IPPN

Published: 04 May 2023

When it comes to the administration and implementation of the School Books Grant, schools will differ in how the grant will be managed. Many schools already administer a Book Rental Scheme and will have a stock of textbooks. Advice and guidance is contained in School Books Grant – Guidelines for Primary and Special Schools. You may also wish to consider the following areas as arrangements are made over the next number of weeks.

Booksellers have indicated their willingness to engage with schools to ease the administration load in implementing the scheme.
Once class teachers have drawn up a list of textbooks, workbooks and stationery, discuss with staff how much workbooks contribute to quality teaching and learning. Agree the list for each class. What is the best way for books to be delivered – individual or class packs? Agree what is included in the pack. When communicating with parents, clearly state what the grant covers and equally what is not covered.

When engaging with suppliers, the following questions may prove helpful:

• Will the supplies be delivered to the school?
• Will they be delivered in class or individual pupil packs?
• Will they deliver during the summer?
• Will they invoice in September? One invoice and one payment will reduce the amount of administration and be easier to monitor when checking invoice against supplies.
• Will they keep an account of each class list to facilitate the ordering of books for children who enroll during the year?
• Will they accept returns of books for pupils who may not attend in September?
• Do they provide a book covering service? There may be a fee for this that needs to be factored into the cost.

Remind parents also that books are on loan and have to be returned at the end of the school year.

Published: 27 April 2023

The deadline for new entrants (Junior Infant pupils, pupils that move house or will be attending a new school in 2023/2024 school year) to apply for school transport for the 2023/2024 school year is Friday, 28 April 2023. Eligibility criteria continue to apply. Applications can be made by visiting www.buseireann.ie/schooltransport

Note: The school transport application form for Ukrainian pupils in accommodation centres has now been reviewed. An updated form in Excel spreadsheet format will be in use from Tuesday 25 April. It should be completed as part of the new enrolment of a Ukrainian child that requires school transport into the school. The existing school transport application processes for Ukrainian children staying with host families and International Protection pupils are not changing. If you have any queries on this updated form and associated processes, please contact your local REALT co-ordinator, whose contact details can be found HERE

Click here for Guide for Schools on completion of the School Transport Application Form for Ukrainian Children and Young People in Accommodation Centres

Published: 27 April 2023

Click here for Guide for Schools on completion of the School Transport Application Form for Ukrainian Children and Young People in Accommodation Centres

Published: 27 April 2023

The NCSE is undertaking an evaluation of how frontline services are delivered. These services include the work of SENOs in allocating SNAs, the work of Visiting Teachers, CPD and advice/support NCSE provides. NCSE wants to understand more fully the experiences of schools who have been supported by them. IFF Research is carrying out a survey on behalf of the NCSE, in partnership with the University of Derby and Mary Immaculate College (Limerick).

NCSE are requesting school leaders to provide feedback in an online survey. They have also requested that the survey be shared with school staff. The survey takes approximately 20 minutes to complete. The deadline to submit feedback is Tuesday, 9 May 2023.

Click here to begin the survey

All responses will be treated in the strictest of confidence and go directly to the research team and not to the NCSE. NCSE will receive a report on the overall findings, which will not identify individual responses.