Minister McEntee encourages post-primary schools to apply for School of Excellence in Creativity Award programme
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From: Department of Education
- Published on: 9 April 2025
- Last updated on: 12 April 2025
Minister for Education Helen McEntee has called on post-primary schools across Ireland to submit their expressions of interest in taking part in phase two of the ‘School of Excellence in Creativity’ programme and to take an opportunity to review, evaluate and develop creativity within their school.
Building on the success of phase one, expressions of interests are now being sought from post-primary schools keen to take part in phase two of this professional learning pilot. Schools will work towards the award of ‘School of Excellence in Creativity 2027’, exploring teachings to support creativity, and adapting learning environments to support creativity.
Minister for Education Helen McEntee said:
“The School of Excellence in Creativity Award programme aims to develop creativity and creative thinking skills among students and to enhance teachers’ practice when teaching for creativity. I am delighted to announce that up to 16 further schools will have the opportunity to participate in year two of the pilot and avail of dedicated support to support creativity in their school.
“Leaders of schools taking part in the programme will be supported in leading learning and using Looking at Our School 2022: A Quality Framework for Post-Primary Schools to develop a shared understanding of what highly effective learning, teaching, leadership and management practices for creativity can look like in their school. I would encourage schools to submit their expressions of interest to see what creativity can be unlocked in their school.”
Successful applicants for the 2025 programme will be supported by Oide Creativity and a Department of Education Inspector over a two-year period, as part of the department’s Creative Youth policy actions. In addition, they will have the opportunity to work with and share professional learning with other participating schools. Further information is available.
Schools who would like to submit an expression of interest to take part in the programme are asked to apply at the below link by Tuesday 6 May: