Ballymoney National School, Ballineen, Co. Cork, was awarded €2,000 as part of the Féilte Bursary Scheme to collaborate with Kilgarriffe National School, to introduce restorative practice to both schools as well as professional learning in the area of teaching and learning for Autistic pupils. This project aims to increase teachers’ understanding of autism, improving teachers’ ability to implement effective teaching strategies for autistic students, while enhancing communication and collaboration between teachers, students, and their families.
School's reflection
Receiving the €2000 Féilte bursary was a transformative opportunity for our two small schools, enabling us to select complementary topics tailored to our specific needs. As schools that already share a teacher, this initiative strengthened our collaboration, fostering a deeper sense of community among our teachers.
One of the key aspects of our training was the three restorative practice sessions, thoughtfully spread over three months. This pacing allowed us to integrate new approaches gradually, ensuring a meaningful and sustainable shift in our practice. The ASD training was particularly impactful, as it was customized to our schools’ contexts. By providing anonymized case studies of our pupils, we enabled the facilitator, Claire O’Neill, to incorporate practical, directly relevant advice into her workshops.
Beyond the valuable learning experiences, the bursary also facilitated networking opportunities, bringing our schools closer together. It was not just a chance to upskill but to cultivate relationships and exchange ideas that will continue to benefit our staff and students. This initiative has empowered us with knowledge and strategies that will have lasting effects, reinforcing the importance of shared learning and collaboration within small school settings. We are grateful for this invaluable opportunity to learn together.