Tionscnamh Cónaitheachta na nEalaíon san Oideachas i mBunscoileanna agus Iar-Bhunscoileanna

Tionscnamh Cónaitheachta na nEalaíon san Oideachas i mBunscoileanna agus Iar-Bhunscoileanna

D'fhorbair an Roinn Oideachais Clár Cónaitheachta nua nuálach Ealaíon-san-OideachasBLAST in 2021. Cumasóidh sé suas le 400 Cónaitheacht Ealaíon-san-Oideachas nua i scoileanna gach bliain.

Tá sé mar aidhm ag an tionscnamh seo tacú le comhtháthú na bprionsabal agus na bpríomhscileanna a leagtar amach in Cairt na nEalaíon san Oideachas agus sa Chlár Éire Ildánach (2017-2022), Colún 1 Óige Ildánach.

Is í aidhm na scéime seo an deis a thabhairt do dhaltaí i scoileanna ar fud na tíre oibriú le healaíontóir gairmiúil ar thionscadail uathúla atá le ceapadh agus le pleanáil ag an ealaíontóir, an múinteoir agus an scoil le chéile faoi chomhordú líonra Ionaid Tacaíochta Oideachais na hÉireann (ITOÉ) ar líonra na 21 ionad oideachais lánaimseartha é. Tacaíonn an tionscnamh seo le leanaí agus daoine óga ar mhaithe leis an todhchaí, tráth a mbeidh scileanna cosúil leis an gcumas nascadh agus comhoibriú le daoine eile, dul i mbun smaointeoireachta cruthaithí agus criticiúla agus cuimsitheacht a chleachtadh ar gach leibhéal thar a bheith tábhachtach don tsíocháin, don chobhsaíocht, don fhás eacnamaíoch inbhuanaithe agus don chomhionannas.

Is é atá beartaithe ná próiseas sruthlínithe uathúil trína ndéanann scoileanna iarratas ar ealaíontóir ar Chlár Ar Líne na nEalaíontóirí Ceadaithe atá oilte cheana féin don Chlár Cónaitheachta Ealaíon-san-Oideachas nua BLAST atá á bhainistiú ag an ionad oideachais áitiúil. Íocfaidh an t-ionad oideachais an t-ealaíontóir freisin, rud a laghdóidh an t-ualach riaracháin ar mhúinteoirí agus ar scoileanna níos mó fós.

Conas a oibreoidh an tionscnamh Cónaitheachta BLAST seo?

An tIonad Oideachais:

Beidh an clár á chomhordú go náisiúnta ag suíomh riaracháin Ealaíon san Oideachas atá lonnaithe san Ionad Oideachais i dTrá Lí, ach déanfaidh scoileanna iarratas ar Chónaitheacht Ealaíon-san-Oideachas BLAST chuig an ionad oideachais lánaimseartha ina gceantar féin, bunaithe ar Chlár Ar Líne na nEalaíontóirí Ceadaithe. Socrófar Clár na nEalaíontóirí Ceadaithe i ngach ionad oideachais de réir ealaíontóra agus disciplín. Áireofar ann taithí oiliúna ábhartha riachtanach agus fhaofa, samplaí d’obair roimhe seo agus samplaí de thaithí ábhartha nó gaolmhar i gcomhthéacs oideachais agus pobail.

Faoi láthair tá breis agus 300 ealaíontóir oilte agus cláraithe ar Chlár Ar Líne na nEalaíontóirí Ceadaithe á mbainistiú ag líonra na n-ionad oideachais go náisiúnta. Beidh gach ealaíontóir tar éis a B(h)eartas Dea-Chleachtais um Chosaint Leanaí (lena n-áirítear an Ráiteas um Chosaint Leanaí) agus a T(h)eastas maidir leis an modúil oiliúna Tús Áite do Leanaí a chríochnú a chur faoi bhráid an ionaid oideachais.

