Raising awareness among staff members in relation to current situation in the school regarding attendance, attainment, progression and retention. Results from incoming 1st year assessments CAT 4 level d analysed Figures on Attendance gathered and presented to staff Comparative study of Junior Certificate results over three years Figures on retention gathered and presented to staff Guidance Counselor DEIS Coordinator Guidance Counselor Principal All staff members have clear and accurate picture of where St David’s students rank against national averages and in relation to previous years results End of third term for the next academic year Throughout the year First academic term when results are published End of year May 2016 Introduction of One-hour classes to facilitate methodologies Gather information from two schools that have already experienced One-hour classes-at least one should be a DEIS school One-hour class to experience it first hand Survey students, parents and staff their experience of one hour class Made decision re One-hour class Mr. Ladden Mr. Moran Mr. Nally Ms. Sammon Whole staff Deputy Principal and Home School Liaison Teacher Whole staff/ Board of Management in consultation with parents and students Report produced and presented to Staff and students will have greater understanding of what One-hour class entails Before end of second term 2016 Last term 2016 Last term 2016 Last term 2016 May 2016 learning
Create a leadership team to drive Active-learning Three teachers to be trained in Instructional leadership Mr. Kavanagh, Ms. Flanagan and Mr. Ladden Leadership team will promote Al and coordinate the introduction of Al methodologies By Easter 2016 May 2016 Take a more coordinated approach to Development Planning in the school. Create a planning team of volunteer teachers who will coordinate school development planning Mr. Kavanagh, Ms. Flanagan Planning team to lead development of By January 2016 May 2016 Raise awareness among teachers about what entails Workshop by PDST on Active-learning methodologies Selena Wilkes Up-skill the teaching staff on Al September 2015 May 2016 School Improvement Plan for ACTIVE-LEARNING 2016/2017 Improvement Targets Required Action Person (s) Responsible Measurable outcomes/ Success Criteria Timeframe for Action Review Date
Improve staff capacity in Active-learning Action learning workshop by Freeman Action workshop by Trinity College Ms. Flanagan Teachers up-skilled in Active-learning methodologies Sept 2016 May 2017 Expand Instructional Leadership team Three more teachers commence Instructional Leadership course (Cohort 9) Cohort 8 to commence session two and three in IL Mr. Kavanagh Mr. Kavanagh, Ms. Flanagan, Mr. Ladden Greater number of teachers proficient in Instructional leadership October 2016 October 2016/ March 2017 May 2017 May 2017 Newly Qualified Teachers (NQT’S) to be mentored by experienced teachers in the school to ensure Active-learning is promoted by new staff members Staff members to be trained in Droichead Members of the Droichead team to commence mentoring NQT’s Ms. Flanagan Induction of NQT’s into school to be planned and planned and Active-learning methodologies to be emphasized. Commence October 2016 May 2017 Peer Observation to be embedded into the school culture Peer Observations to be rolled out School Improvement Plan for ACTIVE-LEARNING 2017/ 2018 Summary of Main Strengths 38% of students coming into the school are below average academically as against 23% nationally (Results from 1st year assessments CAT 4 level d) There is a very positive attitude among teachers about using Active-learning methodologies Many of the staff have recently completed their teacher training and are familiar with and use Active-learning methodologies already There is a certified Instructional Leadership team in the school who are driving an Active-learning approach to and teaching
Cohort 8 to commence session four of course and graduate October 2017 May 2018 Newly Qualified Teachers (NQT’S) to continue to be mentored by experienced teachers in the school to ensure is promoted by new staff members Members of the Droichead team mentoring NQT’s Ms. Flanagan and the Droichead team Effective induction of NQT’s Focus on Active-learning methodologies May 2018 May 2018 Peer Observation to be embedded into the school culture Peer Observations to be continued using Croke Park hours SSE Coordinator Improve teaching capacity by sharing ideas and methodologies Before Easter 2018 May 2018 Increase the use of ICT in the classroom Staff members to give workshops on technology they use in the classroom (Edmodo/ Kahoot etc.) Instructional Leadership team and volunteers Increase staff IT skills and increase its use in class Before Christmas 2017 May 2018