Resources for parents and students at post-primary school
- Introduction
- The curriculum in schools
- Safety and welfare
- Parent and student advocacy
- Languages in school
Introduction
You may find the websites and list of organisations on this page helpful if your child is starting secondary-level education for the first time.
The resources may also be useful if you are moving to Ireland or returning to Ireland soon and are looking for information on the post-primary or secondary-level education system in Ireland.
The curriculum in schools
Curriculum online
The website of the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment has information on the curriculum and subjects up to Senior Cycle.
You can find useful resources and news about what is happening in education, including new subjects, subjects under review and changes to the Junior and Senior cycle.
You should contact a school directly to find out about the subjects they offer students.
Scoilnet
Scoilnet is the official education portal of the Department of Education. It provides information and advice to students, teachers and parents.
Scoilnet has resources on a wide range of school subjects evaluated by subject matter experts so they are relevant to the curricula.
Home Education Network
If you choose to teach your child at home, the Home Education Network (HEN) may be a good source of information. It is a support and lobby group for home educators in Ireland. It aims to help parents use available resources to develop educational techniques suitable for each child’s needs.
The network provides a forum for members to exchange ideas and experience through regular meetings and newsletters. Its website has links to research and online information about home education. HEN also has a library service of books on home education for members.
Safety and welfare
Spunout.ie
Spunout.ie is Ireland’s youth information website. It provides information and support for young people on education, employment, health, and life events.
Its articles on education include advice on moving from school to college, everything you need to know about CAO offers and how to handle exam stress. It also has a chat service for questions about CAO offers.
Webwise
Webwise.ie provides advice and resources for parents and teachers on internet safety.
Parents can access expert advice and information on the latest apps and social networks. It has a how-to guide on setting up parental controls on its parents’ hub.
It has a range of secondary-level teaching resources to address cyberbullying, non-consensual image-sharing, social media and developing digital citizenship skills on its teachers hub.
You can find more information on bullying in schools.
Parent and student advocacy
National Parents Council Post Primary
The National Parents Council - Post Primary (NPCpp) is a nationwide organisation that represents the interests of parents with children in secondary education.
The NPCpp aims to:
- Involve parents in all aspects of their children’s education
- Provide a voice for parents in the development of parent groups
- Take a role in influencing national policy on education
The NPCpp also works as an umbrella organisation for parents associations in secondary schools. It aims to have an effective parents association in place in every school.
Irish Second-Level Students Union
The Irish Second-Level Students Union (ISSU) is the national representative body for school student councils.
It aims to:
- Represent and connect second-level students throughout Ireland
- Empower students through training, guidance and advice to become actively involved in decision-making in their school communities
- Work with other organisations to bring the views of second-level school students on educational issues to the attention of policy-makers and the media
- Strive for innovation and democracy within the education system.
The Teaching Council
The Teaching Council promotes and regulates professional standards in teaching in Ireland.
The Teaching Council produces a code of professional conduct for teachers which includes standards of teaching, knowledge, skill and competence.
Languages in school
Generally, children are required to study Irish in school. Some children may be exempted from learning Irish in school.
Gaeloideachas
Gaeloideachas is the main co-ordinating body for education through Irish for pre-school, primary and secondary schools. It aims to advance the use of Irish as the language of instruction at all levels in schools around the country.
Gaeloideachas provides support to parents who want their children educated through Irish, and to local committees who want to establish all-Irish schools in their own locality. It provides information in multiple languages on reasons to choose a Gaelcholaiste (secondary school).
Foras na Gaeilge
Foras na Gaeilge promotes and advises on the Irish language throughout the island of Ireland.
Foras na Gaeilge provides teaching resources to Irish teachers who want to update their skills. It provides a list of Irish language lead organisations.
Languages connect
LanguagesConnect.ie is a resource for schools and students that helps to spread awareness of the benefits of language learning. It is part of Ireland’s Strategy for Foreign Languages in Education 2017-2026. The website has separate sections for students and teachers, parents, and businesses.
English as a second language
The Department of Education provides additional educational resources to schools for pupils who are learning English as an additional language (EAL).