The NCCA established a Schools Forum consisting of a network of primary schools, special schools, post-primary schools and preschools from across the country. This has now been extended to 60 schools and together, these represent the rich diversity of school contexts in Ireland. In the Forum, teachers, school leaders and preschool practitioners come together to guide and help shape the primary curriculum review and redevelopment. In the words of one teacher nominee, the Schools Forum provides a space to ponder big questions such as what we value in education, what its purpose is, how and what children should be taught, what’s important in our current context and what the future might demand.
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The Schools Forum is providing the NCCA with opportunities to:
- Work with teachers/practitioners and schools/preschools as central agents in curriculum development
- Augment the research, curriculum seminars, leading out seminars and internal NCCA processes at the 'practice' level
- Learn from schools/preschools as sites of curriculum development
- Receive constructive feedback 'soundings' on research
- Generate commentary and feedback on the primary curriculum review and redevelopment.
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The Schools Forum is providing schools / preschools with opportunities to:
- Learn about the processes involved in the primary curriculum review and redevelopment
- Work collaboratively and share their ideas, experiences and suggestions for future directions for a redeveloped primary curriculum
- Ground research in practice by offering feedback on The Draft Primary Curriculum Framework
- Share the work of the Forum at a local level, for example, through Boards of Management, Parents' Associations, and other local networks.
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Membership of the Schools Forum includes the following:
Pre-schools
Creative Kids, Walkinstown, Co. DublinKidz@Play, Maynooth, Co. KildareCreative Days Preschool, Kinsealy, Co. DublinCarraig Briste & Killegney Early Years, Enniscorthy, Co. WexfordPrimary schools
Bunscoil Rís Senior, New Ross, Co. WexfordBallyconnell NS, Tullow, Co. CarlowBallymore NS, Letterkenny, Co. DonegalCentral Model Infants School, Marlborough Street, Co. DublinCourt NS, Gorey, Co. WexfordCreeslough NS, Creeslough, Co. DonegalDalkey School Project NS, Glenageary, Co. DublinEglish NS, Ahascragh, Co. GalwayEmper NS, Ballynacargy, Co. WestmeathHoly Rosary School, Wicklow Town, Co. WicklowInch NS, Ennis, Co ClareLe Chéile NS, Roxboro Rd., Co. LimerickLucan CNS Lucan, Co. DublinMercy Convent Primary School, Naas, Co. KildareMurhur NS, Listowel, Co. KerryNewtown Junior School Lower Newtown Rd., Co. WaterfordPowerstown Educate Together NS, Powerstown, Co. DublinRanelagh Multi-Denominational School, Ranelagh, Co. DublinRathfarnham Parish NS, Rathfarnham, Co. DublinScoil Bhríde JNS, Donaghmede, DublinScoil Bhride, Crosshaven Crosshaven, Co. CorkScoil Chlann Naofa, Ballinamore, Co. LeitrimScoil Mhuire agus Eoin, NS Mayfield, Co. CorkScoil Mhuire Senior School, Blakestown, Co. DublinScoil Mhuire, Kells, Co. MeathScoil Naomh Iósaf, Baltinglass, Co. WicklowSt Etchen’s NS, Kinnegad, Co. WestmeathSt Maries of the Isle, NS Bishop Street, Co. CorkSt Mary’s Parish Primary School, Drogheda, Co. LouthSt Mary’s Primary School, Mullingar, Co. WestmeathSt Mary's Central NS, Thurles, Co. TipperarySt Mary's NS, Templemore, Co. TipperarySt Mary's NS, Bagnalstown, Co. CarlowSt. Brigid’s GNS, Glasnevin, Co. DublinSt. Clare’s Primary School, Cock Hill, Co CavanSt. Coman’s Wood NS, Roscommon Town, Co. RoscommonSt. Joseph’s NS, Tipperary Town, Co. TipperaryUrsuline Primary School, Ballytruckle, Co. WaterfordWandesford NS, Castlecomer, Co. KilkennyWhitechurch NS, Rathfarnham, Co. DublinIrish Medium Schools
Scoil Fhursa, Lóiste na Nile, Co. GaillimhGaelscoil Uí Ríordáin, Baile an Chollaigh, Co. CorcaighScoil Uí Ghramhnaigh, Áth Buí Co. na MíGaelscoil Ruairí, Maigh Nuad, Co. Cill DaraGaelscoil Mhachan, Carraig Dubh, Co. CorcaighSpecial Schools
