School Development Planning Initiative An initiative for schools

School Development Planning Initiative “An initiative for schools by schools” Strategy Statement (Strategy for an Appreciation of Learning and Promotion of Attendance & Participation) Regional Seminar 1

SDP & Legislative Context n Education Act 1998 ü School Plan – S. 21 & Report – S. 20 n Education Welfare Act 2000 ü Admissions Policy ü Strategy for Learning Appreciation, Attendance & Participation ü Code of Behaviour n Equal Status Act 2000 ü Mainstreaming & integration of special needs students n Education for Persons with Special Education Needs Act – 2004 2

Tackling Disadvantage n Access - Attendance n Participation - Inclusion n Retention - Outcomes Equity and Inclusion are key values promoted by recent legislation 3

Education Welfare Act 2000 22 (1)…. . that school, prepare and submit to the Board a statement of the strategies and measures it proposes to adopt for the purposes of fostering an appreciation of learning among students attending that school and encouraging regular attendance at school on the part of such students …. . 4

Strategy for an Appreciation of Learning and Promotion of Attendance & Participation Education Welfare Act 2000 – S. 22(1) : key issues ü ü ü ü ü reward good attendance record identify developing attendance problems liaise with homes of at risk students network with other schools, local clubs, youth organisations, & others promote extra-curricular & co-curricular activities encourage full participation promote good behaviour ensure meaningful curriculum simplify procedures for attendance & participation 5

What is the Statement of Strategy? n Statement of mission promoting attendance and participation by all students in the full life of the school n Statement signposting policies and practices in the school that promote an appreciation of learning and good attendance n Statement of priorities for development with special reference to the nine listed categories 6

NEWB 2003/’ 04 National Attendance Report Response rate from post-primary 71% Average attendance 91. 3% Absent more than 20 days 18. 9% 7

NEWB Recommendations for Schools n Helpline is for parents and schools n Write to parents if you are concerned-20 days need not necessarily be the issue n If you are very concerned you can contact NEWB before 20 days have elapsed n Be careful of ‘absolutes’—adult literacy difficulties, lack of undersanding, etc… may be the reason for no reply to school correspondence n Use standard forms when reporting to NEWB (electronic means soon) n School templates of standard letters to be sent to parents are in the pipeline (from NEWB) n NEWB emphasises its supportive role to all of the partners 8

General Policy Recommendations Ø Need for clear written policies in relation to: ü ü Attendance Code of Behaviour Suspension Expulsion Ø The views of students, parents and former students are a key resource Ø Need for key policies (written) to be communicated to relevant partners 9

Educational Welfare Officer Main issues facing the Educational Welfare Officer: n Suspensions n Expulsions n School refusal n Unexplained absences n Refusal by school to enrol n Special Needs 10

NEWB Lo-call Helpline 1890 36 36 66 (2, 805 calls) Major Categoties n n n Won’t go to school Special Needs Bullying Home education Suspension/ expulsion Minor categories 19% 16% 12% 10% n n Rules re illness Moving Holidays School transport 10% 6% 6% 5% 11

Main Geographic Breakdown of 1890 Calls Dublin Cork Galway Meath 30% 9% 6% 6% Wicklow Kildare Westmeath Limerick Waterford Wexford 5% 4% 3% 3% 3% 12

NEWB Lo-Call Service: Parents (70% of calls) FAQs soon to be posted on NEWB Website Most frequently asked questions by Parents n My child is being bullied in school. What am I or the NEWB going to do about it? n My child has been suspended / expelled. What do I do? . n I am educating my child at home. I want to register with the NEWB and get advice about how to educate my child. What do I do? n My child is refusing to go to school – Help! n I wish to take my child out of school on a family holiday during term time. Am I allowed? n My child isn’t yet 16 but has been offered a job and wants to leave school. 13

Lo-Call Service: Schools (30% of calls) Most frequently asked questions by Schools n n n Have we an Educational Welfare Officer for our area and how do we contact him/her? I’ve a really urgent case here. Despite all our efforts this pupil will not come to school, what can I do? Do I take a child’s name off the register, I’m pretty sure they’ve gone elsewhere? Will we be getting guidelines and a standardised returns form? When a child moves from Primary to Secondary should the Primary school await written confirmation from the Secondary school before taking the child’s name off the register? 14

Comments? 15

Policy Considerations Consultation Legislation Resources VALUES, DESIRED OUTCOMES, MEASURES Evaluation & Review Communication Implementation & Monitoring 16

‘Statement of Strategy’ Possible Template n n n n n Title Link to Mission & Aims – Identify as benchmark value Rationale and aims – why have it? What are aims? Executive Summary of current provision – Reference to relevant policies, procedures & practices already in place Consultation procedures – involvement of partners Needs Analysis – results of review process Development Content – Agreed priority areas (under 9 headings) Roles, Responsibility & time frame – who, what and when? Success Criteria – implementation & outcomes Monitoring and Evaluation – when & how? 17

Whole School Planning Mission Statement Attendance and Participation: Strategy Statement Legislative/Trustee Policies Whole School Policies Student Support Policies ? ? ? ? ? ? 18

Whole School Planning 19

Attendance and Participation: Key Questions re 9 Areas Simplify Procedures for A&P Meaningful Curriculum Rewards Structure Identifying Problems Strategy Statement Promoting Good Behaviour Liaise With Home Community Networking Encouraging Full Participation Co/extra Curricular Activities 20

Workshop – ‘Statement of Strategy’ for your School 1. List the ways you meet the requirements of a statement of strategy in your school already? (Use the 9 headings as a guide) 2. Who should be consulted in the drafting of the statement and how? 3. How might you address those needs not yet being met? (Focus on key areas of need) 21

Strategy Statement: Road Map n What does our Mission Statement say about …. ? n What are our policies saying about …? n What is currently happening in our school regarding the nine areas in the legislation? n What/where are the gaps? n In what order of priority will they be addressed? n How will we evaluate the effectiveness of the Statement? What are the indicators of good practice in this area? Record all of the above findings…. . 22