Is próiseas uathúil sruthlínithe an rud atá beartaithe nuair a dhéanann scoileanna iarratas ar ealaíontóir faoin gClár Cónaitheachta Ealaíon-san-Oideachas nua BLAST. Déanfaidh an t-ionad oideachais socrú freisin maidir leis an ealaíontóir a íoc, rud a bhainfidh an t-ualach riaracháin de mhúinteoirí agus de scoileanna níos mó fós.

Grinnfhiosrúchán an Gharda Síochána:

Eagróidh an tIonad oideachais grinnfhiosrúchán na n-ealaíontóirí i ndáil le hiarratais rathúla scoile le gach ealaíontóir ar leith i gcomhar leis an scoil. Féadfaidh scoileanna iarraidh ar an ealaíontóir leo féin (más mian leo) iarratas a dhéanamh ar ghrinnfhiosrúchán an Gharda Síochána chun obair ina scoil go sonrach.

Na hEalaíontóirí:

Clárófar ealaíontóirí ó aon disciplín ealaíne ar bith a fuair oiliúint in obair chomhpháirtíochta le scoileanna le gach ceann den 21 ionad lánaimseartha ITOÉ. Ar na disciplíní ealaíne áirítear na hamharcealaíona, ceardaíocht, ceol, damhsa, drámaíocht, litríocht agus scannánaíocht. Leathnófar disciplíní cruthaitheacha de réir mar a fhorbróidh an clár cónaitheachta sna blianta atá romhainn.

Cuireadh oiliúint roimhe seo ar na healaíontóirí atá ar Chlár na nEalaíontóirí Ceadaithe agus bhí siad i mbun cónaitheachtaí scoile faoin tionscnamh FGL agus Cónaitheachta um Chomhpháirtíocht idir Múinteoirí agus Ealaíontóirí nó faoin gClár um Ealaíona sa tSraith Shóisearach atá faofa ag an Roinn Oideachais agus agus faoina stiúir.

An Scoil:

Caithfidh na scoileanna a bheith i ndobharcheantar an ionaid oideachais lánaimseartha áitiúil. Ní féidir le scoileanna ach iarratas amháin a chur isteach. Ba chóir do scoileanna a rogha féin d’ealaíontóirí a dhéanamh ar an gClár Ceadaithe, bunaithe ar CVanna/samplaí oibre a rinneadh le déanaí, oiliúint agus moltaí. Tá cuimsiú na n-ealaíontóirí ar an gClár Ceadaithe bunaithe ar oiliúint san ionad oideachais (TAP) mar aon le hoiriúnacht/cáilíocht ealaíne srl., agus é a bheith déanta roimh ré lena chinntiú go sásaíonn an t-ealaíontóir roghnaithe beartais na scoile maidir le pearsanra seachtrach a fhostú.

Nuair a bheidh scoil ceadaithe don scéim, beidh gealltanas ag an scoil don ealaíontóir. Beidh am curtha in áirithe aige nó aici don tionscadal agus d’fhéadfadh sé nó sí obair eile a dhiúltú ag na hamanna atá sceidealta don obair leis an scoil.

Spreagann an tionscnamh seo:

· Scoileanna, idir bhunscoileanna agus iar-bhunscoileanna, nach raibh deis acu le déanaí páirt a ghlacadh i dtionscnaimh chruthaitheacha den sórt sin chun iarratas a dhéanamh.

· Scoileanna a thacaíonn le cuimsiú agus le níos mó rannpháirtíochta scoláirí ó chúlraí faoi mhíbhuntáiste agus scoláirí a bhfuil riachtanais speisialta oideachais acu in ealaíona-san-oideachas chun iarratas a dhéanamh.

· Scoileanna a bhfuil cuntas teiste acu i gcomhpháirtíocht múinteora-ealaíontóra atá ag obair sa seomra ranga agus sa scoil chun iarratas a dhéanamh.

· Tiomantas scoile uile don tionscadal, ach ní riachtanas é go n-oibreoidh gach rang leis an ealaíontóir

· Ba cheart go dtabharfadh tionscadail aird ar na curaclaim scoile ábhartha nuair is cuí agus go ndíreodh siad ar an bpróiseas.

