IPPN

E-sceal 535 - Research: An evaluation of the patronage and management of Irish primary schools

Published: 08 November 2018

A former principal and Mayo native, Rita McHugh is undertaking PhD research with the University of Lincoln. Principals of primary schools of all demographics, including acting principals, are invited to voice their opinions on the patronage and management of Irish primary schools. This timely piece of research also facilitates a comprehensive evaluation, by primary principals, of their current work environment and their perceptions on its effect on their holistic wellbeing.

Please click on the link to participate in the study

The study will identify what works well in the current Church/State management model of Catholic primary schools, while also highlighting areas for improvement from the perspective of the principal. This study will update former ESRI and Hay Report findings along with bringing new information to light on principal satisfaction levels with the Church / State management model of Irish primary schools. It will be referred to as the Lincoln Study of Irish Primary Principals and should yield some interesting and useful findings.

About the researcher
A Mayo native, Rita is currently working as a Research Supervisor and Assessor on the Master’s Degree Programme at Hibernia College of Education, Dublin. She also sits on the Board of Examiners at Hibernia College. She holds two Master’s degrees – a Master in Education with Distinction from the University of Ulster and a Master of Arts in Education with Distinction from the University of Lincoln. She also holds a Bachelor of Education (Honours) from St. Patrick’s College of Education, Drumcondra, Dublin along with Diplomas in Inclusive and Special Education, Music and Religious Education. Rita previously held two leadership positions over a combined period of almost 20 years before moving to Higher Education. Rita is currently completing a PhD in Education at the University of Lincoln, England.

If you have any queries, please contact Rita by email to ritamchugh@gmail.com or by phone to 086 7759979.

E-sceal 534 - Children’s Wellbeing Research – First Study in Ireland

Published: 25 October 2018

Louise Fleming, an MSC Research Student, Dept of Sport, Leisure and Childhood Studies, CIT, is conducting research as part of a greater international study on children’s wellbeing. A sample of 3000 primary school children is required to be included in the international dataset.

The proposed study forms the Irish section of the Children’s Worlds Project which is an international study of children’s well-being. The current phase of this research includes 40 countries. This will be Ireland’s first year participating in the project.

A questionnaire will be used for data collection in school children of different ages, (8, 10 and 12 year olds) totalling at least 1000 children in each age group. The structure of the questionnaires is age appropriate.

If you are interested in your school becoming involved in the research, please contact Louise Fleming by email (louise.fleming@mycit.ie) or mobile (083 1780679).

E-sceal 534 - Leadership & Management – Collaborative Clusters

Published: 25 October 2018

CSL Schools are invited to participate in a pilot scheme to assist schools to further develop their leadership capacity by harnessing and optimising internal leadership and management capacity at all levels. This is an initiative of the Department of Education and Skills in association with CSL and the Education Centres.

How to maximise Leadership Capacity in your School:

Clusters of schools to work together on innovative projects to enhance their leadership potential
Forty-two clusters nationwide in the initial phase
Each cluster containing between a minimum of three and a maximum of six schools
Information sessions in every Education Centre in November
Support from Third Level Institutions and from the Business World
Substitute Cover for Cluster Coordinators
Expect a communication from your Education Centre directly after midterm

The scheme will comprise a national programme of projects operating at a local level. Each project will explore approaches to school leadership and management that involves and empowers all members of the senior and middle leadership teams in the participating schools.
Schools will be invited to engage in innovative clusters with a shared vision for school improvement.

For the purposes of this proposal, a cluster is defined as a collection of between three and six schools who collaborate in the design, delivery, evaluation and dissemination of the outcomes of these innovative projects.

The pilot, including the application stage, will take place from October 2018 with a view to implementation of the projects in January 2019. The pilot phase will run until June 2020.

Clusters will be hosted by Education Centres, who will establish panels of personnel from third level and business and industry to provide advice and to support schools. Access to DES support services and to the Centre for School Leadership(CSL) will also be available to school clusters.
Each cluster will appoint a Cluster Coordinator who will be the single point of contact for the Education Centre
The Cluster Coordinator will be responsible for managing the day to day operation of the project and will receive substitution cover of one day per month to achieve this.

Click here for Further information