Self- Evaluation for Schools

Six subject departments across three of Co. Louth VEC’s post-primary schools arecurrently engaging in a self-evaluation process. Each department is facilitated to examinethe work of the department, identify best practice and to explore how teaching andlearning can be further improved. At the start of the process teachers completed a self-evaluation questionnaire in relation to their own teaching and made recommendationsfor the further professional development of the department.

A tailor made package oftraining and support is being delivered to each department over the current academic year. Teachers are being facilitated to engage in professional dialogue as a department and are being encouraged to implement improvements in the classroom. Several themes are being explored by the various departments including active teaching and learning methodologies, assessment for learning approaches, promotion of subjects inschools and integrating ICT into teaching and learning. The feedback from the teachers involved has been very positive. The process is being facilitated by Fiona Kindlon (PDA CLVEC), Shivaun O’Brien (EDO) and Della Meade (PDST Associate Trainer). The six departments involved in the self-evaluation process are listed below:

O'Fiaich College, Dundalk: 8 teachers from the Gaeilge and Modern Languages Departments.
Scoil Ui Mhuiri, Dunleer: 9 teachers from the Technology Subjects and Modern Languages Departments.
St. Oliver's Community College, Drogheda: 9 teachers from the Geography and Home Economics Departments.