Anseo.net - If I were the Minister for Education

With the new MFL curriculum coming up, I thought I'd speak to someone who knows a thing or two about teaching languages. Róisín Brady from LanguageNut joined me to explain how she thinks the curriculum is going to work out.Find more: http://languagenut.com/

In this episode, I explore the issue of underfunding in Irish primary schools, using the example of Sacred Heart Junior National School in Killinarden, Dublin, which announced it would operate remotely due to financial constraints. I delve into the history and structure of funding for primary schools, highlighting how the Department of Education's capitation grants have not kept pace with rising costs, such as electricity, gas, and wages. As usual I critique the patronage system and propose that the Department of Education should be directly responsible for the financial management of schools to address these ongoing challenges. All shownotes and data available on: https://simonmlewis.medium.com/a-school-may-have-to-close-due-to-lack-of-funding-how-has-it-come-to-this-9392b568977bGet my newsletter every fortnight to your inbox on: https://www.anseo.net/subscribe00:43 Case Study: Sacred Heart Junior National School03:01 Funding Challenges in Irish Primary Schools03:48 Detailed Analysis of School Funding06:31 Impact of Rising Costs on Schools09:29 Historical Context and Comparisons27:51 Proposed Solutions and Conclusion

 On this week's show, I'll be talking about solar panels and schools, but maybe not from the angle you might be expecting. As many of you might know, the government decided that every school in the country would be given a set of solar panels. And the main talk from those in the profession has been why The decision was made that no matter what size your school is, you'll be getting the same number of solar panels.So very tiny schools will be getting the same number of solar panels as a very big school, which of course doesn't make any sense. However, I don't think I'd be able to make an entire podcast out. of that. And instead, I want to look at the solar panel issue from a different perspective. And that is who's going to own them.

Rob Barnett is the co-founder and Chief Product Officer of Modern Classrooms Project, a really interesting project which, at its core, tries to use technology for better human interaction and relationships in the classroom. Rob is a hugely impressive educator as you will hear in this episode but you can also watch him at this TEDx talk.Rob has also written a book, Meet Every Learners' Needs and has developed a very interesting tool called Insta-Lesson. I'd recommend you look at both!

Despite my detective work, it looks like I was completely wrong about who the next Minister for Education was going to be and it's Helen McEntee who is our education minister.Join me as I write a letter telling Helen McEntee what I would love to see happening in the education system as she takes over from a depressing almost-decade of neglect.

In this podcast episode, I interview Muireann Sadlier, the Director of Cyber Smarties Ireland, discussing the importance of keeping children safe online while teaching them to use the internet positively. Sadlier shares her extensive background in education, focusing on wellbeing and behaviour, and introduces Cyber Smarties, an app designed for primary schools that supports children's social skills and online safety. We explore alarming statistics on children's online experiences, the challenges of managing screen time, and the need for proactive strategies to teach children responsible online behavior. Cyber Smarties offers a monitored environment for children to interact safely and learn positive social interactions. The discussion also touches on broader themes of technology's role in education and parenting, and the potential benefits of using apps like Cyber Smarties as part of a comprehensive approach to digital literacy and well-being.You can find our more about Cyber Smarties Ireland here: https://cybersmarties.ie/

In this episode I reflect on the challenges faced by the primary education system in 2024 and offer ten reasons for possible optimism in 2025. Topics include improvements in special education, the potential of artificial intelligence in classrooms, the evolving role of patronage in schools, the impact of new educational technology, and the hope for a competent new Minister for Education. I also discuss the significance of the new primary maths curriculum, the extension of the primary language curriculum to include foreign languages, and the importance of embracing teacher diversity. I conclude with a call to return the focus of education to pedagogy rather than reducing schools to childminding services.Timestamps00:00 Welcome and Introduction00:33 Reflecting on 2024 and Looking Ahead01:48 Special Education: Challenges and Hopes07:06 The Exciting Future of Technology in Education13:04 The Patronage System in Schools18:11 Hopes for a New Minister of Education20:36 The Shift from Twitter to Instagram for Educators25:03 Social Media Exodus: From Twitter to Instagram26:13 New Primary Maths Curriculum: Hopeful Changes28:48 School Meals Program: Pros and Cons34:49 Primary Language Curriculum: Modern Foreign Languages36:19 Teacher Diversity and the Baptism Barrier43:10 Looking Forward to 2025: A Call to Action

 If you have been listening to the first half of this episode where I covered the education stories from January to June, you'll notice that the first half of 2024 in schools was not exactly filled with hope. With special education slowly but surely been stripped away and the world falling apart with war. Could the second half of the year, bring some hope? Let see...

