Training Programmes for Schools

Approximately a three hour session – tailored around the practical needs of the school. Seminar Leader: Luke Monahan, National Co-ordinator, Irish Association of Pastoral Care in Education, author of a range of practical guides on educational best practice and facilitator of professional development programmes for teachers for over fifteen years.

The seminar will have a highly practical focus ensuring participants are equipped with skills and concrete strategies to apply in their own specific contexts. Usually all staff are involved in the seminar. The main themes this programme will cover are:

1: A Framework for the Role of Class Tutor, Year Head & other pastoral roles
Understanding the role; Definitions; Place in the school community; Specific issues of participants.
2: Core Relationships in the Role.
Clarity; Building positive links; Information access; Meetings with parents; students; possibilities and limitations; Hints from other contexts.
3: Working with Others.
Students; Staff; Parents; Pastoral Team; Class tutors; Motivation; At-risk students; Working as a team of Year Heads/Tutors...
4: The Behaviour Code and the Year Head/Class Tutor.
Clarity of role within code; Linking with others; Dealing with difficulties; Sanctions and awards.
5: Issues of Concern.
Academic & other progress; Assemblies; Year spirit; Referrals; Needs of different year groups; sensitive issues – bereavement, loss, etc.
6: Resources and Planning for the Year Head and Class Tutor.
Towards concrete strategic planning for the Year Head and Tutors in the school context.

Training session Fee: €895 for schools of 450 students or less; €1000 for schools of 451 to 599 students and €1250 for schools with 600 plus students. Price inclusive of Handouts, Training, Preparation, Consultancy. Travel, subsistence added at DES rates.

A two to three hour facilitated session to assist staff review the present reality and crucially put in place an effective series of responses in the areas of discipline, positive behaviour, dealing with challenging students and situations. An approach to behaviour that actually deals with the specific issues of the reality is the only approach that will prove effective.

Training session Fee*: €895 for schools of 450 students or less; €1000 for schools of 451 to 599 students and €1250 for schools with 600plus students.

IAPCE is now providing a new service to schools in this area. Luke Monahan will work individually with schools to review and develop their pastoral approach. His work with hundreds of schools nationally gives him a unique insight into this area of school life. This consultation – normally two to three hours - will usually involve a meeting with key pastoral personnel and management. He will go through a process of review and with these personnel prepare a programme of development.

This in-school workshop provides an opportunity for the Team to practically examine its goals for the coming year to plan effectively to achieve its aims in the areas of communication, discipline, academic performance, wider staff involvement. The workshop works with the specific agenda of the Team and facilitates a clear, manageable and effective implementation plan to emerge. Two to three hour duration.

This workshop is for those involved in specific care roles in the school such as guidance counsellor, chaplain, resource teacher, home-school, year heads etc. Many schools are developing a team from these key people to better co-ordinate the support these key roles provide. The workshop facilitates this team clarify roles and responsibilities, explore communication, practical responses to challenging issues, support for each other, involvement of staff and wider community. The session works with the particular issues of the participants addressing these practically and outlining a concrete plan for the team. Two to three hour duration.

A variety of services are available to Boards as they fulfill their responsibilities – for example, assisting the Board in addressing strategic planning, fund-raising, ethos and pastoral planning and implementation, effective meetings, addressing difficult issues.

The facilitation of sensitive issues arising within and between staff is a very challenging area. The value of an objective and experienced facilitator can be a very important resource in addressing issues that have given rise to conflict in its many forms. We offer an expert service in this area headed by Luke Monahan who has many years experience in this field.

Training session Fee*: €895 for schools of 450 students or less; €1000 for schools of 451 to 599 students and €1250 for schools with 600 plus students.

This session with staff is a very practical overview of the sensitive issues involved around adolescents with bereavement and suicide. This approximately two hour session addressing the understanding of bereavement and how adolescents in particular deal with loss. It looks at practical ways the school can be of support.

The seminar then explores suicide from a prevention, intervention and postvention perspective ensuring the school community is as prepared as possible for this and other tragic incidents.

Session fee*: €895 for schools of 450 students or less; €1000 for schools of 451 to 599 students and €1250 for schools with 600 plus students.

This session with parent councils or larger groups addresses a range of issues informed by the needs of the particular school. In particular the session can address the key concerns in adolescent development and how parents can respond effectively. The session strives to be empowering and practical for parents as they address a range of issues in today’s society. 

Session Fee*: €895

We have developed a WSE preparation service to assist schools effectively and professionally prepare for WSE. All aspects covered in WSE will be explored and a report and action plan devised to assist the school be best placed for an evaluation. Allied to this there is a service which provides an expertise in both formulating key policies such as enrollment, behaviour, Religious Education, pastoral and in supporting the effective implementation of these policies. The support is in the form of assessing the present status, facilitation, drafting texts, action planning, inclusive approaches and effective review.

 Fee: negotiable