By Nessa Davey
Trinity College Access have acknowledged all the work taking place across many subjects and projects in Firhouse Community College and awarded the College a Community Award. Well done to Ms Crossan and to all the staff and students for all their hard work.
This ‘Schools of Distinction Award’ aims to recognise and showcase the efforts of schools nationwide to transform their school culture and to develop innovative approaches to teaching and learning. The scheme will recognise the often extraordinary work being successfully undertaken by schools in challenging conditions and with limited resources. This is achieved through the implementation of our three core practices – Pathways to College, Mentoring and Leadership in Learning. It encourages participants to draw on their own school and community resources and the resources of the Trinity Access project in Trinity College Dublin to support educational innovation and change.
This award scheme aims to support the development of ‘college-going’ practices and a student-centred, innovative learning environment across schools nationwide, particularly within schools where there is a low progression rate to post-secondary education.
Community Award recognises the achievement of schools who have joined the Community of Practice and engaged in a process of evaluating and identifying the needs of their students and teachers. Community Award winners set relevant targets to address these needs and action student centred programmes with the aim of embedding a college-going culture in their school. Schools who win this award have begun the process of engaging in our 3 core practices of Pathways to College, Mentoring and Leadership in Learning and have plans to expand these programmes in the future.