Maoiniú na Cónaitheachta Ealaíon-san-Oideachas BLAST:

Is é táille an ealaíontóra €1,000 in aghaidh na cónaitheachta. Maoiníonn an Roinn Oideachais é seo trí gach ionad oideachais. Íocfaidh an t-ionad oideachais an t-ealaíontóir de réir treoirlínte comhaontaithe nuair a bheidh meastóireachtaí an ealaíontóra agus an mhúinteora/na scoile curtha isteach agus faighte. I gcásanna áirithe, d’fhéadfadh go n-áireofaí leis seo dhá thráthchuid €500 a íoc má tá sé seo comhaontaithe.

Maoineofar an t-ealaíontóir le haghaidh 20 uair teagmhála, lena n-áirítear 6 uaire an chloig don phleanáil/d’fhorbairt/d’athbhreithniú. Caithfidh scoileanna rannpháirteacha íoc as ábhair a bhaineann leis an tionscadal agus freisin as doiciméadú an tionscadail trí ghrianghraif srl. chomh maith le haon chostais eile, costais árachais san áireamh. Is féidir cónaitheachtaí maoinithe a sheachadadh i rith na bliana acadúla ar fad ag tosú i mí Mheán Fómhair sa bhliain a ceadaíodh an chónaitheacht.

Caithfidh scoileanna aitheantas a thabhairt don Roinn Oideachais agus don ionad oideachais áitiúil as gach poiblíocht a bhaineann leis an tionscadal.

Iarratais a n-éiríonn leo:

Ceanglófar ar scoileanna a n-éiríonn leo conradh gairid a shíniú lena n-ionad oideachais áitiúil ag glacadh le téarmaí Chlár Cónaitheachta Ealaíon-san-Oideachas BLAST sula dtosaítear ar an gcónaitheacht. Níor cheart tús a chur le cónaitheachtaí ar éirigh leo go dtí go bhfaighfear fógra oifigiúil i scríbhinn chun dul ar aghaidh ón ionad oideachais agus a luaithe atá grinnfhiosrúchán an Gharda Síochána críochnaithe agus é sin curtha in iúl don scoil.

Is coinníoll sonrach den chlár cónaitheachta seo go n-oibríonn múinteoir as láimh a chéile leis an ealaíontóir, go gcomhoibrítear leis/léi chun an t-eispéireas foghlama a phleanáil agus go mbíonn sé/sí i láthair i gcónaí leis an ealaíontóir agus nuair a bhíonn an obair leis na scoláirí ar siúl sa scoil agus chun an chomhpháirtíocht idir an múinteoir agus an t-ealaíontóir a chur chun cinn tuilleadh. Beidh scoileanna freagrach as a chinntiú go gcomhlíonann an chónaitheacht comhairle Sláinte Poiblí atá i bhfeidhm tráth an tionscadail.

Meastóireacht:

Cuirfidh an t-ionad oideachais an mheastóireacht riachtanach i bhfeidhm do Chónaitheachtaí Ealaíon-san-Oideachas. Áireofar leis seo cuairt scoile, an Fhoirm Aiseolais Múinteora/Scoile agus an Fhoirm Aiseolais Ealaíontóra a chomhlánú agus a sheoladh ar ais. Íocfar an dara tráthchuid de tháille an ealaíontóra tar éis na tuarascálacha deiridh a bheith curtha isteach.

Is féidir aon íomhánna a chuireann an scoil isteach i dtuarascálacha nó ar chríochnú an tionscadail a úsáid chun an scéim a chur chun cinn trí chló agus trí mheáin eile lena n-áirítear na meáin shóisialta. Tá sé tábhachtach mar sin go mbeadh cead ag na scoileanna íomhánna den sórt sin a úsáid, ag tabhairt dá n-aire sna foirmeacha toilithe go n-úsáidfear iad chun na críche seo, agus gan íomhánna a sheoladh chuig an ionad oideachais ach amháin nuair a bheidh toiliú tuismitheoirí faighte.

