We implement the full Primary School Curriculum (1999), the curriculum can be viewed online at https://curriculumonline.ie/primary
UDL is an approach to education which involves multiple means of representation, engagement and ofaction and expression. We asked to be involved with this pilot programme because as a framework it sits very well with how we teach, knowing that every pupil is individual. At the fundation of UDL is the idea of promoting Growth Mindset in the pupils. This means that we foster the process of learning, encourage pupils to plan their attempts, review what worked and what did not and then go back to try to improve on their outcomes. We believe this is the best approach to bring about curious, independant and confident learners.
Within the framework of the curriculum, our small numbers allow us to explore areas such as gardening, cooking and other incidental projects, following the natural inquisitiveness of the children and the resources available to us within our school and wider community.
For many years now we have participated in Green schools and currently we fly our 6th flag, Global Citizenship, Litter and Waste. As well as the music and singing taught by the class teachers, we avail of a visiting music teacher, Mrs Lorna Maher, who explores the music curriculum along side the teachers and also teaches tin whistle amongst other things.
You can find our up-to-date calendar here
There is not at present a formal Parents Association. To date, parents have voted not to form an association but to continue to support the school as a community.
Important information from the National Parents Association is shared with parents through newsletters.
It has been our custom to hold an annual open parents meeting in the autumn term.
Reports and inspections can be found online at www.education.ie/en/find-a-school/School-Detail/?roll=15359G
Although the Pandemic of the Covid Virus was an extreemly challenging time for everyone, looking back now we can take lots of learning from that time. Being apart was so difficult for us . Our reaction at the time was to embrace and grow our technical skills so that by the second lockdown we were enabled to meet virtually.We realise more than ever before the importance of the guidance and the one to one of the teacher in the child's learning. Even more importantly we see that the children's interaction with their peers and the school staff provides a safe and supportive environment where children experience new things, try and perhaps fail or succeed but most importantly learn from their encounters.
Formidable and arduous as the time was I think we have recovered from that experience as better informed and more resourceful educators and it may have been one of the influences that steered us to take on our current UDL journey.
Read to your child as often as you can.
Talk about books / characters / plots.
Enrol your child in the local library.
Provide a good role model by reading yourself / other family members.
Keep audio tapes of familiar stories to play in the car.
Vary the type of books read – stories / poems / information.
Accept your child’s efforts with praise.
Concentrate on what he /she got right.
Make reading together enjoyable.
Take part in school based initiatives like ‘Shared Reading’.
Continue to read to your child everyday.
Read some of the books your child enjoys so you can discuss them with him/her.
Encourage your child to read to younger brothers/ sisters.
Ensure that your child knows that you value and enjoy reading yourself.
Make sure there is a wide variety of reading material in your home – newspapers, magazines, information, cookery books etc.
Enrol and encourage your child to visit the local library once a week…
Discuss favourite authors.
Encourage your child to read articles / headlines in newspapers.
Encourage your child to guess unknown words.
Take part in school based initiatives like ‘Shared Reading ’
Encourage your child to visit the local library as often as possible.
Recognise and praise your child’s efforts in reading.
Ensure your child has access to a wide range of reading material – newspapers, magazines, guides etc.
Take an interest in different children’s authors.
Discuss ideas and points of view proposed by newspaper articles etc.
Provide a well lit study / reading area.
Ensure that you value and enjoy reading yourself.
Allow your child to choose his /her own reading material.
Encourage your child to read for information – timetables / weather forecasts / menus
Encourage your child to try and guess unknown words based on the context of the passage and previous encounters w.