This section contains information on supports and resources for school leadership in leading curriculum enactment.
Curriculum and Assessment Policy Unit: Policy information, link here.
School Self Evaluation (SSE): SSE advisory visits may be requested by emailing sse@education.gov.ie. During an advisory visit, an inspector will meet with you and talk to members of staff about the SSE work undertaken to date and ways to develop the work. Email: sse@education.gov.ie
Looking at our School 2022 (LAOS 2022): Looking at Our School 2022: A Quality Framework for Primary Schools and Special Schools is a framework that provides a shared understanding of what effective and highly effective learning, teaching, leadership and management practices look like in the Irish school system. Published in August 2022, updated in January 2024. Link here.
Looking at Series (Curricular Areas): The Looking at series is designed to help primary schools and/or individual teachers bring about improvement in the learning and teaching of each curricular area. Published in 2023. Link here.
School Self Evaluation: Next Steps September 2022 – June 2026: This document includes Department of Education Circular 0056/2022 and sets out what is required of schools in relation to school self-evaluation during the September 2022 to June 2026 period. Published in August 2022. Link here.
School Self Evaluation Resources: This site provides a number of SSE resources for school leaders. Link here.
School Self Evaluation Six Step Process: This site provides information about the SSE 6 Step Process with a number of links to further resources. Link here.
The Primary Curriculum Framework: The Primary Curriculum Framework forms the basis for high-quality learning, teaching and assessment for all children attending primary and special schools. The framework sets out the vision; principles; key competencies; structure, approaches to learning, teaching and assessment; and suggested time allocations in the curriculum. Published in March 2023, link here.
Curriculum Online: A direct link to curriculumonline.ie This will provide direct access to the online curriculum documents, support materials and the curriculum planning tool for primary and special schools.
The Redeveloped Primary School Curriculum in Ireland – Charting the Redevelopment Process: This report by Dr Thomas Walsh, Maynooth University, available on ncca.ie, delineates and documents the process undertaken by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) in redeveloping the primary school curriculum up to the point of finalising the specifications for the five curriculum areas. Link here.
Primary Curriculum Framework Information Note: This note provides a brief overview of the development process of the Primary Curriculum Framework, the key messages that underpin it, the components of a redeveloped Primary School Curriculum, and ongoing developments. Published in March 2023, link here.
Primary Curriculum FAQ: This frequently asked questions (FAQ) document has been developed in response to initial queries and questions received by NCCA. It will be regularly reviewed and updated in response to further questions received. Link here.
Supporting Systemwide Primary Curriculum Change: This document is intended to support collective and collaborative decision-making and action as all stakeholders in the primary sector work together to support and guide curriculum change. Published in December 2022. Link here.
Preparation for Teaching and Learning – Guidance for All Primary and Special Schools: The Guidance aims to support all teachers and school leaders by providing a renewed understanding of how planning and preparation for teaching and learning is demonstrated in the classroom. Published in May 2021, revised September 2023. Link here.
FAQ Preparation for Teaching and Learning: This frequently asked questions (FAQ) document has been developed in response to queries and questions received by NCCA. Link here.
NCCA Podcasts: The NCCA is publishing Podcasts speaking to teachers, principals, researchers and other stakeholders, considering broad perspectives to build consensus on matters relating to learning, teaching and assessment in schools. Link here.
School Support for Special Schools (Curriculum): Special schools may apply to NCSE for curriculum support, in relation to the following areas: Primary Language Curriculum (2019); Preparation for Teaching and Learning – Guidance for all Primary and Special Schools (2021); Primary Curriculum Framework (2023); Additional Support. Special schools may apply for curriculum support for whole staff, group and individual teachers through the NCSE School Portal. Link here.
Primary Curriculum Framework Professional Learning Experiences (PLEs): Each school will have two school closure days in 2025-26 facilitated by an NCSE Advisor to support the school’s enactment of the PCF. Further details to be announced.
Primary Curriculum Framework Curricular Change Webinars: NCSE will provide an online webinar and a series of clinics to support school leaders in leading curricular change in their schools. Further details to be announced.
Information Video on the Redeveloped Primary School Curriculum: Here is an interagency video developed to support your school as you begin engaging with the redeveloped primary school curriculum. The video features insights from the Chief Inspector of the Department of Education and Youth, the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment, the National Council for Special Education and Oide. Link here.
School Support: The application process for in-school support for the 2025–2026 school year will open at the beginning of the new academic year. This later opening date will provide you/your staff with additional time to consider and determine the areas of support you wish to request.
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us at primarysupport@oide.ie
Primary Curriculum Framework Professional Learning Experiences (PLEs): Each school will have two school closure days in 2025-26 facilitated by an Oide PLL to support the school’s enactment of the PCF. Further details to be announced.
Primary Curriculum Framework Curricular Change Webinars: Oide will provide an online webinar and a series of clinics to support school leaders in leading curricular change in their schools. Further details to be announced.
Coaching: Oide Leadership Coaching is a confidential, one to one personal service, which is a particularly powerful tool and one that has proven to be a highly effective way of developing individual and organisational performance by unlocking potential and capability. Link here.