Retention of a Pupil in the same grade in Primary Schools
- Published: 23 May 2018
A topical issue at this time of year is the retention of pupils in the same grade. Circular 32/2003 refers to the retention of pupils in the same class. The DES does not encourage this generally, but may to be justified on the basis of sound educational reasons which would benefit the needs of the child. For example: A child has not achieved sufficient levels of literacy or numeracy, missed a significant level of schooling, had emotional/behavioural issues that impeded their learning during the course of the year.
Under the Department’s policy, children should only be allowed to repeat a year for educational reasons and in exceptional circumstances. An additional grade level should not operate through the retention of all or a substantial number of pupils at a grade level. The child’s age must also be taken into account – a school should always endeavour to place a child in an age appropriate setting.
A letter needs to be submitted to the school by parents requesting it. In such exceptional circumstances a Principal teacher, following consultation with the learning support teacher/resource teacher and class teacher and parent(s), may concludes that a pupil would benefit educationally by repeating a grade level.
A record outlining the educational basis for the decision to retain a child should be kept for any pupil so retained. In addition, there should be a clear programme outlined for such a pupil that records precisely what new approach will be used for her/him and what its expected benefit will be. These records should be retained within the school and should be brought to the Inspector’s attention by the Principal when s/he visits the school. No pupil should repeat a grade more than once in a primary school.
If the decision to retain the child is made, an IPLP should be drawn up indicating what interventions will be put in place for the child to maximise their learning experience. In instances where a school has approved the retention of a pupil in 6th class, no capitation grant will be paid by the DES for this pupil in the following school academic year.
Issues to Consider:
- Decision to be based on the developmental/learning needs of the child only – not the school; the parents; enrolment; their age (“s/he’s very young”) etc
- Consider the impact of the decision to repeat on the Self-esteem of the child – friendships etc. Children frequently see “repeating” as punishment for “not doing well”, even when they themselves feel they’ve done their best
- Children with an assessed learning need (SEN), may be best supported by “moving on” with appropriate supports in place
- Are both parents (where applicable) in agreement about the issue?
- Children have a right (as far as possible) to be placed in class groupings with peers of a similar age and stage of development
8 Rules of Data Protection
- Published: 19 April 2018
This is the first in our series of weekly action plans/information updates to help schools transition from the existing data protection framework under the EU Data Protection Directive to GDPR which will come into force on Friday 25 May 2018.
This week’s action plan focuses on 8 Rules of Data Protection:
- Obtain and process information fairly
- Keep it only for one or more specified, explicit and lawful purposes
- Use and disclose it only in ways compatible with these purposes
- Keep it safe and secure
- Keep it accurate, complete and up-to-date
- Ensure that it is adequate, relevant and not excessive
- Retain it for no longer than is necessary for the purpose or purposes
- Give a copy of his/her personal data to the individual on request.
IPPN is in the final stages of producing a resource bundle on this topic. Availability of this resource will be communicated in our weekly É-scéal and on the homepage of www.ippn.ie.
EducationPosts.ie & Redeployment Panel
- Published: 22 March 2018
How to Advertise on EducationPosts.ie
- Select ‘Main Redeployment Panel’ from the list of options provided in the ‘Status of Vacancy’ drop-down menu
- Teachers are given a period of 5 calendar days to express an interest in the post.
- Teachers can only respond to expressions of interest from within their own relevant panel area
- A school is required to select a teacher from the cohort of teachers who expressed interest in the post. However, the school has the option of supplementing the list of teachers who express an interest in the post with other teacher(s), remaining on the Main Panel (who had not responded with an expression of interest in the post). It is at the discretion of the Board of Management to hold interviews
- If no teachers on the relevant Main Panel express an interest in the post, the school is required to extend the period of time for seeking expressions of interest, by an additional 2 calendar days. If at that stage there are still no teachers who have expressed interest in the post, then the school should inform the Panel Operator.
- All teachers on the main panel must be redeployed before permission is given to fill remaining permanent vacancies in any other manner or to fill fixed term teaching vacancies.
- Click here for text to be used in any advert to be placed by a school with a permanent teaching vacancy on EducationPosts.ie (Section 6.3)
Retrospective Vetting - Where are we at?
- Published: 15 March 2018
Retrospective Vetting Process Breakdown
Figures from 12 March 2018 show that of the total 29,481 teachers who were issued with notices to apply for retrospective vetting:
- 28,466 have fully complied with the vetting requirement.
- 330 have not yet fully complied despite repeated contact
- 179 teachers have requested voluntary removal and will be removed on the week starting 12 March
- 41 teachers are engaging with the Evidence of Character Submissions process or the Review of Decision process
- 465 retirees/no longer teaching members have been removed voluntarily from the register.
Retrospective Vetting Next Steps
- The 28 day final notice letters will issue this week to those teachers who have not complied with the retrospective vetting request
- The Paymasters (DES and ETBs) will be informed allowing them to follow up with those who may be in their employment
- Teachers who fail to comply within the timeframe will be removed from the register which we anticipate to be around mid-April
