Ongoing Advocacy
- Published: 01 December 2022
IPPN is continuing to ensure that a focus is maintained on issues that are affecting the practice of leadership in our primary schools. Specifically, the focus has been on the sustainability of school leadership and the impact of teacher and substitute shortages on continuity of provision to children.
In both cases, IPPN’s advocacy has been strengthened by the information that members have provided by way of responses to surveys on these issues. That data is now being quoted by journalists and commentators in different fora and is serving to highlight the need for action.
On the issue of teacher and substitute shortages, the data gleaned from IPPN’s member survey prompted RTE to seek further information on the number of supply panel posts that remain unfilled. The following link is to the article that references this data and includes quotes from interviews that were undertaken to contextualize the data.
IPPN will continue to advocate on these issues on behalf of school leaders and their school communities.
Professional Guidance – Wellbeing
- Published: 01 December 2022
At this particular time of year, worries and anxieties often leave people in a vulnerable state. It may be opportune to discuss with staff the supports and services available to them under the Employee Assistance Service provided by Spectrum Life. Posters with contact details are available to download for the staff room on the website.
The Employee Assistance Service (EAS) provides advice to employees on a range of issues including:
- Wellbeing
- Legal
- Financial
- Bereavement
- Conflict
- Mediation
The EAS also provides advice and support to managers and delivers interventions to help them deal with health and wellbeing issues in the workplace.
Where appropriate, short-term counselling is available to employees and their family members. A family member includes a spouse, civil partner or dependent, where the family member can be described as a person over the age of 18 and residing at the family home. In addition, online cognitive behavioural therapy is provided to employees.
A bespoke wellbeing portal and app are available offering a host of online services with access to live chats, videos, podcasts and blogs on topics around mental health, family life, exercise and nutrition. The platform is available via web, iOS app or Android app.
As part of the EAS, a Mental Health Promotion Manager is also available to develop and deliver evidence-based mental health and wellbeing initiatives. Spectrum Life also provides a series of webinars and presentations.
The EAS is accessible through the dedicated Free-phone Confidential Helpline and is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
- Freephone: 1800 411 057
- SMS & WhatsApp: text ‘Hi’ to 087 369 0010
- Follow this link for Information on services available
Recruitment - Online Application Portal
- Published: 23 November 2022
Minister for Education, Norma Foley TD officially announced EducationPosts.ie Online Application Portal at IPPN’s Annual Principals’ Conference on Friday, 18 November 2022.
The recruitment portal streamlines the online application process for the recruitment of teachers, Deputy Principals and Principals. The school’s personal EducationPosts.ie account will now be able to accept applications for vacancies online, as well as streamlining communication between applicants and the school throughout the recruitment process. Shortlisting meetings with the Selection Board and interviews with applicants can be scheduled using an integrated calendar. An audit trail history for each advert will be provided.
Final testing on the portal is currently taking place. The EducationPosts.ie team hope to have the portal live shortly
Professional Guidance: Distributing the Leadership – Recruitment & Appointment to API & APII Posts
- Published: 23 November 2022
“It is generally accepted that the quality of school leadership is second only to effective classroom teaching, in having a crucial impact on pupil learning” (Circular 70/2018). The In school Management Team (ISM) is the beating heart of the school. The standard of leadership it provides will define the quality of pupil care, teaching and learning and will ultimately determine the standard of educational outcomes for pupils. Members of this team will, consciously or unconsciously set the tone of the school and define the limits of achievement of pupils and staff. Ideally, all teaching staff would be familiar with the Quality Framework and its implications for their school before embarking on a process of identifying the leadership and management needs of the school. Even if an appointment is not imminent, it is important to take time and discuss with staff and Board members the rationale underpinning Circular 70/2018 in order to understand the leadership of the members of the ISM team.
The particular tasks assigned to members of the ISM Team will contribute towards the effective administration and management of the school but will also be integral to the leadership functions of the school. Leadership and Management will go hand-in-hand and will have but one common purpose – to provide the best possible facilities, organisation and environment to support and promote teaching and learning, which is the core function of the school.
The Resource Bundle entitled Distributing the Leadership: Recruiting and Appointing Assistant Principals, sets out the sequence of activity in terms of BoM preparation, staff preparation, identifying the leadership and management needs of the school, as well as the interview, selection and appointment process.
