Eglish National School
Eglish, Ahascragh, Ballinasloe, Co. Galway
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EUROPEAN DEVELOPMENT PLAN
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School Profile
Eglish N.S. is a co-educational primary school located in a rural setting approximately 3km from the village of Ahascragh in Co. Galway. The school dates from 1899.There are 40 students enrolled in the school taught by 3 Mainstream Teachers, 2 Resource Teachers and 1 Learning Support Teacher.2 SNAsare employed in Eglish NS.There is a high incidence of pupils with learning difficulties and Special Education Needs in the school.A significant number of the students in Eglish NS come from the Travelling Community (approximately 50%) all of whom would not have been in a Pre-School setting prior to coming to Primary School.
Although presently, we have students of only a few different cultures enrolled in our school
intercultural education is valued with diversity being recognised, valued and embraced.We are very mindful that we are preparing our students to be citizens of a multi-cultural society. There is also diversity as regards socio-economic backgrounds and special needs.
School Ethos and Mission Statement of Eglish National School
Eglish NS is a Catholic School in which children from all backgrounds are welcome and taught inclusively.“Each child, regardless of ability, shall be enabled to achieve his/her fullest potential, at his/her own rate. The school shall provide a safe, friendly and hospitable atmosphere in which pupils will be encouraged to develop all of their talents and become confident, capable adults, well-prepared to meet the challenge of a rapidly changing society”.
Due regard shall be given to social as well as academic development.We hope to promote awareness of our cultural heritage and to contribute to the life of the community.
European Context
Eglish NS was involved in a Comenius Schools’ Partnership Programme from 2011-2013 during which collaborative projects were carried out with schools in Spain and Italy.In 2013 and 2014, we were awarded the ‘Blue Star’ European flag for fostering a greater awareness of the EU amongst our students.In 2013-14, our school hosted a Comenius Assistant from Normandy, France.The students of the Senior Room study French for approximately 30 mins a week.Currently, we have been successful in our Erasmus + applications, KA1 – Staff Training (2 year) and KA2 – School Partnerships (3 years).We will be working together with schools in 7 other EU countries on the topic of ‘Invaders’.
We take every opportunity to celebrate diversity in our school and the best way to promote intercultural education and active European citizenship is to provide opportunities for promoting inclusion, friendship and equality.
Activities Undertaken to Date
Eglish has in the past few years:
Current Needs & Plans to Address Them
Following a needs analysis, Eglish has identified the following needs and
programmes to meet those needs and challenges:
School Guidelines for Mobility for Training & School Partnership
teacher as co-ordinator to facilitate the mobility programme on behalf of the
school.Participation in mobility will be offered to all staff. The selection of those for the various mobilities will be carefully chosen to ensure the involvement of (i) a range of experience in teaching careers, (ii) a mixture of class teachers and special education teachers (iii) gender equality (iv) middle or/and senior management personnel is represented.The co-ordinator or legal representative will take part in each mobility.
Ireland to help the experiencing of European cultures
We believe that the needs identified in this European Development Plan can best be addressed through the Erasmus+ programme and that the benefits will be lifelong and rewarding.
We believe that the needs identified in this European Development Plan can best be
addressed through the Erasmus+ programme and that the benefits will be lifelong and
rewarding.
April 2015.