Programmes for Primary and Post Primary Schools 2022-23

Kilkenny Education Centre is actively involved in a variety of national and local programmes for Primary and Post Primary schools in our Centre's catchment area. Details about these various projects and programmes can be found on our website.

AsIAm, Ireland’s National Autism Charity, is opening applications to new schools to join their Autism Friendly Schools Project. This academic year, 2022-23, will be the fourth year of this exciting project, which will investigate ways in which we can further refine what it truly means to be ‘Autism Friendly’ in Primary and Post Primary schools across Ireland. The project will reaffirm good practice and support those wishing to foster a culture of inclusion of autistic students in their schools.

Heritage Keepers is a free programme for Primary schools, youth groups or communities that will enable them to work together to explore the built, natural, and cultural heritage of their local place and then plan an action or actions to enhance their place. In-person, online and blended learning options are available. Last year, 20 schools and communities took part in the programme, with most going on to complete a local project or actions. These funded actions included pond building, local heritage trails, signage for biodiversity, oral history projects and local heritage booklets. The expanded Heritage Keepers programme is now looking for ‘Expressions of Interest’ from schools, youth groups and community groups who wish to take part in the five two-hour workshops in Spring 2023. 

The Choose Safety Programme is designed to prepare young people for the world of work and work experience. Transition Year and Senior Cycle students can explore core principles of health and safety as they may apply in their current or future places of work. Choose Safety can be taught as a structured 20 hour programme or teachers may select units from the Programme to cover specific topics as desired and/or integrate them into other subjects in the classroom. Choose Safety will be of interest to teachers involved in a whole range of subjects including Science, Agricultural Science, Business or subjects of a more practical base. The Programme is available in English and as Gaeilge. All resources for this Programme are available to all Post Primary schools, Colleges of Further Education, PLC's and Youthreach centres, free of charge.

The Energy in Education programme offers a range of supports developed by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI), in partnership with the Department of Education and Skills, designed to help schools to improve energy management practices, reduce school operating costs and protect the environment. More than 600 schools from all over Ireland have already taken part in energy management courses. Participants are guided step-by-step through the energy management process, from understanding bills and energy use in the school, to developing and implementing an energy saving plan. The course involves attending two half-day workshops where schools are given access to a range of resources, online tools, expert advice and opportunities to network and share knowledge and experiences with other schools. The school can nominate any representative to attend e.g. member of staff or a member of the Board of Management. Schools that attend courses may (depending on energy spend) be eligible for an Advice, Mentoring and Assessment (AMA) service. As part of this service, an energy advisor will assist the school in identifying energy saving opportunities (detailed in a report) and provide three months mentoring. To register, schools should complete the Application Form. Please ensure to reference the course series you wish to attend - each series consists of three workshops.