DEIS Plan.

Patron: Catholic Bishop of Kildare & Leighlin. 

Chairperson: Ms Kathleen Carrig.

Principal: Mr John Kelly

Staff: 9 class teachers, 6 Learning support teachers and 1 HSCL. 2 SNAs. 1 secretary. Shared caretaker. 2 part-time cleaners. Pupils: 206 boys, from second to sixth class.  

Parents: Parents Association and parents’ nominees on board of management. 

This school exists for the pupils. The educational progress and welfare of each child is the over-riding consideration in decisions reached at by our teachers and board of management.  

Our Key Values:   

We believe in providing a holistic education for our pupils, employing the values of equality, enjoyment, experiential (practical) learning, excellence.   

Purpose of Plan:   

To bring about improvement in educational and social outcomes for those pupils considered to be under-achieving in educational and social terms due to disadvantage and to help them achieve their potential. 

• Pupils are actively engaged in learning in numeracy and literacy.  
• Attainment levels are within the average range in numeracy and there is scope for improvement in literacy.  
• School based programmes are implemented to promote pupil engagement and attainment in both numeracy and literacy.   
• The school has a wide and appropriate range of resources for all class groupings.  

• Teacher observation/teacher reflection and whole staff discussion at staff meetings will be the primary monitoring tool.  
• Teachers will reflect on the implementation of targets and action in their own class groupings.  
• Pupil feedback will be sought through oral questioning / questionnaires / observation pupil interaction.  
• Continuous CPD will be offered to the whole staff.  
• Regular reports will be used as a monitoring tool: e.g., HSCL’s progress reports.  
• Standardised test score will be analysed using the analysis tool on the PDST website.  
• Class Tests and teacher designed tests will be used to evaluate the plan.  

• Teacher observations will be noted and collated.  
• Standardised test scores will be analysed to determine achievement of target.  
• Pupil and parental feedback will be used.  
• Pupil and parental questionnaires will be used to evaluate success.  
• Pupils’ work and samples of work will be monitored to evaluate success. 

All staff members are responsible for the implementing the targets and actions contained in this plan. 

The plan will be reviewed regularly at staff meetings. 

1. To increase number of children on good attendance [75%-89% present] from 36% to 45% over three years. 
2. To reduce the number of children on average attendance [50%-74%] from 8% to 5% over three years.
3. To increase the overall attendance level from 88.6% to >90% over three years.
4. To continue with current practice of monitoring, reviewing and reports on attendance 
5. To continue with recording and analysis of attendance using Aladdin.
6. To increase awareness of the link between attendance and attainment 
7. To increase awareness of the issues surrounding poor attendance 
8. To improve punctuality of children in the mornings. 

Attendance will be tracked and monitored using a whole school approach. Principal, Deputy Principal, HSCL Coordinator, teachers, Board of Management and parents to be involved in supporting good attendance. In consultation with staff a rewards system to be put in place to support high attendance. Reporting of absenteeism by notification of parents by letters and referrals to TUSLA and EWO when necessary. Analysis of Data investigating link between attendance and attainment – standardised test scores, NRIT scores, attendance. 

• Encouraging children to be punctual 
• Encouraging children to attend regularly. 
• Absent notes: Keep notes explaining absences; Request written explanation if no note received. 

• Weekly meetings between HSCL and principal to analyse attendance. 
• Strategy meetings when necessary 
• HSCL to conduct home visits. 
• Reward systems in place for class groupings with the highest combined attendance monthly 
• Reward systems in place for children with the highest attendance yearly. 
• Analysis of Data regarding the link between attainment and attendance 

Monthly Yearly 

Salse Pulse system 

• Notify parents by letter when a child reaches 15/20 days absent 
• Referrals to TUSLA to be made in chronic cases of non-attendance. 

• School lunches to be provided.
• Homework club to be encouraged where appropriate. 
• Involvement of children in sports activities provided in the school e.g., football, athletics.
• HSCL to conduct home visits when necessary

 Cumann na mBunscol 

1) To increase the % of children scoring between the 51st – 84th percentile by 7%.

2)To reduce the % of children scoring between the 17th – 50th percentile by 7%. 

3) To foster a love of reading in the pupils. 

