The National Council for Special Education has today released new guidelines for schools when setting up and staffing special classes in a mainstream school.

A new study carried out by the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) has shown that some schools present soft barriers to children with special needs in their admission policies, resulting in disadvantaged schools having a higher number of special needs children than non-disadvantaged schools. http://ow.ly/xFif30367i7

Here are some interesting dates for your diary, compiled by Ciara Brennan (@PrimEdTeacher on Twitter), to help teachers create interesting themes for their lesson plans. Who knew there was a “Talk Like a Pirate Day”? September 1. All-Ireland Hurling Finals, Sunday 4th September – http://www.gaa.ie 2. All-Ireland Camogie Finals, Sunday 11th September – http://www.camogie.ie 3. Roald[…]

Baboró secures funding for early years arts festival in Galway in October. http://bit.ly/2atIHAP

The Journal interviews teachers in relation to the role of Catholicism in primary schools. http://bit.ly/2aWLhSs

Previous government commitments to downsize school buses will now not be carried out this September. Such was the public backlash to the announcement that the decision has now been referred to an all-party committee for review.  The government has committed to reviewing the decision before the Budget, but not in time for September. The state currently pays[…]

Barnardos have today released their report on the Real Cost of School in 2016. The study of 1,475 parents showed that the average cost of sending a primary school pupil to school is €340 for a senior infant and €395 for a child in 4th class. Secondary school pupils cost parents €775. The cost covers[…]

The Journal describes the difficulties faced by non-religious parents sending children to school in Ireland. http://bit.ly/2aPtIXb

School children tell the Journal how they learn about religion in primary school. http://bit.ly/2aAV6UN

The Dáil will debate the Education (Amendment Bill) today, 21 July 2016, which seeks to establish an Ombudsman for Education. The Ombudsman would hold schools to account and provide an avenue for parents to appeal board decisions for the first time. Under the current system, parents must appeal decisions directly to the principal or board which[…]