ACCS is pleased to inform schools that Oide has once again endorsed the ACCS Middle Leaders Training Programme. The endorsement remains in place for another four years until 2028. The provision will continue to be published on the CSL website and will be advertised on Oide Leadership website once the website has been completed.

This week, the ACCS Executive is inviting schools to apply for the programme for the academic year 2024/25. A Cohort 5 list of schools will be established in the coming weeks and places will be offered to applicant schools on a first come, first served basis. To date the ACCS team has worked with four cohorts of schools and in total 68 Community and Comprehensive Schools have taken part in the programme. All schools are invited to register for Cohort 5 training including those who have already engaged in previous years.

The Board of Management is invited to nominate a total of three delegates, one API, one APII and one member of the senior leadership team to attend this professional training programme. As places are limited and there is a very high demand for this in-service from schools, delegates are required to commit to both residentials and to the entire professional learning programme.

Context:

·    DES Circular 0003/2018

·    School Self Evaluation (SSE)

·    Looking at Our School 2022 – a quality framework for post primary schools

·    OECD Future of Education and Skills 2030

Programme Objectives:

• ·    To develop a shared understanding of distributed leadership by API, APII and the SLT/SMT in school in the current context.

• ·    To build leadership capacity in school.

• ·    To explore the LAOS 2022 framework and effective change management strategies.

• ·    To establish a robust culture which supports effective pedagogy in the classroom.

• ·    To consider the central importance of relationships and communication when working with stakeholders.

Cost:

The cost to the school based on the in-service programme, materials, overnight accommodation plus meals is €375 per person per residential. Total cost of the in-service to the school for three delegates for the two residentials = €2,250.

Schools are requested to pay this in two instalments on receipt of an invoice following each residential. The first €1,125 instalment is due for payment in October 2024 and the second €1,125 instalment is due for payment in March 2025. 

In order to participate fully, delegates will be required:

1.  To complete work on an area of in-school research/activities in the area of distributed leadership in their own school.

2.  To take learning back to school and to disseminate to the Board of Management, SLT, other post holders and staff in school.

3.  To familiarise themselves with LAOS, SSE, Circular 0003/2018 and any other recommended reading during the in-service.

4.  To bring along one of the School Improvement Plans (SIP) in the context of understanding their own reality.

5.  To bring a fully charged device along to each residential.

Timeframe and Proposed Structure of In-Service:

Residential 1: 8th & 9th October 2024.

Venue: The Mullingar Park Hotel, Mullingar, Co. Westmeath.

Residential 2: 11th & 12th March 2025.

Venue: The Mullingar Park Hotel, Mullingar, Co. Westmeath.

To register your school:

Please contact Debbie Riordan at driordan@accs.ie to express your school's interest in participating in this program. Places will be assigned on a first-come, first-served basis.

John Irwin, General Secretary, ACCS