Developing Principals and Deputy Principals as instructional leaders in Post-Primary Schools

The aims of the programme were to: • Develop an understanding of effective teaching and learning and how National and European policy defines it and enacts it. • Develop a deep understanding of...

The aims of the programme were to: • Develop an understanding of effective teaching and learning and how National and European policy defines it and enacts it. • Develop a deep understanding of what instructional leadership is, why it is important and what it looks like. • Understand how to foster a culture of highly effective teaching and learning practices in their school. • Support seniors leaders in embedding highly effective teaching and learning practices in their schools by developing their skills to lead teaching and learning. • Develop and share resources to support principals and deputy principals as instructional leaders. • Develop a deep understanding of reflective practice and the skills to engage in reflective practice. • Support the participants in developing a deep understanding of educational change and the skills to lead and manage instructional change.

In order to ensure the successful implementation of the project the procedures were agreed and established by partners under distinct heading. Cooperation Arrangements: At the outset of the project, a timeline and budget was agreed by all partners. A number of project management processes and tools were established to enable greater collaboration and cooperation with both partners. A Microsoft Teams was established to communicate, share content and resources between partners The ILP administrator acted as liaison between all partners to upload minutes of meetings and programme updates, schedule online meetings and organise site visits. A Padlet was developed to share resources with the participants of the programme Partner contributions: All partners engaged in the following project management and monitoring activities: Developing the programme content and resources Preparing, planning, organising and hosting the site visits to Ireland and Slovenia (Ireland 28th January– 1st February 2024 and Slovenia 4th May – 8th May 2024) Piloting the programme in both countries. The programme was implemented over three sessions Disseminating project findings at local and national level Engaging in ongoing evaluation of the project

This project has resulted in the following outputs: 1.The key output of this project is a programme has been designed and piloted to support principals and deputy principals as instructional leaders for the Irish and Slovenian context. 2.The resources- developed include: Draft programme content (including a module on leading instructional change), and resources and tools to provide participants with the relevant knowledge and skills in leading teaching and learning. (Once these have been reviewed and revised, the final versions will be shared between partners). A reflective diary and reflective tools for participants. Action Planning templates to support them with the implementation of the programme at school level A Padlet, for easily access to developed resources. Participants in both countries have been using these tools in their own schools to support them with school improvement. A WhatsApp group has been set up to facilitate collaborative learning 3. 48 participants (comprising of school teams) have completed the pilot programme between Ireland and Slovenia. 4. Data has been collected on the experiences of school leaders in Ireland and Slovenia and is being analysed.