 If there's nothing else you can say about the Minister for Education, Norma Foley. When we look back at 2024, it's likely she will feature heavily. Whether it was her crisis opportunity during the general election campaign or her 9 million Euro phone pouches, in this episode, join me as I look back on a year where the Department of Education were more interested in smartphones than teacher shortages and where all of the problems in the education system seemed to be defended by throwing free school books and free school lunches at parents. So without further ado, let's review the year from January to June.

In this episode, I count down who I believe are the top ten front-runners to being the next Minister for Education. What position with Norma Foley come? Who do I tip to be the next Donagh O'Malley? Find out in an episode that's like to age very badly!

Don't worry, I'm not running in the General Election! You already have enough of me. However, theoretically, if I got to write a Manifesto, there are 4 main areas I would focus on:PatronageSpecial EducationFundingTeacher ShortageYou might be surprised by the first one... listen on your favourite podcast platform

In this final episode of Access Undone, I try to outline the ways I would reverse the damage that has been caused in the last decade by the Department of Education and NCSE. I explore three solutions and argue that if all three were implemented, it would save the agencies from being part of the 21st century's greatest education scandal and, even possibly put them in the same definition of Ireland's most famous minister, Donagh O'Malley.

When I appeared on Virgin Media television's "Ireland's Education Crisis," I thought my phone would be buzzing from radio stations eager to find out why I thought the way we treat children with additional needs is Ireland's 21st century scandal. I didn't hear a single thing. It's a theme I'm getting used to when I raise special education: silence.In the same vein, in this episode, I try to get a look into the inner workings of the NCSE. As you'll probably note from the length of this episode, I didn't get very far. However, as I was writing this episode, something happened. The NCSE announced new guidelines for allocating resources. Perhaps our next episode will spark some positivity?

The AON Debacle and what it tells usIn this episode I cover the controversial Assessment of Need (AON) process which, to me, shows how the power of silence, supported by the illusion of partnership that representative bodies find themselves, brought us to a place where schools were forced to get the NCSE and the State out of a legal pickle. This episode gives a single point in the scandal, which gives an example of how the State, supported by the corroboration of representative bodies and stakeholders, and with the silence of those in the service, ensures that services to children with additional needs continues to declineShownotes and Links:01:45 The Assessment of Need Debacle05:03 Schools' Struggles and NCSE's Response10:21 Union Involvement and Teacher Reactions12:39 Media Coverage and Public Outcry21:07 The Aftermath and Lessons LearnedDara Calleary Speech: https://twitter.com/Donnchadhol/status/1585234176412114945?t=8Fy3OyCIO9BCES035H7ygQ&s=19 https://anseo.net/subscribe - Subscribe to my newsletter

Episode 3: Those with the greatest needsThe episode examines the troubling history of the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) and its policies, including the controversial cuts to resources and the implementation of flawed allocation models. I discuss the systematic mistreatment and exclusion of special needs children, likening it to past societal scandals.The episode dives into statistical discrepancies and the significant hardships faced by parents and schools, questioning the integrity and effectiveness of the NCSE and related political decisions.At the end, I call on anyone working in the NCSE, especially SENOs to tell their story. Let's hope they do.00:43 The NCSE's Role and Controversial Actions05:21 Challenges Faced by Parents and Schools14:43 The Set Allocation Model and Its Flaws27:51 The SNA Toolkit and Its Implications32:24 Conclusion and Call for Stories

Episode 2: Soft BarriersIn this episode I explore the role of the National Council for Special Education (NCSE), a quango responsible for organising resources for special education. I trace the NCSE's establishment in 2003 and its subsequent decline in effectiveness, particularly since the detrimental effects of budget cuts since 2008. The NCSE's lack of adequate support, arbitrary allocation of resources, and controversial response to government cuts are all scrutinised. I argue that despite the increasing number of children with special needs, support has been reduced, leading to a progressively worse situation for these children. And when schools spoke out against the cuts, it was the NCSE, not the government that said schools were putting in soft barriers to stop children accessing support.

