The role of specialist schools in learning communities

★ Context setting ★ Must be in context of TRUST ★ Must be focused ★ Must be practical: ★ Data analysis ★ Mentoring ★ Community ★ Student Council

Benefits and Challenges ❖ Key Benefits ❖ Professional Development ❖ Results ❖ Community Integration ❖ Mutual Benefit ❖ Key Challenges ❖ Attitudes ❖ Resources

Examples & meeting the 4 targets The Examples Raising Standards Sharing Learning Tackling Barriers Listening to the student voice Data management Mentoring Community Base Student Council

The Learning Partnership

Key Features of the St Mary’s specialism

Personalised Learning -Mentoring ❖ Structure ❖ 13 Staff with timetable allowance ❖ Year 11/13 pupils 2 sessions per year ❖ Year 12/14 - Underachievers identified and targeted ❖ Peer Mentoring ❖ Results ❖ Jan % pupils gained 90% or better in January module ❖ 90% of pupils ❖ ‘My revision technique has improved’ ❖ ‘I know how to maximize my examination score’

Use of Data in St Mary’s ❖ Pupil Ranking compared between: ❖ Yellis ❖ Key Stage 3 results ❖ Internal assessments.(English, Mathematics and Science-Assessment Manager) ❖ Pupils involved in target-setting/action planning process. ❖ Yellis predicted grades used with residuals to monitor progress

Key Features of the Rainey’s specialism

Using the Data ❖ Structure ❖ 3 Staff with timetable allowance ❖ All staff reduced by 50mins/week ❖ Year 8/11 pupils 3 sessions per year ❖ Year 8 gifted & talented identified ❖ Year 12/14 - Underachievers identified and targetted ❖ Peer Mentoring ❖ Results ❖ Year 8 MidYIS ❖ Tried Year 11 ❖ Using NICCY ❖ Positive Feedback

Using the Data ❖ Year 8 Pupils assessed using MidYIS On-going assessment recorded in SIMS Use of Traffic Light system continually sets feedback and targets derived On-going dialogue with primary schools

Community Links to remove barriers

Removing Barriers ❖ Forces and Energy/Biodiversity-370 primary pupils ❖ Thematic units for The World around Us and Weather ❖ Spanish classes for 120 primary pupils ❖ ICT development for staff

Post-Primary Links ❖ Staff development: ❖ Revised Specification (AS Biology) ❖ Supporting the introduction of new subjects in partner schools ❖ Sharing good practice ❖ ICT –use of ‘Open Mind’ ❖ PE seminars/Revision Courses

Measuring the Impact ❖‘❖‘It is clearly evident that we have benefited from our involvement with St Mary’s and the specialist school initiative. The experience, expertise and funding have been invaluable in developing our children’s knowledge and understanding, improving the ICT skills of staff and helping us to achieve the silver Eco-schools award’ New Row P.S

Post-Primary Links ❖ Additional Subjects ❖ Chemistry ❖ Further Mathematics ❖ GCSE Additional Mathematics ❖ Using Technology ❖ GCSE Law & Irish ❖ Video-conferencing ❖ Maths 4

Student Voice ❖ Encouraged the use of school council ❖ Give pupils a voice ❖ Biggest issues ❖ Toilets ❖ Hairstyles ❖ Recycling ❖ School scarves

The Future ❖ Continued need for focus ❖ Flexible ❖ Open & Honest ❖ Confidential ❖ Challenge and support ❖ Practice of close working relationships