Thread by @CatrionaGolden

Primary Summer Provision - Summary Thread

I'll start with the facts & throw in my opinions at the end.

3 programmes for primary
➡️ Special class & school provision
➡️ Mainstream provision
➡️ DEIS literacy & numeracy camps

Full docs here:
gov.ie/en/publication…

#EdChatIE

#1

There will also be home based provision.

➡️ 40 hrs
➡️ Parent sources tutor
➡️ No details yet, documents to follow.

Home based tuition is only available if the child's school is NOT running the school based programme or if there's isn't space for them

Parent leaflets below

#2

Measures to encourage schools to run programmes

➡️ Overseer role added for Mainstream & DEIS programmes
➡️ 10 hours per week of provision paid preparation hours
➡️ Commitment to paying staff earlier
➡️ PME teachers with Teaching number can be used

#3

Special Class/School programme

➡️ 2-5 weeks
➡️ Normal school day
➡️ Normal staffing ratios
➡️ Forms available week of 31st May

#4

Mainstream programme

➡️ 2-3 weeks
➡️ Each group is 12 pupils, with 1 Teacher & 1 SNA
➡️ 1 group per 300 pupils of enrolment
➡️ Priority given to pupils with complex needs (SS+)
➡️ Max of 50% of group to have complex needs. If higher, apply to DES for second group

#5

Order to offer places

➡️ Complex Needs/SS+
➡️ Incoming JI with complex needs
➡️ Most risk of Ed disadvantage /School leaving
➡️ No engagement with remote learning
➡️ SET/SNA support
➡️ Poor attendance
➡️ Traveller or Roma pupils
➡️ EAL

Separate guidance doc to help decide

#6

DEIS literacy & Numeracy camps

➡️ DEIS schools only
➡️ Up to 2 one week camps
➡️22.5hours a wk, min 4 hours per day
➡️ 36 pupils per camp
➡️ 12 to 1 teacher/pupil
➡️ Schools decide who attends
➡️ Separate handbook with guidelines
➡️ Online training for participanting schools
#7

Schools express interest online by 10th June.

#8

Staffing roles:

Overseer
➡️ Must be a permanent teacher in staff
➡️ Must be there the entire time (role can't be split)
➡️ Paid personal rate

Duties include

#9

Preparation hours

➡️ 10 hour per week, per programme
➡️ Must be a permanent teacher. Can be overseer but doesn't have to be.
➡️ Hours can be split between staff

Time to be used for duties below

#10

Teachers/SNAs:

➡️ Can be member of staff or outside recruit
➡️ Must be vetted
➡️ Paid personal rate
➡️ Separate document in link above for planning and content of programmes. And expectations of staff.

#11

Funding

➡️ €30 capitation per child
➡️ DES have requested school meals funding. To be confirmed later
➡️ Transport - SEN transport scheme either running or a grant. Mainstream - if transport required & chidl normally gets transport, school can arrange and claim

#12

Schools can appeal the resourcing to [e-mail] by Friday 18th June.

That's also the contact email for any queries.

#13

My 2cents

Positives
➡️ Overseer role for all camps
➡️ Paid preparation hours
➡️ Flexibility on when to run camps during summer
➡️ School meals funding would be great if approved
➡️ Commitment to earlier pay is great

#14

Pitfalls /Challenges

➡️ Staffing Ratio

Staffing ratio for the mainstream camp is unworkable for many schools & simply dangerous for others.

Potentially 12 pupils with care needs in a group with 1 SNA. Potentially 6 with complex needs who need 1 to 1 or close to it support

#15

➡️ Detrimental to some

If a school runs it, a pupil /parent who has 1 to 1 tuition planned due to complex needs now can't avail of that. Even if the parent knows their child won't manage with 12 children and 2 adults for the summer, they aren't given a choice

Huge issue

#16

This means a school may actually see it as causing harm to run this programme with these ratios, and deprive some of the highest need pupils of support they need

It should be a choice for parents if school based programme is being run, that or home based

#17

➡️ No mention of EPV days. Usually EPV days for Juyl Provision

➡️ Overseer role can't be split. This means for school to run a 5 wk programme, one perm teacher has to give up most of their summer break. This is fantasy stuff. It's not going to happen. Allow it to be split

#18

I think there are some good parts of this, but the ratios mean huge pressure on anyone who signs up as teacher or SNA. That will cut numbers further.

The lack of flexibility for parents is unfair also.

No vaccination for most staff means many simply won't risk it.

#19

I can't see big uptake.

Timing alone is an issue. Will work in some contexts, for some groups, but at systems level it needs more work.

If used as a base & adapted for next year, with everyone vaccination, people less exhausted. Fix the ratios & it could work well then.

#20