If you were to walk into any primary school and compared it to the classroom you might have sat in only a generation ago, apart from a big screen instead of a blackboard, the biggest difference you would see is the diversity of students in that room. One in four children in primary school have an additional need* and according to recent research over 45% of children with support needs are being failed in accessing their right to education. I have spent the last 15 years witnessing the slow collapse of services for children with additional needs in school. Join me for 'Access Undone: The Collapse of Special Education,' where I explore what I believe is the 21st century's greatest educational scandal."

If you were to walk into any primary school and compared it to the classroom you might have sat in only a generation ago, apart from a big screen instead of a blackboard, the biggest difference you would see is the diversity of students in that room. One in four children in primary school have an additional need* and according to recent research over 45% of children with support needs are being failed in accessing their right to education. I have spent the last 15 years witnessing the slow collapse of services for children with additional needs in school. Join me over the coming weeks for 'Access Undone: The Collapse of Special Education,' where I explore what I believe is the 21st century's educational scandal."Sources: https://www.sensationalkids.ie/our-impact/facts-figures/ and https://inclusionireland.ie/news-events/department-of-education-removes-vital-resource-while-45-of-children-with-support-needs-are-being-failed-in-accessing-their-right-to-edu/

You will not be surprised to hear that my first podcast of the 2024-2025 school year is about religion in schools. It's a topic I'm always coming back to and it never ceases to amaze me of how many different angles you can find from it. But what I want to explore in this episode is what do most schools mean when they talk about religion. Maybe a better title would have been, "What we talk about when we talk about religion in schools."

This week, I focus on the significant challenges within special education. I cover recently published inspectorate findings, testimonies from school principals, and a detailed report by a group of parents on the deteriorating state of special education. I discuss the lack of adequate resources, bureaucratic hurdles, and the ineffectiveness of new initiatives, emphasizing the dire need for proper support and funding. I also and, finally, how a 13-year-old girl is most likely to be the one to save us.

I don't know about you, but when I think about Special Education, in general, I think about 3 options - mainstream, special classes and special schools. However, special schools are not simply a one-size-fits-all solution with lots of different types out there that cater for particular needs. This week I talk to Debbie O'Neill, principal of Scoil Eoin, a school for students with mild general learning disabilities. It is also a type of special school that the Department of Education are trying to close down in the name of so-called inclusion.

In this episode, I examine the complex topic of teaching children about war, specifically focusing on the Israel-Gaza conflict. Drawing from my personal background and experiences, I explore the intricacies of discussing such sensitive subjects in the classroom. After that, something completely different as I preview my interview with Paudie Moore, The Teacher's Coach, on maintaining teacher wellbeing. I also touch upon the goal of achieving 400 multi-denominational schools in Ireland and the challenges involved. Resources for Israel/Gaza can be found here: https://simonmlewis.medium.com/i-need-to-talk-about-israel-including-some-resources-for-your-classeoom-8435df4698dc

Over the last couple of years I've chatted to a number of people about wellbeing in the classroom but usually from a child's point of view. And I've talked about resilience, growth mindset, all that kind of stuff. But one thing I'm always interested in is about a teacher's own wellbeing. I was really happy to be joined by Paudie Moore, aka The Teacher's Coach. And that's exactly what he specialises in.

In this episode of 'If I Were the Minister for Education', I delve into the struggles faced by families in securing school placements for children with additional needs, the inefficiencies of the National Council for Special Education (NCSE), and the dynamics of religious education. I also look at what can be learned from Singapore's education system, following a visit by John Boyle. Show Notes, as always, can be found on: https://anseo.net/?p=19743

As Meja sang (I had to google her!), this episode is all about the money and it's all about the dumb dumb dumb dumb dumb decisions recently made by the Department of Education. I look at the School Book Grant, the Ancillary Grant, and look forward to the summer programme, all of which have had their funds cut.

