The Education and Training Inspectorate (ETI) was commissioned by the Department of Education as part of the Continuity of Learning Programme to provide guidance on effective ways in which the curriculum could be tailored (planned for, implemented and assessed) across the range of areas of learning and subject areas for a phased return for children to full-time education.

As well visiting the home economics department, where Year 9 pupils were making a delicious dinner of homemade beef burgers with salad and coleslaw, Barry spoke with Principal Neil Megaw.

Reece Murphy, a P7 pupil at Strabane Primary School writes about this year’s prize giving ceremony at his school.

CSSC wishes to acknowledge the hard work, dedication and commitment of the teaching community within controlled schools. Thank you to the Principals that have shared their thoughts on teaching in lockdown with us.

The new education advocacy body for controlled schools was officially launched on Wednesday 8 March at its inaugural AGM, at which it also elected its Directors.  

Augher Central Primary School said farewell to their Primary 7 class of 2020 with a creative message to inspire pupils as they headed off to begin the next chapter in their educational journey.

Grange Park Primary School were very fortunate that they had previously established online learning practices. Teachers were proficient, having had systems in place for many years. This developed further as the school explored even more ways of keeping in touch during lockdown.

The Controlled Schools’ Support Council (CSSC) welcomes the appointment of an Expert Panel to examine the links between educational underachievement and social disadvantage and looks forward to engaging with the Panel and will assist this important work in any way we can.

Nurture approaches emphasise the importance of understanding what lies behind a child’s behaviour and, in assessing the child’s learning needs, the importance of understanding their social and emotional needs. 

As a brand new organisation, one of the first priorities for the Controlled Schools’ Support Council was to develop a logo.  Key Stage 4 and Key Stage 5 students from member schools were invited to design a logo to be used by the Council.