1. Encourage parental involvement  

               Purchase resources: My Read At Home scheme, Novel set to support C.J. Fallon scheme, Link with the local library, Book Club     commenced, reading achievements acknowledged in Assembly, DEAR daily in class teacher’s timetable

• Careful assessing from start to finish,e.g. RAIN test/ BURT, Drumcondra
• Targeting individual needs, differentiation within class
• Visit to local library, membership forms. 
• Book review at Assembly and bookworm certificates awarded.
• Teacher reads novel to class that is linked to class reader.
• DEAR and My Read at Home introduced to each class and consistently done each day.
• Book Club every Friday and Book Club for parents

1) To maintain the % of children at or above the 81st percentile. 

2)To reduce the % of children scoring below the 16th percentile by 2%.

3) To develop the measures skills of the students. 

4) Link numeracy to other subject areas.                   

5) Encourage parental involvement 

• In class SET to assist with station teaching/maths lessons 
• Pre-test, Teach, Re-test Maths topics relating to measures. 
• Parents make maths games to assist their children’s learning
• Use Sigma Results to get accurate information.  
• Use of numeracy in Geography & Science –e.g. scale on maps, capacity, volume and speed in Science

(Sept 2nd class)

1. To support parents and children through the difficult phase of transfer from primary school to post-primary school. 
2. To support parents and children through the difficult phase of transfer from preschool to primary school.  
3. To build links between the preschools and the primary school to aid the transition process. 
4. To build links between the primary and post primary school to aid the transition process.  

• Communication with relevant secondary schools re pupils enrolled. 

• PASSPORTs filled out by children to aid transition. 
• End of year reports to be passed on to relevant schools. 

Deputy Principal  

HSCL Secondary 

School Personnel 

6th Class children 

 Class Teacher 

September 

• Recess Programme 

6th class children 

• My Child My Vision Transition programme – adapted to suit the needs of local parents. 
• Preparation for open nights and the application process, preparation for CAT 5 testing. 
• Adjusting to post primary school 
• HSCL to conduct home visits when necessary. 

HSCL in MCS 

 September  

November  

April  

• Information meeting for parents 
• Visit of children to new junior infant classroom 
• Home visits to new parents to aid any stresses or worries of transitioning

Principal 

During enrolment 

 May of year of enrolment 

  September & October

1. To improve parental involvement in the life of the school and particularly in curricular-related activities with their children. 
2. To improve parents’ own educational needs and skills. 
3. To ensure parents are active participants in their child’s learning both at home and in school. 
4. To continue to improve the avenues of communication between the school and the home. 
5. To increase the number of target parents engaging in parenting courses and classes 

• Cookery classes  
• Fitness classes 
• Art and Craft courses 
• I.T. classes 
• English language classes 
• Family First Aid 

ETB Tutors 

Various tutors and facilitators 

• Internet safety for children 
• Drug misuse information 
• Healthy Eating 
• Budgeting for families 
• Helping your child deal with anxiety 

1, 2, 3, 5 

ETB Tutors Community Garda 

• Maths Skills  
• Literacy Skills 
• Irish skills

1, 2, 3, 5 

• Home visits by HSCL 
• Parent-Teacher meetings 
• School Twitter Account
• School Website 
• Induction meeting for 2nd class
• Parents notice board. 
• Aladdin Connect

All teachers Principal 

When necessary. 

Yearly – November Once a month 

Updated regularly. 

Yearly – June 

Updated regularly 

• Maths 
• Literacy  
• Science  
• Shared reading 
• Local History 

Courses to be run throughout the year – one a term 

1. To maximise supports available to alleviate the effects of disadvantage for the children of the school.
2. To maintain and strengthen current links with local voluntary and statutory agencies. 

• Other DEIS schools and HSCL Coordinators 
• Homework Club
• Local library and museum
• Various local businesses e.g., Supervalu. 

• NEPS A school representative

will attend meetings and 

communicate with NEPS regarding certain students. 

• Child and Adult Mental Health Services (CAMHS) 
• TUSLA Child and Family Agency 
• Health Services Executive (HSE)
• Bernardos
•  The Vault

Deputy Principal, HSCL

• Kilkenny/Carlow Education Training Board (KCETB) 
• Kilkenny Education Centre 
• Bernardos

 HSCL 

• Gardaí/Juvenile Liaison Officer (JLO) 
• Youth Workers