This week we talk about the divestment of the first Catholic school to Educate Together, followed by the findings of the Grace report, indicating a discrepancy between the religious beliefs of teachers and their roles in Catholic schools. While one commentator blames the teachers, another blames the whole Catholic community.Next, I discuss the Polish government's ban on homework for primary students, questioning the relevance and format of homework in Ireland's education system. I haven't changed my stance since I recorded my podcast on the topic several years ago!https://anseo.captivate.fm/episode/episode-39-scrap-homeworkLastly, I confess to warming to Minister Norma Foley's stance against smartphones in schools, advocating for a broader approach that includes legislation to protect children from harmful content. While I don't believe it's the school's role to lead on it, I'm very nervous of what the future generation is going to look like if we all don't do something.01:06 The Good Grace Report: A Deep Dive into Religious Control and Education05:37 The Shocking Reality: Teachers' Beliefs vs. Catholic School Ethos18:27 Rethinking Homework: Lessons from Poland's Bold Move24:44 Smartphone Ban Debate: A Necessary Measure for Child Safety?30:20 Wrapping Up: Reflecting on Education, Religion, and Technology

In this episode, I explore the landscape of primary education in Ireland, focusing on the outcomes of the INTO Congress, the ongoing conversations regarding gender identity in schools, and the looming uncertainties over the primary school book grant scheme. I delve into the controversies surrounding teacher compensation for overseas work, the dominance of religious control in education, and the societal response to gender identity within educational settings. Additionally, I express concerns over potential reductions to the primary school book grant scheme.

In this episode, I reflect on the implications of Josepha Madigan's departure as the Minister for Special Education and whether the position will ever exist again. I also ponder on the INTO's survey on physical aggression. Finally, we move to Estonia and explore why they are now kings and queens of Europe and why Ireland won't be the best education system in Europe by 2026.

In this episode, I wonder about the quantum of SET agendas and why the IPPN has decided to go against its members. I discuss why the media have reduced a completely changed curriculum down to sex. Finally I deny that I've been looking through your bins. Links to articles discussed can be found on anseo.net

In this podcast episode, I discuss the challenges in special education, specifically the issues with school allocations and the ineffectiveness of the current system. I also delve into the expansion of the school transport system and the complications arising due to patronage. Lastly, I touch on the topic of Irish exemptions and the audit of schools with high exemption rates. Additionally, I reflect on the ownership of newly built schools by religious bodies despite being funded by the state.

In this latest episode of the podcast 'If I were the Minister for Education', I explore the recent happenings within the Irish primary education system, discussing the aftermath of SET allocations and the implications this had on schools and teachers. The episode also delves into the issue of Irish school buildings being gifted to private religious bodies and assesses the impact of this decision. Finally, I explore why the Scottish see the Irish education system in such a positive light, primarily referring to Ireland's performance in PISA tests. Show notes available on Anseo.net

In this episode of 'If I were the Minister for Education', I explore the current state of Irish primary education, particularly focusing on SET (Special Education Teaching) allocations. My research reveals that developing schools have been majorly overlooked in SET allocations, leading to a significant resource gap compared to non-developing schools. I discuss how there has been a minor increase in total resources but the allocation has inadequately catered to the growing student population in developing schools. I also discuss my findings from county to county and even delve into the effects on different schools depending on their patronage. Remember to subscribe at https://www.anseo.net/subscribe for more insights into the Irish primary education system and check out the data for yourself on anseo.net.

Welcome to another kind of experimental version of the show because I have decided that I'm going to try and extend the podcast to YouTube - you can check the video version of it at https://www.youtube.com/@Anseo Show note are available on Anseo.net here: https://anseo.net/?p=19569Topics covered:Should School Summer Holidays be shorter?Gifting Solar Panels to the ChurchHaving a go at Private Schools School Uniforms and RulesMaking a Business from Smartphones in SchoolsDystopian Predictions for Future Classrooms

Back in 2011, The Irish Times published a list, which they deemed to be the 50 most influential people in education. I've been profiling them now for a while, and I've already done the top 10 numbers, 11 to 20, and now it's time for numbers. 21 to 30. Let's see, who's made the list and let me know what you think on anseo.net.All show notes available on: https://simonmlewis.medium.com/the-50-most-influential-people-in-education-where-are-they-now-part-3-5-01520a753acc