Treoirlínte maidir le hIarratas:

Nóta ar Threoir Sláinte Poiblí a bhaineann le COVID-19: Ba chóir do scoileanna tograí a bhunú ar an gcomhairle agus an treoir sláinte poiblí is fearr atá ar fáil tráth an iarratais.

Caithfidh an méid seo a leanas a bheith san áireamh in iarratais chomhlánaithe

· Foirm iarratais chomhlánaithe

· Togra i scríbhinn don tionscadal a léiríonn aidhmeanna an tionscadail, an téama, na hábhair, na próisis, na torthaí a bhfuil súil leo, inseachadtacht, líon na n-uaireanta teagmhála agus líon na ranganna agus na ndaltaí a ghlacfaidh páirt sa tionscadal.

· Léirigh freisin an tréimhse ama agus an modh doiciméadaithe atá beartaithe don tionscadal.

· Ba chóir go léireodh an togra tiomantas scoile uile don tionscadal. (Ní chiallaíonn sé seo go gcaithfidh gach leanbh páirt a ghlacadh sa tionscadal ach gur chóir go mbeadh an scoil iomlán tacúil agus solúbtha chun an tionscadal a éascú).

· Osclófar iarratais ar an 4 Meitheamh 2021. Is é an 30 Meán Fómhair 2021 an dáta deiridh chun iarratais a fháil.

Tacóidh líonra na n-ionad oideachais ITOÉ , clár FGL um Chomhpháirtíocht idir Ealaíontóirí agus Múinteoirí, Ealaíona sa tSraith Shóisearach, Clár Rannpháirtíochta Cruthaithí NAPD agus an Tairseach Ealaíona san Oideachas leis an tionscnamh seo.

Faigh an fhoirm iarratais anseo: Foirm Iarratais BLAST

BLAST Arts in Education Application Form 2021 (Irish Version)

BLAST - Arts in Education Residency Initiative in Primary and Post-Primary Schools

Arts in Education Residency Initiative in Primary and Post-primary Schools

The Department of Education has developed a new innovative Arts-in-Education BLAST Residency Programme in 2021, which will enable up to 400 new Arts-in-Education Residencies in schools each year.

This initiative aims to support the integration of the principles and key skills outlined in the Arts in Education Charter and the Creative Ireland Programme (2017-2022), Pillar 1 Creative Youth.

The aim of this scheme is to give pupils in schools all over the country the opportunity to work with a professional artist on unique projects to be originated and planned between the artist, the teacher and the school under the coordination of the Education Support Centres Ireland ESCI network of 21 full-time education centres. This initiative supports children and young people for the future, where skills like the ability to connect and collaborate with others, engage in creative and critical thinking and practice inclusivity at every level will be paramount to peace, stability, sustainable economic growth and equality.

What is proposed is a unique streamlined process whereby schools apply for an artist on the Online Register of Approved Artists who are already trained for the new BLAST Arts-in-Education Residency Programme managed by the local education centre. The education centre will also pay the artist which will further remove the administrative burden on teachers and schools.

How will this BLAST Residency initiative work?

The Education Centre:

While the programme will be nationally coordinated by the Arts in Education administrative base located at the Education Centre Tralee, Schools will apply for a BLAST Arts-in-Education Residency to the full-time education centre in their area, based on the Online Register of Approved Artists. The Register of Approved Artists in each education centre will be arranged by artist and discipline, include relevant required and approved training experience, examples of previous work and examples of relevant or related experience in an educational and community context.

In excess of 300 artists are currently trained and registered on the Online Register of Approved Artists managed by the education centre network nationally. All artists will have submitted their Child Safeguarding Best Practice Policy (to include Child Safeguarding Statement) and their Certificate of completion of the Children First Training module to the education centre.

What is proposed is a unique streamlined process when schools apply for an artist under the new BLAST Arts-in-Education Residency Programme. The education centre will also arrange for payment of the artist, which will further remove the administrative burden on teachers and schools.

