Education Minister marks the start of site work on a new £20.7m school for Parkhall Integrated College in Antrim

Education Minister John O’Dowd has joined teachers and pupils at Parkhall Integrated College in Antrim to celebrate the beginning of site works on a £20.7m new school build project.

The project, funded through the Department of Education’s Capital build programme, will see pupils being educated in a new purpose built two storey school on a single site at Steeple Road.  The completed work will also include two football and one rugby pitch on the site of the existing Parkhall (Steeple Road site) school, as well as a new synthetic pitch and five new tennis courts

Minister O’Dowd met with teachers and pupils before joining them on site to cut the first sod.  Speaking during his visit, Minister O’Dowd said:

    “I am delighted to be at Parkhall Integrated College on what is a very exciting day for all of its pupils and staff.  This significant £20.7m investment will allow the College to move from its current spilt site arrangement to a brand new purpose built school that will welcome pupils through its doors from September 2017.

    This is a significant investment and one which will not only bring benefits to the school and its pupils, but will be a boost to the local community and businesses.  I commend the partnership working already evident between Parkhall, the Education Authority and the contractor and I wish you well in taking the project forward.”

Welcoming Minister O'Dowd to Parkhall, Principal George Beattie said:

      "I am very happy to welcome the Minister today to join with us in celebrating the beginning of our new school build and to thank him and his Department for this considerable investment. This fantastic state of the art facility is another step forwards towards realising our vision of providing high quality education for all the young people within the Borough of Antrim and beyond, irrespective of ability, race, religion or social background.

    I wish to pay tribute to the large number of people who have supported this project, to the staff, both teaching and support, who have operated so successfully on a split site over the past ten years and to the parents and pupils who have continued to support the College throughout this period.  We look forward with great enthusiasm to beginning a new chapter of the future of the school  from September 2017!"

Contractor O’Hare and McGovern has been appointed to carry out the work, which is expected to be completed by 2018.
Notes to editors:

    The new build for Parkhall was announced in your capital announcement to the Assembly in Janauary 2013.   The business case was approved by DFP for £20.7m in May 2014.
    Parkhall Integrated College is a controlled integrated school covering Years 8 -12.  The new school is being constructed for 735 pupils.
    The Department of Education’s ‘Education Works’ campaign promotes the value of education. This year’s campaign aims to ensure that parents have information on schooling and that they are aware of the steps they can take to ‘Get Involved’ and support their teenager in achieving good outcomes at school. Watch out for the ads on television, radio and outdoor locations. The campaign highlights the vital role families can play in helping children do well at school and improve their life chances. Visit nidirect/education-works(external link opens in a new window / tab) for more information or watch the TV ad on the Department’s YouTube channel(external link opens in a new window / tab).
    See photos from the Department of Education in our collection on Flickr(external link opens in a new window / tab)
    Media enquiries to the Department of Education Press Office Tel: 028 9127 9207. Out of office hours, contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 076 99 715 440, and your call will be returned.
Collect by: http://tinyurl.com/zu3ag7h

Former Lisnaskea school site will be used to benefit all the community - O'Dowd

Education Minister John O’Dowd has confirmed the site of the former Lisnaskea High School will be used to meet the needs of a local school and the wider community.

Minister O’Dowd has agreed to release a portion of the site to accommodate Bunscoil an Traonaigh. A local community group, South East Fermanagh Foundation had also expressed an interest and will now have the opportunity to acquire the remainder of the site.

Minister O’Dowd said:

    “My decision to split the use of this site allows the whole community to benefit. The current premises occupied by Bunscoil an Traonaigh is not suitable for the permanent location of the school and this new site at the former Lisnaksea High School will allow the school to grow and develop.

    “I am also pleased to be able to meet the needs of South East Fermanagh Foundation. This is a community group that has long served the people of Lisnaskea and I look forward to seeing their plans for the site take shape.”

Notes to editors:

1. The Department of Education’s ‘Education Works’ campaign promotes the value of education. This year’s campaign aims to ensure that parents have information on schooling and that they are aware of the steps they can take to ‘Get Involved’ and support their teenager in achieving good outcomes at school. Watch out for the ads on television, radio and outdoor locations. The campaign highlights the vital role families can play in helping children do well at school and improve their life chances. Visit nidirect - Education Works(external link opens in a new window / tab) for more information or watch the TV ad on the Department’s YouTube channel(external link opens in a new window / tab).

