Primary Education Forum (PEF). The PEF comprises all primary education partners, including parent representatives, working collaboratively with the Department of Education. See article on page 16 for more details.

Primary Education Forum – Communications Sub Committee Group
A new Communications Sub-Group has been established, the purpose of which is to:

• identify key concerns among stakeholders relating to communications
  
• identify possible solutions to improve the Department’s communications practices
  
• devise and agree a set of principles to underpin Department communications practices with stakeholders
  
• provide ideas and propose ideas the Department can adopt and/or trial to enhance communications and engagement with stakeholders
  
• support in the gathering of feedback from stakeholders to support the Department to continuously improve its communications with stakeholders.

The IPPN Nominee on the sub-committee is Supports & Services Manager, Jack Durkan. The committee met on 5th July, 19th July and 13th October

Partners were asked to identify and prioritise their top three communications issues for consideration. The top 3 Priorities submitted by IPPN to the initial meeting were:

• More time to consult with members when asked for input on topics
• Timing of DE info e.g. 8pm on Fridays
• Communications that issue to schools directly, being seen by the likes of IPPN at least simultaneously.
• Progress is being made on these and several other issues relating to DE communication, as follows:
  
  • Internal guidance on circulars and other communication to schools e.g. letters/ updates/ guidance – distribution, timing, where hosted, email address etc.
  • Proposed timings - the Department will endeavour to deliver communications to schools between the following hours: circulars/guidance letters to schools: Monday-Thursday between 8am and 5pm. Where necessary, Friday 8-1pm. Outside of these hours the Department will endeavour to restrict widespread communications to emergency matters.

Ombudsman for Children’s Office
The OCO is conducting research into the Forward Planning of School Places for Children with Special Educational Needs (SEN). In undertaking this work, they wish to gain a comprehensive understanding of the forward planning process from all stakeholders including ourselves.

Other Meetings/Events
IPPN also participated in meetings/events relating to the following:

• Various meetings and events relating to the Centre for School Leadership (CSL), including the Tri-nations Blether and the Comhrá events. IPPN works in partnership with the Department and the National Association of Principals and Deputy Principals to support and guide the work of CSL. Pairic Clerkin recorded an interview as part of the CSL ‘In Conversation’ Series
  
• Department of Education re.
  
  • Small schools clustering project – see below
    
  • Primary Education Forum re. Communications – see above
    
  • IPPN’s Budget 2022 submission
    
  • Availability of substitute teachers and the issue of banked hours
  • Digital Strategy Consultative Group Meeting
  • Briefing on New Education Bill 2022
  • Ukraine Education Stakeholder Briefing

• Teaching Council re.
  
  • School Placement Guidance consultation
  • a proposed Placement System Working Group
    
• Mary Immaculate College Summer School Panel Discussion
  
• Hub na nÓg Network of Practice
  
• the International Confederation of Principals (ICP) Council meeting
  
• PDST Civitas Parium Launch
  
• IPPN Budget 2022 Submission – meetings with Sinn Féin and Social Democrats education spokespersons Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire TD and Gary Gannon TD
  
• Mary Immaculate College Middle Leadership course presentation
  
• Teaching Council’s Féilte conference - this year’s festival theme was Transforming Teaching in a Sustainable World. IPPN President Brian attended as a panellist.
  
• INTO Principals and Deputy Principals Conference.