Garda vetting:

Garda vetting for artists for successful school applications will be organised with the individual artist by the education Centre in collaboration with the school. Schools may separately (if they wish) request the artist to apply for Garda vetting specifically to work in their school.

The Artists:

Artists from any artistic discipline who have been trained in partnership working with schools will be registered with each of the 21 full-time ESCI centres. Artistic disciplines include visual arts, crafts, music, dance, drama, literature and film. Creative disciplines will be expanded as the residency programme develops over the next number of years.

The artists on the Register of Approved Artists will have been previously trained and have engaged in school residencies under the Teacher-Artist Partnership CPD and Residency initiative or the Arts in Junior Cycle Programme which are both approved and led by the Department of Education.

The School:

The schools must be in the catchment of the local full-time education centre. Schools may submit only one application. Schools should make their own selection of artists on the Approved Register, based on CVs/examples of recent work, training and recommendations. Inclusion of artists on the Approved Register is based on training in the education centre (TAP) in addition to suitability/artistic qualification etc. and has taken place in advance to ensure the selected artist satisfies school policies in relation to engagement of external personnel.

Once a school is approved for the scheme, the school has a commitment to the artist, who will have earmarked that time for the project and could potentially turn down other work at the times scheduled to work with the school.

This initiative encourages:

· Schools, primary and post-primary, that have not recently had an opportunity to participate in such creative initiatives.

· Schools supporting inclusion and enhanced arts-in-education engagement with students from disadvantaged backgrounds and students with special educational needs.

· Schools that have a track record in teacher-artist partnership working in the classroom and school.

· A whole-school commitment to the project, but it is not a requirement that all classes work with the artist.

· Projects should have regard to the relevant school curricula where appropriate and have a focus on process.

BLAST Arts-in-Education Residency funding:

The artist’s fee is €1,000 per residency. This is funded by the Department of Education via each education centre. The education centre will pay the artist in accordance with agreed guidelines after the artist and teacher/school evaluations have been submitted and received. In certain instances, this may include the payment of two instalments of €500 with agreement.

The artist will be funded for 20 contact hours, including 6 hours planning/development/review time. Participating schools must pay for materials associated with the project and also for documentation of the project through photographs etc. and any other costs involved including insurance costs. Funded residencies can be delivered throughout the academic year commencing in September in the year the residency was approved.

Schools must acknowledge the Department of Education and the local education centre in all publicity relating to the project.

Successful applications:

Successful schools will be required to sign a short contract with their local education centre accepting the terms of the BLAST Arts-in-Education Residency Programme prior to the commencement of the residency. Successful residencies should not be started until official written notification to proceed has been received from the education centre and once Garda vetting has been completed and this has been communicated to the school.

It is a specific condition of this residency programme that a teacher works closely and collaborates with the artist to plan the learning experience and is present at all times with the artist while working with students in the school and to enhance further teacher-artist partnership. Schools will be responsible for ensuring the residency complies with Public Health advice relevant at the time of the project.

Evaluation:

The education centre will put in place the necessary evaluation for Arts-in-Education Residencies. This will include a school visit, completion and return of the Teacher/School Feedback Form and the Artist Feedback Form. The second instalment of the artist fee will be paid following the submission of the final reports.

Any images submitted by the school either in reports or on completing the project may be used to promote the scheme through print and other media including social media. It is therefore important that the schools have permission for the use of such images, noting in the consent forms that they will be used for this purpose, and only send images to the education centre once parental consent has been obtained.

Guidelines for Application:

A note on COVID-19 related Public Health Guidance: Schools should base proposals on the best public health advice and guidance available at the time of application.

Completed applications must include

· A completed application form

· A written proposal for the project indicating the aims of the project, the theme, materials, processes, anticipated outcomes, deliverability, number of contact hours and number of classes and pupils that will participate in the project.

· Please also indicate the planned time-frame schedule and planned method of documentation for the project.

· The proposal should demonstrate a whole school commitment to the project. (This does not mean that all children must participate in the project rather that the whole school should be supportive and flexible in facilitating the project).

