Transcript Activities-of-NABMSE

NABMSE AGM
October 16th 2014
Breda Corr
General Secretary
Consultations and Submissions
 Draft General Scheme – Education (Admission to Schools) Bill 2013
Briefing at Conference 2014 on, submission made in October 2013,
General Secretary appeared at Joint Oireachtas Committee Dec 2013
 Role of SNA - Submission to Joint Oireachtas Committee Nov 2013
 Submission on Digital Strategy for Schools – Jan 2014
This followed the a questionnaire to all schools.
 NABMSE were represented at the NCSE Consultation on the Education of
Pupils with Autism in Feb 2014. There was also opportunity for discussion
on this topic at NCSE Consultative Forum.
 Submission to DES on proposed new model for allocating teaching
resources for students with SEN in mainstream schools
September 2014 submission following a consultation meeting
All submissions are available on the Members Only section www.nabmse.org
Recent Developments
General
 Ongoing review of BOM Constitution
 Primary On line database pilot took place last year and POD be in
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operation in the next year
Reduction in CID requirement for teachers
New Data protection launched www.dataprotectionschools.ie
Schools Procurement Unit in operation under auspices of JMB
Successful Bus Escort Pilot training programme has taken place and been
evaluated independently
Developments on the efficient use of Supplementary Teachers Panel
Recent Developments
 Policy advice on education for pupils with Autism is being developed by
NCSE. The consultation included discussion on time out rooms and
guidance for use. To be published early next year
 Progress on Vetting Act – Circular to issue shortly
 Teaching Council are consulting on their draft strategic plan and also new
Draft Regulations with a proposal to do away with restricted recognition
Developments
NABMSE
 NABMSE membership now stands at 170 – 35% of which are mainstream
schools with units(primary and post primary)
 Renewal of membership is now on line with a number of payment options.
Those members on standing order should complete details on line also
 Conference booking was also available on line for convenience of members
 Website is now being upgraded – suitable for mobile devices. Additional
features will allow twitter updates, feature schools and current issues
Meetings /
Representations - DES
Department of Education and Skills
 Special Education section: motions, Bus Personnel project, status of posts
in special schools and deputy principals issue, new SNA Circular(03/2014)
 Teacher Education section: Board of Management training steering group,
continuous professional development for teachers
 Teacher Allocations and school governance section: Redeployment Panel
reviews and updates, staffing circular, teacher allocation /rollout of
resource hours, New Vetting Act, Review of BOM Constitution
 Teachers and learners section: Data Protection for schools, rollout of
vaccination programme in schools, Emergency Planning information
meeting
Meetings/ representations DES
 Procurement Steering group meetings of Schools Procurement Unit
 External Staff relations: SNA – Implementation of Haddington Road
Agreement, redeployment of SNAs and proposed Job sharing schemes.
This also included hearings at the Labour Relations Commission and Labour
Court.
Meetings/Briefings - other bodies
 Regular meetings with other management bodies on issues of mutual
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interest
NCSE – Updates on allocations, Consultative Forum
Sustainable Energy Ireland – Annual meeting of Education Stakeholders
Briefings
Children's First Bill
Education and the Law
Fitness to Teach
New teacher allocation model for students with SEN in mainstream schools
ISPCC Anti Bullying template
ASIAM website – Autism Spectrum information, advice and meeting point
ERASMUS EU Funding programme
NABMSE Nominees
NABMSE have nominees or representatives on the following bodies:
 NCSE
 NCSE Consultative Forum
 NCCA Council
 NCCA Special Education Steering group
 Progressing Disability programme Local Implementation groups
 Policy Advisory Committee meeting for the MA in Educational Psychology
at Mary Immaculate College
 Primary Management bodies nominees on the Teaching Council are –
Eileen Flynn and Dr. Ken Fennelly
 NABMSE nominate to other working groups as requested
Training for Boards/Schools
 Regional meetings/seminars are planned for 2014/2015
 Please contact the local Diocesan Secretary for information on nationally
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mandated training for BOMs(5 modules)
It is hoped to have an Anti Bullying Training Modules for BOMs in the
current school year
The Data Protection website is important source of information and there
will be an input at the Conference tomorrow
Energy Management Courses available – see Conference bags for details
and special school case study
NABMSE/NCCA Level 2 Learning programmes workshop – on line planning
toolkit – 11th November in Athlone Education Centre.
Motions 2013
This motion calls on NABMSE to examine the implications of the
Education(Admission to Schools)Bill 2013 for BOMs and make necessary
submissions to relevant bodies as a matter of urgency
Submission sent, General Secretary appeared at Joint Oireachtas Committee
in December and NABMSE are monitoring developments
1.
This motion calls on NABMSE to negotiate with the DES for funding for
training for SNAs.
This is ongoing – Initial discussions were held with DES and more work needs
to be done in light of the new Circular. Research has been undertaken by
another agency in the issue of SNA training for their role
2.
Motions 2013
NABMSE calls on NEPS and NCSE to clarify their respective roles and
responsibilities with regard to advising parents and schools on
appropriate placement for pupils with special educational needs.
This was included as an issue in our submission to the Education(Admission to
Schools) Bill 2013. A guideline for health sector reports to the NCSE in relation
to placement of children with additional educational needs was issued to
Health Sector in March 2014 and assists in clarifying this role
3.
4. This motion calls on NABMSE to highlight with the appropriate agencies
the need for clear guidelines for BOMs with regard to making application for
and maintaining support service provision for all children with Sen in our
schools with specific reference to Progressing Disabilities programme
Motions 2013
Sent correspondence to Caroline Cantan, National Co-ordinator and received reply
explaining that a working group has developed a draft national policy which is being
tested. It is aimed to have clear guidance before Summer 2014
NABMSE should as a matter of urgency the referral process for clinical supports
for students with a mild general learning disability under Progressing Disability
Services for Children and Young People
Sent correspondence to Caroline Cantan, National Co-ordinator and received reply.
This stated that access to services will be provided according to a child’s needs rather
than disability category. Access to services for children with mild GLD would be as for
all children at a level most appropriate to their needs
5.
Motions 2013
6. NABMSE calls on the DEs to recognise that in the area of special education,
specialist training may be required on occasion and that they facilitate BOMs
to approve attendance at such courses through provision of substitution
cover and fees
Initial discussions were held with DES in conjunction with motion 2(SNA
Training). NABMSE have been told by DES that there is no budget for
specialist training except through SESS. Ongoing issue
7. NABMSE calls on the DES to provide for the establishment of a new type
of Special School with rules and organisation structures appropriate to
the profile and age of students as recommended by the NCSE as
recommended by NCSE in their Policy Advice paper 4.
This motion is being investigated in conjunction with motion 2 and 7 – 2012.
The project is broken down into three phases and research has been
commissioned for phase one.
Any questions?
 Please feel free to ask for clarification on any issues
mentioned