St Cecilia's Special School, Cregg, Co. SligoHoly Family Special School, Cootehill, Co. CavanSt Catherine's Special School, Greystones, Co. WicklowSt Michael's Special School, Castlerea, Co. RoscommonSt. Anthony's Special School, Castlebar, Co. MayoPost - Primary Schools
Malahide Community School, Malahide, Co. DublinEnfield Community College, Enfield, Co. MeathDonamase College, Portlaoise, Co. LaoisThomond Community College, Woodview Park, Co. Limerick -
Short descriptions of meetings that have taken place, can be accessed below:
Schools Forum Meeting - Online using the Zoom Platform November 18th 2021
- Welcome to the new schools and preschools joining the forum
- Overview of the work of NCCA advising the Minister for Education on curriculum and assessment for early childhood education, primary and post-primary schools
- Overview of the work of the Schools Forum since its establishment in May 2018 in shaping the proposals in the Draft Primary Curriculum Framework
- Overview of the process for reviewing and redeveloping the Primary Curriculum
Schools Forum Meeting - Online using the Zoom Platform December 08th 2021
- Overview of the proposals in the Draft Primary Curriculum Framework
- Discussion on the key messages in the Draft Primary Curriculum Framework
- Overview of the consultation format
- Feedback from forum nominees on the consultation format
Schools Forum Meeting - Online using the Zoom Platform January 17th 2022
- Input from Dr Joan Kiely on the Child Voice Strand of the Consultation on the Draft Primary Curriculum Framework being undertaken by Marino Institute of Education
- Question and Answer Session on the Child Voice Consultation
- Description of the online consultation workshop materials for use by the forum schools and preschools in providing feedback on the proposals in the Draft Primary Curriculum Framework
- Introduction to members of the Advisory Panel (Primary) – Prof James Spillane, Northwestern University; Prof Louise Hayward, Glasgow University; Prof Dominic Wyse, University College London; Dr Thomas Walsh, Maynooth University
- Presentations by the Panel members followed discussions on: - Aligning Policy, Practice and Research - The links between Curriculum, Pedagogy and Assessment - The current level of learner agency in primary schools - Current practices in schools enabling children to be reflective learners and critical thinkers
Schools Forum Meeting - Face-to-face, March 02nd 2022
- Presentation on the use of Microsoft Teams as a tool for regular communication with the forum nominees
- Presentations by members of the Advisory Panel followed by round table discussions and feedback from the forum nominees on: - Child Agency - Curriculum, Pedagogy and Assessment - Leadership - Conducive conditions to support a redeveloped primary curriculum
- A panel discussion with an opportunity for forum nominees to pose questions to the Advisory Panel on issues raised earlier in the meeting.
Schools Forum Meeting - Face-to-face, Dublin, May 19th 2022
- Feedback from forum nominees on the consultation experience in their setting
- Discussion on the feedback on the proposals in the Draft Primary Curriculum Framework
- Presentation on the work of the Advisory Panel (Primary) and forum nominees to date followed by a discussion on the enactment of the curriculum at the school level
- Presentation followed by a discussion on the Guidance on Preparation for Teaching and Learning.
Schools Forum Meeting - Face-to-face, October 06th 2022
- Presentation and round table discussions on the main themes emerging from the consultation feedback on the Draft Primary Curriculum Framework
- Round table discussions and feedback provided from forum nominees in relation to specific text and images from the Draft Primary Curriculum Framework
- Presentation by the Centre for School Leadership (CSL) and round table discussions on individual school leadership, context, culture, values and beliefs.
- Presentation and round table discussions on Teacher Agency and on examples of and conducive conditions for teacher agency in the forum schools’ own contexts.