· Applications will open on 4 June 2021.The closing date is 30th September 2021.

This initiative will be supported by the ESCI education centre network, Teacher Artist Partnership CPD programme, Arts in Junior Cycle, NAPD Creative Engagement Programme and the Arts in Education Portal.

Please use this link to access BLAST application forms:

https://www.gov.ie/en/form/012fe-blast-arts-in-education-application-form/

NIPT: Induction Workshops UPDATE

Induction Workshops

Induction workshops are open to all NQTs to support their professional learning. While they are not a requirement of the Droichead process, many NQTs use them as an Additional Professional Learning Activity.

The suite of online workshops continues to be available to NQTs via the NIPT online learning platform - 4 Primary workshops; 5 Post-Primary workshops and 3 Cross-Sectoral workshops.

Evidence Based Behavioural Support (NIPTWS09) for Post-Primary NQTs has been added to the suite and is now available. This brings the suite of online workshops to 12, details of which are outlined on our website www.teacherinduction.ie.

If NQTs registered with your centre would like details of the workshops they have completed, they are asked to contact the local Education Centre where they attended the workshop(s). If they require further assistance or confirmation they are asked to email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. in Donegal EC or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. (NIPT-DWEC we will redirect from there.)

Please monitor the NIPT website www.teacherinduction.ie for further updates.

NIPT: Droichead Clusters UPDATE

Strand B-Cluster Meetings:

As in previous years, NQTs are required to attend one cluster meeting per term, specific to their sector, in sequential order for the duration of their Droichead process. NQTs must have applied for Droichead via www.teachingcouncil.ie and have received a confirmation email from the Teaching Council before registering to attend Cluster Meeting 1.

Cluster Meeting 1

Cluster Meeting 1 remains available online via the NIPT online learning platform and will continue to do so for the remainder of this term. This can be accessed at https://onlinelearning.teacherinduction.ie. Protocols apply in order to be credited with the required 2-hour attendance and subsequent certification to confirm this attendance.

Cluster Meeting 2

Cluster Meeting 2 was facilitated remotely by associates, via Zoom, in March 2021. This will continue to be the case for an additional 2 weeks from April 20th - 29th with dates/times released at staggered time in advance (April 12th and 19th). Additional protocols also apply to this cluster meeting and those NQTs wishing to attend are required to familiarise themselves with them prior to registering. For your information, protocols can be accessed on our website www.teacherinduction.ie.

Cluster Meeting 3

Cluster Meeting 3 will be facilitated remotely by associates, via Zoom, in May 2021 in a similar format to Cluster Meeting 2 above. Further information will be published on our website www.teacherinduction.ie in due course.

Please monitor the NIPT website www.teacherinduction.ie for further updates.

NCSE Supports for Schools and Parents

NCSE supports for schools and parents

For teachers in special schools and special classes that are delivering remote teaching and learning

· NCSE has a number of dedicated advisors in the area of behaviour, autism and other special educational needs. The NCSE is setting up a phone line where teachers in a special school or special class can speak directly to an advisor. This new phone number is 01 603 3233 (from Monday 11 January).

· NCSE will be developing a brand new suite of short videos for teachers on how best to support children and young people with special educational needs when they are learning remotely. These will include tips and strategies for engaging learners with online learning as well as more general advice about supporting the well-being of students.

· The NCSE has a Visiting Teacher Service which provides direct support to children who are blind/visually impaired and deaf/hard of hearing and their teachers. This service will continue to be delivered online.

· Schools can continue to access NCSE online support https://ncse.ie/school-support provided in the form of telephone support, email support, or via video conferencing. Teachers in special classes and special schools can request support specific to their needs or the needs of the children in their school/class. Bespoke training is designed by NCSE Advisors, with input from Behaviour Practitioners, OTs and SLTs as required and will be delivered using appropriate online platforms.

· Schools who established their first ASD Special Class for 2020/21 were assigned a link advisor during the 4 day training course in September/ October 2020. These advisors remain assigned to these classes and are available to provide support and advice to the special class teacher.

