IPPN

Published: 10 December 2020

This year due to Covid-19 restrictions IPPN has had to make a number of changes to the CPD calendar for 2021. Nothing replaces face-to-face interaction when it comes to building relationships and networking with peers. However, IPPN will endeavour to deliver a host a number of virtual events and is hopeful that face-to-face events will be possible later in the year.

The annual principals’ conference in 2021 will be a one-day virtual event and will be held on 7 May 2021.

IPPN believes that this is the right decision, given the ongoing risks relating to COVID-19 and the uncertainties regarding how quickly the vaccination programme can be fully implemented. The deputy principals’ conference was held virtually last month and over 500 school leaders attended the event, with very positive feedback about the content and the online platform. IPPN will build on the experience of running that event to ensure that the principals’ event is all it can be for members. Registration will open in early 2021 and IPPN looks forward to welcoming you to the event.

Published: 03 December 2020

Over the past few months, IPPN has responded to a number of requests from various sections of the Department of Education, the Joint Oireachtas Committee as well as proactive submissions to the ministers for education, finance, and public expenditure in relation to Budget 2021.

The submissions to the DES and the JOC are in relation to the following topics:

• Draft procedures re. Section 29 of the Education Act 1998 re. Education (Admission to Schools) Act 2018
• The use of reduced timetables in schools
• Ensuring that schools are open in a manner which is both safe and sustainable
• Department of Education Statement of Strategy 2021-23
• Inter-agency Good Practice Guidelines for Schools on Supporting Students with Autism
• Supporting the Safe Provision of Schooling

All submissions are available on the Advocacy/Submissions section of www.ippn.ie.

Consultation Process
Each submission has its own merits and is important in its own right. Each one also takes a considerable amount of effort, if it is to be of value to IPPN, to you our members and to the stakeholder that sought the feedback. IPPN has been very open with the Department and the JOC highlighting the fact that in many cases the very tight timescales compromise IPPN’s ability to engage with school leaders in seeking feedback from members on the proposals being put forward.

To address this, IPPN has sought a cohesive approach to such consultations with education stakeholders - the Department and all the education agencies - to request that future consultations be brought to the Primary Education Forum in the first instance. This would ensure that there was consideration given to adequate notification, timing, sequencing and prioritisation of all consultation processes across the sector. This would facilitate organisations such as IPPN in engaging with practitioners in schools, to gather and present feedback in a planned, coherent manner.

This would also ensure that the feedback and recommendations put forward are comprehensive, reflective of the situation across all types of school, as well as balanced and fair.

Published: 03 December 2020

As part of an increasing focus on Sustainable Leadership, IPPN is working with Dr Jolanta Burke and Dr Majella Dempsey of Maynooth University, to undertake deep research into primary school leaders’ health, both physical and emotional.

Click here to complete the survey, which will take 10-15 minutes. 

Why participate?
We will need as many school leaders as possible to complete the survey, to ensure that the data is reliable (representative of all school leaders) as well as credible and comprehensive.

The survey results will:

• allow you to compare your health practices to your peers’ results and see what changes you could make to enhance your wellbeing
• provide evidence-based data that IPPN will be able to use in meetings with education stakeholders to best advocate for the changes that need to be made in schools, in order to improve your own and your colleagues’ personal health
• help IPPN to structure the necessary support, webinars, conference and training events that best facilitate your work as a school leader
• help current and future leaders to shape and streamline their leadership role to ensure sustainable leadership for the future.

IPPN is aware of the pressures faced by school leaders on a daily basis. Your physical and emotional health is of paramount importance – to you personally, your family and friends, your colleagues, your pupils and the wider school community. It is also important to IPPN and we urge as many school leaders as possible to participate in the research.

What else is IPPN doing to make your role more sustainable?
There will be opportunities for school leaders to participate in IPPN research relating to the preparation for leadership, middle leadership, governance, administrative supports, and other aspects of sustainable leadership in the coming months. You will be kept informed of IPPN plans via E-scéal, Leadership+ and other communication channels.

Published: 03 December 2020

Research currently being conducted of relevance to school leaders:

• Teaching Council Droichead Survey - If you are a principal of a Droichead school and you have not yet received the link to the survey by email,  please contact the research team by emailing DEEPEN@mie.ie, and the link will be forwarded to you
• NCCA Draft Curriculum Consultation process
  
• Teachers' beliefs about multilingualism in the primary school classroom