2. See photos from the Department of Education in our Flickr collection(external link opens in a new window / tab).

3. Media enquiries to the Department of Education Press Office Tel: 028 9127 9207. Out of office hours, contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 076 99 715 440, and your call will be returned.
Collect by: http://tinyurl.com/jgosmg8

Education provision for young people in custody will transfer to Education Authority

Justice Minister David Ford and Education Minister John O’Dowd have agreed education provision for young people detained in custody, will transfer to the Education Authority from May 2016.


Following on from an extensive joint work programme by their Departments, these new arrangements will see the education centre within Woodlands Juvenile Justice Centre in Bangor becoming an Education Authority operated EOTAS (Education Other Than At School) setting; a move which will significantly enhance the education opportunities for young people in custody.

The Ministers have agreed that a full transfer should be completed by May 2016 to tie in with the timescale for the Executive’s programme to restructure the NI Departments.  Ahead of this, the Classroom 2000 (C2K) network has been extended to Woodlands.

Commenting on the transfer of responsibility, Justice Minister David Ford said:

    “The formal recognition of the education centre within Woodlands as an EOTAS centre will ensure that young people in custody receive educational provision to the same standards, under the same legal basis, as any other young person being taught outside of a mainstream school.

    “Access to the C2K network is early, tangible evidence of the commitment of the two Departments to this work.  Improving the educational outcomes for these young people can only improve their future employment prospects and, ultimately, help to reduce the likelihood of re-offending.”

Education Minister John O’Dowd added:

    “I believe that this transfer is the correct approach to meeting the long-term educational needs of young people in custody. While education within Woodlands is already of a high standard, it is important that these young people can access the NI curriculum in the same way and to the same standards as their peers.

    “This change will take a little while to fully achieve and so I am pleased that we have been able to provide immediate access for Woodlands to the C2K network and all the teaching resources it provides.”
Collect by: http://tinyurl.com/zsqll9a

EVENING LANGUAGE ARTS TEACHER

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Instruction and Support for Adult Learners

    Teach 2 classes per evening on Tuesday and Thursday evenings of adult literacy, basic education, secondary, and/or post-secondary level classes required for a successful transition into the workforce or postsecondary education. Language Arts Adjuncts teach reading/social studies and writing classes.
    Implement lesson plans in a manner consistent with Academy of Hope curriculum and that ensures the attainment of learning outcomes for the course;
    Provide ongoing assessment of individual adult learner progress and adapt curriculum and lesson plans according to the needs of the learners;
    Provide direction to volunteer instructors serving as co-teachers, teaching assistants or providing tutoring (one-on-one or in small groups) to adult learners in your classes;
    Engage in effective and appropriate classroom management;
    Coordinate with Student Support Services and Program Managers to ensure adult learners get both the academic and social services they need to be successful in school and in their transition to college or career. Participate in regular meetings with Student Support Services and/or Program Management for this purpose;
    Provide office hours on a regular basis and/or as needed to support individual learner progress.

Program Administration and Data Collection

    Provide accurate and timely collection and entry of student attendance, class progress and disciplinary actions, if needed;
    Coordinate with Evening Program Manager in collecting and recording student progress and achievement data, as well as other data that may be required.

Professional Development

    Commit to ongoing professional development in adult literacy/education.

QUALIFICATIONS:

    Bachelor's degree and secondary or adult education experience required.
    Experience with Common Core and/or College and Career Readiness Standards for Adults.
    Strong content knowledge related to GED Reasoning through Language Arts and Social Studies.
    Strong cultural competency skills required, including excellent ability to communicate with a diverse population.
    Excellent oral and written communication skills and strong computer skills.
    Excellent time management and organizational skills
    Experience working with adult learners with special needs a plus.

Familiarity with CASAS a plus.
Collect by: http://tinyurl.com/zd4sx33

MA in Development Studies by Flexible & Distance Learning

The Post Graduate Diploma / MA Degree  in Development Studies by flexible and distance learning (FDL) offers learners the opportunity to combine work and study anywhere in the world, while still connecting online with a diverse and vibrant learning community. Learners can undertake the MA completely online or they can combine the best of distance and e-learning with classroom participation – it is tailored to the needs of learners who like to study in their own time and at their own pace, but still want to have the option of drawing on the benefits of face to face, participatory and experience-based interaction with other participants and tutors.

