KEY SESSIONS IN SCHOOLS

THE ROLE OF THE YEAR HEAD - TOWARDS A TEAM APPROACH

The year head is universally recognised as a key leader in the modern school. However many year heads have expressed concerns about defining the role and interpreting its boundaries. 

This in-school  session helps year heads to reflect on their role, begin  to define a vision for the year head team and explore a range of strategies to support them in their role.

The session :
  • supports teachers in defining and establishing their role as year head,  particularly in the context of the changes to the role of  the middle leader introduced in 2018.
  • provides access to a range of template administration/support files
  • enables teachers to support student wellbeing within the year group, including dealing with challenging behaviour.

PROMOTING POSITIVE BEHAVIOUR MANAGEMENT FOR TEACHERS

This  workshop offers teachers an opportunity to reflect on their approach to behaviour management in their classrooms.  It presents a range of practical strategies that teachers can apply in their classrooms to minimise and address typical misbehaviours that occur on a daily basis.  

The session:
  • explores societal and whole school factors that impact on behaviour
  • introduces the theories of Positive and Assertive Discipline
  • offers a range of practical strategies for reducing low level misbehaviour

THE ROLE OF THE MIDDLE LEADER IN THE POST PRIMARY SCHOOL

Post holders at AP1 and AP2 level and teachers in positions of leadership in schools are key members of the school community.  All have the capacity to influence the development of the school in positive ways whilst exploring directions for their own career path.  

This workshop helps participants to reflect on their current role and begin to create a vision for their future.  It also gives them the opportunity to hone the key skills of planning, evaluation and leading teams.  

TEAM TEACHING

With recent trends towards greater inclusivity of all learners, team teaching is being adopted as an effective in-school intervention to support effective learning in the post primary classroom.
This course includes:
  • the various models of team teaching and how they can be practically implemented in the classroom.
  • the opportunities that team teaching presents to support the learning needs of students with special education needs.
  • the opportunities that team teaching present for the Continuing Professional Development (CPD) of teachers.

ASSESSMENT FOR LEARNING

Assessment has always played a central role in the Irish Education system, particularly from the perspective of measuring achievement.  

However, assessment is also central to raising achievement through improved learning.   
Assessment for learning (AfL) places value on encouraging students to be more engaged in their learning. 

This session l examines how assessment may be used to enhance teaching and learning in the classroom.  It outlines the 5 key strands of AfL with a particular emphasis on offering teachers practical strategies that they can implement in their classrooms.

THE ROLE OF THE CLASS TUTOR

Many post primary teachers perform the voluntary role of class tutor.  The role offers an opportunity for teachers to reflect on how they might build a positive and rewarding relationship with their tutor class.  The role is underdeveloped in many schools. 

This session helps class tutors to define a vision for their role and explore a range of strategies to support them in their day to day engagement with their tutor class.  

It also  offers an opportunity to engage in professional dialogue with colleagues to help build a common vision for the role in their school.

ACTIVE LEARNING / TEACHING METHODOLOGIES

Our students differ in many ways and thus learn in different ways. Research has shown that many young people learn best by doing. The challenge for teachers can sometimes be to vary their methodologies to respond to the needs of these students. 

This session offer teachers an opportunity to reflect on the active methodologies they already employ and explore some practical active strategies that will help them support the learning of the many kinaesthetic learners they encounter in their classrooms every day.

DIFFERENTIATION IN THE MIXED ABILITY CLASSROOM

One of the great joys of teaching is the fact that our students differ in so many ways.   
However this can present a challenge to teachers who have a crowded curriculum to complete with these diverse class groups.  

This session  offers teachers an opportunity to reflect on how they already differentiate and explore some practical classroom strategies that will help them support the learning of both the exceptionally able students and struggling learners in their classrooms.

SUPPORTING THE LEAVING CERTIFICATE APPLIED PROGRAMME

Harry has supported schools implementing the Leaving Certificate Applied Programme 
nationally since its introduction in 1995. 

As a recognised expert on the programme he is available to support all aspects of introducing the programme to schools wishing to adopt it for the first time.   

Harry is also available to support principals, coordinators and teachers in all aspects of implementing the programme in their schools.