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Information shared about and invitation extended to the upcoming Leading Out seminar on October 25th 2022
Schools Forum Meeting - Face-to-face, December 1st, 2022
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Review of feedback from the March 22nd 2022 meeting on: Teacher Agency; Child Agency; Professional Learning; Conducive Conditions for Supporting Change
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Presentations by members of the Advisory Panel (Primary) followed by round table discussions on: Defining and Theorising Agency; Leadership in Practise; Moving On, Focusing on the Local School
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Round table discussions on the key messages for communicating to schools about the redeveloped Primary School Curriculum
- Workshop on the vision for the curriculum areas – Arts Education; Social and Environmental Education; Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths Education; and Wellbeing
Schools Forum Meeting, January 18th, 2023
- Update and presentation on the Primary Curriculum Framework followed by discussion on how schools can begin to become familiar with the framework.
- Presentation and workshop on a draft research paper on ‘Integration’ by the Dublin City University research team to support the Primary Curriculum Review and Redevelopment
- Workshop and round table discussions on the rationale for the curriculum areas – Arts Education; Social and Environmental Education (SEE); Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths Education (STEM); and Wellbeing.
- Input from the Centre for School Leadership on leading teams and change and; building relationships in schools.
Schools Forum Meeting, March 28th, 2023.
- Reflections on the launch of the Primary Curriculum Framework March 9th 2023 by Minister Foley, TD
- Presentation on the new Primary Maths Curriculum followed by a workshop to review new draft support materials. Round table discussion about issues in relation to teacher confidence and maths.
- Presentation on Social and Environmental Education (SEE). Round table discussions and feedback regarding the rationale for SEE in the redeveloped curriculum.
- Presentation on the Report on the STEM consultation event with children, teachers and parents (school communities), Introduction to the rationale for STEM Education as well as input on the STEM Specification. Round table discussions and feedback regarding the rationale statement for STEM Education in the redeveloped curriculum.
Schools Forum Meeting, May 25th, 2023
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Presentation on Modern Foreign Languages (MFL), including the rationale and a description of the proposed model at Stages 3 and 4 (3rd – 6th class) with exemplification. Round table discussions and feedback regarding MFL’s connection to learning outcomes in the Primary Language Curriculum.
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Presentation on Play including an exploration of its characteristics and insights from the ‘Children’s School Lives (CSL) Report 5. Round table discussions and feedback on key questions with regard to play and playful learning in the redeveloped Primary School Curriculum.
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Presentation on the Report on the Arts Education consultation event with children, teachers and parents (school communities). Round table discussions and feedback regarding the Arts Education statement in the Primary Curriculum Framework and current practise in relation to Arts Education in the Schools Forum schools.
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Reflection on the engagement, collaboration and work of the Schools Forum over the last school year.
Schools Forum Meeting, October 5th, 2023
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Presentation on Learning Outcomes followed by round table discussions on continuity and alignment between Learning Goals in Aistear, the Key Competencies in the Primary Curriculum Framework (PCF) and the Key Skills in Junior cycle. Opportunity for nominees to provide feedback on initial drafts of learning outcomes.
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Presentation by members of the Advisory Panel (Primary) on Teacher Agency, Child Agency, Integration, Pedagogy and Assessment followed by round table discussions.
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Presentation by Oide on Leading Curriculum Change followed by discussions.
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Presentation on the draft wellbeing curriculum specification. Round table discussions, feedback and input regarding materials presented.
Schools Forum Meeting, December 6th, 2023
- Presentation on the importance of curriculum alignment and coherence within the redeveloped primary curriculum and the technical structure of curriculum specifications.
- A brief overview of developments to date with the draft specifications for Arts Education; Modern Foreign Languages (MFL) as part of the Primary Language Curriculum; Social and Environmental Education (SEE); Science Technology and Engineering Education (STE); and Wellbeing.
- Workshops providing opportunities for nominees to provide feedback on the draft specifications including the Learning Outcomes for each curriculum area.
Schools Forum Meeting, January 16th, 2024
- An overview of the consultation on the draft primary curriculum specifications including the piloting of questionnaires.
- An overview of the plan for consulting with children on the draft primary curriculum specifications and an invitation to schools to express an interest in getting involved.
- Workshops providing opportunities for nominees to provide feedback on Chapter 6 of the draft primary curriculum specifications including the Learning, Teaching and Assessment for each curriculum area.