It is a less costly option than a face to face programme, especially for learners living outside of Dublin or Ireland, as travel and living expenses are minimised, and because you can continue to work where you are based. Despite geographical distance, by participating in online discussions and other networked activities, learners are still part of a community of learners at Kimmage.

Participants successfully completing the programme will be awarded an internationally recognised MA in Development Studies, validated by Qualification and Quality Ireland (formerly HETAC).

This programme is aimed at advanced level participants who hold a primary degree or equivalent qualifications and who have experience of working in a development context. Particularly welcome are leaders, facilitators and managers of community development projects, government and development agency staff, people involved in pastoral ministry, researchers, development educators, volunteers and activists. Some places are also retained for recent graduates who wish to study further before embarking on a career in development work.

MA learners who combine online and classroom based learning can specialise within the programme by choosing from a number of elective areas that are most suited to their area of interest. These ‘specialist pathways’ include ‘Globalisation and Change’; ‘People Centred Development’ and ‘Development and Management’. Note that this course is also available through the Full-Time Study and Part-Time Learning options.

What this Programme is About

The programme is designed to prepare participants for work in development in a community, local government, youth/adult education, or NGO setting. It offers learners an opportunity to explore contemporary theories of social change and development and to analyse development policies and practices. It builds skills, especially in relation to research, leadership and working with groups and in the planning, management and evaluation of development projects

The programme aims to give participants the opportunity to develop:

    a critical awareness of social, economic and management issues underlying socio economic change
    conceptual and analytical skills critical to understanding and engaging with contemporary debates relating to development, including contrasting arguments and understandings of development processes
    the ability to apply such knowledge to policy analysis and practical problem solving
    a set of operational skills pertinent to working in the public, private, faith-based and NGO domains, especially in relation to leadership, motivation and working with groups and in the planning, management and evaluation of development projects
    understanding of research processes appropriate to different development contexts and issues, and the ability to undertake effective primary research in the development field
    new friendships and contacts with a dynamic and diverse group of committed people
Collect by: http://tinyurl.com/gt9yft2

Register now for winter-session adult education classes in Franklin

Registration is now open for winter-session classes at The Center for Adult Education and Community Learning in Franklin. Participation is open to individuals and businesses in Franklin and surrounding towns. Course offerings include yoga, Zumba, community walking, jazz dance, country line dancing, and men’s basketball. Participants can also take such courses as beginner ceramics, digital photography, conversational Italian, and healthful Indian cooking. Many classes are scheduled to begin in January. The full winter session class brochure is available online at www.FranklinLifelongLearning.com under the Adult Education link. For more information, including registration options, visit the website or call the center at 508-613-1480.
Collect by: http://tinyurl.com/hl2j5pc

2016 National Education Technology Plan Released

On December 10, 2015 the U.S. Department of Education announced the release of the 2016 National Education Technology Plan and new Future Ready commitments to support personalized professional learning for district leaders and educators working to improve teaching and student learning through the effective use of technology. As educators, advocates, parents, and policymakers, we must work to ensure equity of access to transformational learning experiences enabled by technology and personalized professional learning opportunities for educators and district leaders. The 2016 National Education Technology Plan, Future Ready Learning: Reimagining the Role of Technology in Education, articulates a vision of equity, active use, and collaborative leadership to make everywhere, all-the-time learning possible.

The plan recognizes the role that informal learning spaces play in closing the digital use divide and achieving equity, including spaces such as libraries, maker spaces, museums, clubs, workplaces, adult education programs, national parks, and online learning environments such as games, simulations, and educational apps.

OCTAE celebrates the 2016 Plan and the added energy it brings to our ongoing priorities, including:

    The LINCS Learner Center, making high-quality learning opportunities available on demand for adult earners
    The LINCS website and community of practice, making learning opportunities available for youth and adult educators, and supporting digital literacy in adult education programming
    The Reach Higher Career App Challenge, promoting the development of mobile solutions that will help students navigate education and career pathways
    The EdSim Challenge, pursuing the next generation of immersive educational 3D simulations
    The CTE Makerschool Challenge, broadening the reach of makerspaces through career and technical education
Collect by: http://tinyurl.com/hexjnvt