In this episode, I give a summary of the excellent Children's School Lives report (number 6!) which is focused on the curriculum and assessment. The document provides a comprehensive analysis of children's experiences in Irish primary schools. It focuses on how children engage with and perceive their school curriculum and assessment processes. The report details children's subject preferences, their learning experiences across different subjects, and teachers' experiences in teaching these subjects. It also covers the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on curriculum and assessment practices, and includes insights from principals, teachers, and parents on these topics.Of particular interest to me are the subjects of Irish, Drama and Religion. What roles do they fulfil now?Show notes available: https://simonmlewis.medium.com/childrens-school-lives-report-6-10633d73fdc5 or https://www.anseo.net

Join me as I tackle a question that I feel we should be asking more often: Is the Catholic Certificate in Religious Education discriminatory? Following on from Peter Maguire's excellent article on the subject, I dive into all sides of the debate, chatting about the contents of the certificate, the challenges it poses for non-Catholics, and the arguments for and against its requirement. Strap in for an honest, no-holds-barred conversation (with an alien) that'll hopefully make you rethink the education system and what I would do if I Were the Minister for Education.Show notes, as always, on https://simonmlewis.medium.com

There is an unprecedented shortage of primary school teachers in Ireland, according to an Irish Times article after a joint survey from the INTO, IPPN and CPSMA revealed there are over 800 teaching positions left unfilled at the moment and it's due to get worse. So, where are all the teachers and what would I do if I were the Minister for Education?Show notes: https://simonmlewis.medium.com 9OHgUbTiq536zZPGZYsP

In this special interview with the co-founder of Clever.com, Dab Carroll, I talk about all things Clever but also about the US education system. We also discuss his thoughts on technology in education and how to best use it.Clever.com is now available in Ireland so we talk about that decision too.To sign up to Clever Go! go to: https://www.getclever.com/go/

In this episode, I discuss the people that made it in 11th to 20th position in the Irish Times 2011 article and find out where they are now.Show notes and links can be found on my Medium channel: https://simonmlewis.medium.com/the-50-most-influential-people-in-education-where-are-they-now-part-2-5-a2679e119641

Sarah Webb and Conor Bredin join me to discuss the fantastic Discover Irish Children's Books initiative (https://discoveririshkidsbooks.ie/) Join us as we delve into the world of kids' books and make some recommendations for some Irish authors you may not know.

Twelve years ago, the Irish Times published an article, out of the blue, which listed the top 50 most influential people in education. It was compiled over four weeks and the journalists stated that key figures (without naming them) were asked to compile their own lists confidentially. The names that featured were the most prominent on the lists. I thought it would be interesting to see where these people are now.Show notes and blog article can be found here: https://simonmlewis.medium.com/the-50-most-influential-people-in-education-where-are-they-now-part-1-5-fdfc5ea80528

One of my biggest bug bears is when a primary school calls itself inclusive. For one, in Ireland, it is impossible to be fully inclusive because schools are completely reliant on government funding and the allocation of resources. For example over 90% of schools in a self-assessed survey revealed that they didn't have enough resources to support children with additional needs. Hardly inclusive but hardly their fault. However, you'd be surprised how many religious schools call themselves inclusive. In fact, if you work in one, you've probably done it. Join me as I explain why denominational schools can't call themselves inclusive.Show Notes: https://medium.com/p/e0ce28f30069

Why are primary school teachers like me going on the radio talking about banning smartphones? In this episode I wonder why it is schools, yet again, being asked to police society.Blog Post: https://medium.com/@slewis7796/smartphone-bans-and-schools-solving-societal-issues-6e1273403c23

If you were listening to the last episode of If I Were the Minister for Education, you'll know that I was talking about Artificial Intelligence and how I believed it was going to change everything. In the episode, I said I was going to try out A.I. to create an episode and this is the first one. So “A.I. Simon” is born - and because the tool I'm using isn't able to recognise Irish accents yet, you've got a British-accented version of myself. I'd love to know what you think of my efforts. I have been planning on summarising the Children's School Lives 5th report for a couple of months so let's see how well AI Simon does!

