The decision to establish a Centre for School Leadership in September 2014 on a partnership basis between IPPN/NAPD and the DE represented a new departure and presented a unique opportunity for the development of a coherent continuum of professional development for school leaders. It was the shared objective that the Centre would become a centre of excellence for school leadership. The CSL’s responsibility now extends across the continuum of leadership development commencing with pre appointment training through to induction of newly appointed principals to continuous professional development throughout the leader’s career. The Centre also advises the DE on policy in this area.
The CSL will:
- Lead, support and advise on a strategic framework for a continuum of leadership development for schools
- Support, lead and coordinate professional leadership programmes for primary and post primary schools.
- Lead and manage a programme of mentoring for principals and a coaching service for serving principals
- Support the design, development and delivery of quality continuous professional learning for leaders utilising innovative approaches with a proven record of success.
- Foster a culture of engagement with professional learning among school leaders.
- Ensure cohesion and consistency across programmes.
- Ensure adherence with DE standards for school leadership.
- Devise a Model of Professional Learning for leaders' learning, and align it with Cosán, the national framework for teachers' learning.
- Develop an Endorsement process and invite providers of professional learning in the area of school leadership to apply for endorsement
- Work collaboratively with IPPN, NAPD, the DE and its support services, networks and other education partners and providers as appropriate.
The vision, mission and value statements have been developed by the team following consultation with stakeholder groups and practitioners throughout the year.
Vision: Our vision is a community of school leaders, who feel supported and valued as professionals and who have access to high quality continuous professional development.
Mission: To bring our vision into reality CSL will ensure the provision of high quality professional development opportunities for aspiring and serving school leaders, thus improving the learning outcomes for school communities
Values: The Centre for school leadership’s work will be guided and informed by the values of trust, respect, collaboration, integrity, professionalism, empathy and openness.
A Steering Group (SG) which is representative of all the partners IPPN, NAPD and DE sets priorities, provides direction, support for the Centre and its Director. The role of the SG is to oversee the work of the Centre for School Leadership in the development of a coherent continuum of professional learning for school leaders commencing with pre appointment training through to induction of newly appointed principals to continuous professional development throughout the leader’s career.
The responsibilities of the Steering Group include:
- Setting priorities and providing direction and support for the Centre and its Director.
- Approving the budget for the Centre’s programme of work annually.
- Administrative support for the SG is provided by Clare Education Centre.
National Associate of Principals and Deputy Principals
Irish Primary Principals Network
Association of Community and Comprehensive Schools
Education and Training Boards Ireland
Catholic Primary School Management Association
National Academy for Educational Leadership
National Council for Curriculum and Assessment
Education Support Centres Ireland
Irish National Teachers’ Organisation
National Association of Management Boards of Special Schools
