Glenasmole National School was awarded €2,000 as part of the Féilte Bursary Scheme to collaborate with Saint Martin’s National School, Dublin, to introduce zones of regulation in both schools. This project aims to enhance inclusive education by strengthening staff capacity to meet diverse student needs through practical strategies, aligning with the Wellbeing Framework for Practice.
School's reflection
As small rural schools with multigrade classrooms, Glenasmole National School and Brittas National School have benefited greatly from participating in professional learning around the Zones of Regulation. Through online training and follow-up collaboration provided much needed external support and meaningful professional growth.
The online component offered a clear, practical way to access to the Zones framework, equipping us with a structured way to support emotional regulation and wellbeing in the classroom. However, what made the biggest impact was the collaborative element. Visiting our partner school and observing the strategies in action within a real classroom context brought the learning to life. Seeing how another small school adapted the same approach was incredibly helpful and relevant.
This process not only deepened our understanding of the Zones of Regulation, but also strengthened professional relationships across our schools. In smaller settings where staff numbers are limited, creating opportunities like this to share good practice and learn from each other is essential. The experience reaffirmed the importance of professional collaboration and gave us the confidence and tools to embed emotional regulation strategies meaningfully in our daily teaching practice.