Technology and education have a strange relationship in Ireland. If a teacher said to a parent or another teacher or anyone at all that they really didn't like Maths so they don't bother teaching it or using it, there would be uproar. And rightly so. However, even in 2023, you'll still hear teachers saying they're not that into technology so they don't really use it in their classroom and no one bats an eyelid. To me it's incomprehensible that a teacher would not utilise technology in their classroom and, to be fair, it isn't even true. It is so embedded in our practice that most teachers don't realise they are using it. I don't think there is a single teacher in Ireland that doesn't use an Interactive Whiteboard for example. If the internet went down in school when I started teaching, people mightn't have noticed for a couple of days. Now you hear about it in a couple of seconds. In the last few months, the world of technology has been rocked by the emergence of Artificial Intelligence, or AI, and I don't think it's a stretch to say it's the next revolution, and will have as big an impact as the Internet did when it first came out. In this episode, I want to explore some of the things AI might do that will transform primary teaching and what I would do if I were the Minister for Education.Links from the episode:AI and Education (UNESCO)Creating a unit of work in Canva30 uses for AI in the Classroom

Coming up to interview season, I was approached by someone that has been working in the system for a number of years and hasn't managed to get a permanent post. You'll probably be thinking, there must be a reason for that. Maybe this person is a raging heathen like myself or maybe this person is “difficult” but you'll have to trust me when I tell you the person isn't. They seemed, and I mean this in the best way possible, normal. Their story probably would resonate and I'm going to read a snippet of it because it's not going to give away who they are. To be honest, it could be many people's story.

What better way to celebrate my beloved Sheffield United's return to the Premier League than talking about soccer and education! In this interview, I talk to Mark Connaughton from KlaasKickz, a fantastic company that has produced a football boot to help teach children how to kick a football successfully. We talk all things soccer including what it takes to get to the top of a game, and how that maps from the pitch to the schooldesk.More information here: https://www.klaaskickz.com/klaas-kickz-academy

Technology is central to most people's work and lives and, for schools, it's no different. Despite this, the Department of Education failed to provide a regular stream of funding for almost two decades after the launch of IT2000 in 1997. Former principal and early pioneer of educational technology, Robbie O'Leary, famously said that technology in primary schools has been funded almost completely by cake sales and Tesco tokens. This school year, everyone expected their grant to arrive in April and when it didn't come, people simply believed, like many things, it was delayed and would be paid, “in due course”, as the DoE like to say. However, at the end of May, a principal spotted that the grant had simply disappeared from the schedule of payments. In this episode, I take a look at what the DoE expect schools to do when it comes to technology and why it's doomed to failure if they aren't going to fund it.

I'm always giving out about our education system so when I got the opportunity to speak about the Canadian system, I was only happy to give Ireland a break for an episode. However, I didn't expect to meet someone with such a rich and fascinating history as Maxwell Roach. A former musician that worked with the likes of Beyoncé and then a move to baking bread, Maxwell now runs the JonAyves Learning Club. In this interview we talk about the Canadian education system touching on the system, diversity and giving children the tools they need to learn.

The best talks I ever saw live happened in the same conference. It was the IPPN conference in 2012. Imagine this as a lineup - Mary Robinson, who needs no introduction; Michael Fullan, one of the world's greatest thinkers in education; Ben Waldon, a Shakespearean actor who tours the world giving talks on leadership; and David Puttnam, the film director and a former advisor on education to the UK government. They don't make conferences like that anymore. The reason I bring this conference up is because of the last name I brought up, David Puttnam, who was talking about educational leadership at the time. While many have said it since, it was the first time I heard somebody say “the children we are teaching today will be doing jobs that do not yet exist.” Ten years later, we are starting to see the saplings of these seeds emerging. For example, there was no such thing as a social media influencer or an eSports coach, never mind a podcast producer! In this episode, I want to tell you about my dream job. It is one that also doesn't exist. Yet. And if I were the Minister for Education, I'd not only be creating the job, I'd be quitting my ministry and taking it on myself!

When I think of podcasting, I think of two Joes: Joe Molloy, the retired Irish primary teacher who started podcasting before the word was invented in the late 1990's/early noughties; and also Joe Dale, one of the biggest names in education and podcasting in the world. I had the pleasure of having Joe on the podcast to talk about all things technology and he even offered to produce/edit the show for me. Get ready for the highest quality episode of If I were the Minister for Education!