· NCSE will continue to deliver a range of online seminars for teachers https://ncse.ie/for-schools/connect-teacher-professional-learning-events-catalogue covering a range of topics including supporting children with autism in school, positive behaviour management, assistive technology etc. These courses are designed to increase teachers’ capacity to support and teach students with special educational needs.

· The NCSE has a Visiting Teacher service which provides direct support to children who are blind/visually impaired and deaf/hard of hearing and their teachers. Visiting Teachers continue to be available to provide advice and support. Contact details for visiting teachers are available at https://ncse.ie/vt_contact_details. If teachers experience difficulties contacting their Visiting Teacher they should call 01 603 3200.

For teachers of children with special educational needs in mainstream schools that are delivering remote teaching and learning

· NCSE has created a dedicated phone line for teachers to seek advice with regard to delivering remote teaching and learning to children with special educational needs. Teachers calling this line can access a number of NCSE advisors with expertise in a range of special educational needs. This new phone number is 01 603 3233 (from Monday 11 January).

· Schools will continue to have access to NCSE online support https://ncse.ie/school-support provided in the form of telephone support, email support, or via video conferencing. Teachers in in mainstream schools can request support specific to their needs or the needs of the children in their school/class. Bespoke training is designed by NCSE Advisors, with input from Behaviour Practitioners, OTs and SLTs as required and will be delivered using appropriate online platforms.

· NCSE will be delivering a range of online seminars for teachers https://ncse.ie/for-schools/connect-teacher-professional-learning-events-catalogue covering a range of topics including supporting children with autism in school, positive behaviour management, assistive technology etc. These courses are designed to increase teachers’ capacity to support and teach students with special educational needs.

· The NCSE has a whole range of resources https://ncse.ie/teacher-resources covering a wide range of topics, including useful apps to facilitate remote teaching and learning https://ncse.ie/useful-apps and other useful resources that were prepared in response to the last period of remote teaching and learning.

· The NCSE has a Visiting Teacher service which provides direct support to children who are blind/visually impaired and deaf/hard of hearing and their teachers. Visiting Teachers continue to be available to provide advice and support. Contact details for visiting teachers are available at https://ncse.ie/vt_contact_details. If teachers experience difficulties contacting their Visiting Teacher they should call 01 603 3200.

For parents of children with special educational needs

· NCSE have created a dedicated phone line for parents to get advice and support from SENOs. The SENO will provide support and advice to parents and where relevant provide specific resources e.g. behaviour strategies, NEPS well-being resources. If necessary parents can book a subsequent appointment with the SENO assigned to their child’s school. This new phone number is 01 603 3456 (from Monday 11 January).

· For students who might be moving between schools in September 2021, SENOs will undertake structured engagement with relevant students and their families. This engagement will involve advice and support on transition strategies appropriate to the student, along with support in securing a school placement where required.

· SENOs will continue to provide a series of webinars for parents of students with special education needs starting primary school in September 2021.

· The NCSE has a Visiting Teacher service which provides direct support to children who are blind/visually impaired and deaf/hard of hearing and their teachers. Visiting Teachers continue to be available to provide advice and support to parents, students and teachers during this period of remote teaching and learning. Visiting Teachers will undertake structured engagement with the families of students to whom they currently provide support to. This engagement will involve an initial check in with advice on available supports and resources. In particular, the Visiting Teacher will provide support on the use of assistive technology in the home. The Visiting Teacher will agree a programme of regular engagement with the student and family as required and will remain available to respond to emerging queries over the course of remote teaching and learning. Contact details for visiting teachers are available at https://ncse.ie/vt_contact_details. If parents experience difficulties contacting their Visiting Teacher they should call 01 603 3200.

· NCSE will also be releasing a brand new suite of short videos for parents. Topics will include managing behaviour; establishing positive routines; building in movement breaks etc.

· NCSE will also be updating and enhancing its range of resources for parents available at https://ncse.ie/parent-resources many of which were created with specific reference to remote teaching and learning.

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