Education Centre Tralee | Teacher CPD

Latest News

National Heritage Keepers Programme

Applications Now Open for the National Heritage Keepers Programme – Explore the Heritage on Your Doorstep

Burrenbeo Trust is delighted to announce that applications are now open for the fifth round of the National Heritage Keepers Programme. To date, more than 200 schools and community groups have taken part in this free initiative, which inspires participants to discover, celebrate, and protect the unique heritage of their local places.

This year, community groups and senior primary school classes are invited to join the programme, which combines online workshops with funding support for local heritage projects. Unlike programmes that separate built, cultural, and natural heritage, Heritage Keepers takes a holistic approach—emphasising how these elements are deeply connected in shaping the character of our places.

Last year, 80 schools and communities completed projects ranging from heritage trails, oral history recordings, podcasts, and booklets, to wildlife ponds, tree planting, and ‘Place Celebration’ days. Funding also enabled participants to visit local heritage sites in person, bringing their learning to life.

Feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. One teacher remarked: “It’s more than just talking about helping—it’s actually doing something.” A community participant added: “Whether we’re talking about nature, culture, or built heritage, it’s so important to get to know your place so that you love it enough to protect it for future generations.”

The programme includes five interactive two-hour workshops, followed by ongoing guidance as groups carry out their funded heritage actions. Participants can begin in autumn or in the New Year.

An online information session will take place on Tuesday, September 16th at 7:30pm. For more details and to apply visit www.heritagekeepers.ie. (Deadline September 30th)

Heritage Keepers is partially funded by The Sunflower Charitable Foundation through Community Foundation Ireland and by the Department of Education through the ESD to 2030 fund.

Emotion Coaching - 5-Part Online Course

Dates: Mondays - 15th, 22nd, 29th September, 6th, 13th October 2025

Times: 7.00pm - 8.30pm

Venue: Online via ZoomTarget Audience: Primary & Post Primary Teachers & SNAs.

Emotion Coaching is a four-step, skills-based approach that helps school staff respond to pupils’ heightened emotions and related behaviours as they occur. Originally developed by John Gottman for parenting, this relational method of communication has been effectively adapted by educational psychologists for use in schools. It is increasingly adopted by Primary and Post-Primary schools in Ireland as a strategy to support sustainable emotional health and wellbeing.

Research shows that Emotion Coaching enhances staff competency and calmness, improves pupils’ emotional literacy and regulation, and fosters stronger pupil-staff relationships. Schools have also reported better pupil behaviour, higher academic achievement, improved staff wellbeing, as well as enhanced family relationships and fewer parental complaints.

Benefits of Emotion Coaching in Schools:
It can be integrated into existing systems/programmes without additional resources or staffing.It focuses on enhancing the quality of staff interactions with pupils and does not require individual, timetabled sessions.It teaches children and young people about emotions and positive mental health in a structured, sustainable way.Pupils are likely to experience the advantages of Emotion Coaching even if not all staff apply it consistently.This 5-part online course will cover: Basic neuroscience of emotional regulation & the stress-response system Background to Emotion Coaching: what it is & why we should use it Adults’ emotional awareness and different styles of responding to emotions in children and young people How to use the 4 steps of Emotion Coaching Practical exercises & skill development activities Practice, reflection, peer discussion & problem-solving Overview of strategies that complement Emotion Coaching Support in starting your Emotion Coaching journey

PLEASE NOTE: Sessions 2, 3, and 4 will include approximately 20 minutes of breakout rooms for practical exercises and skill development activities. While some may feel reluctant to participate in breakout rooms, feedback from previous courses has been very positive regarding their value for these exercises. To make the most of these sessions, please ensure you access the course on a device equipped with a camera and microphone.

This course is NOT RECORDED in order to encourage open and honest participation within the interactive elements. Therefore, attendance at all 5 sessions is recommended.
Register here: https://www.tinteducation.ie/course-booking

2025-26 Blue Star Programme

Registration is open until 10th October 2025

For more information please click here:

https://www.bluestarprogramme.ie/register/

Progressive College Special Needs Assistant Combined Course

QQI Level 5 & 6 - Special Needs Assistant Combined

€995

You will attend class one evening a week from 6.30 pm to 9.30 pm for 20 evenings. This allows you to fit learning around your busy working and family life.

The course fee is already inclusive of all documentation, lecturing, learner registration, and QQI certification fees. There are no other fees to pay.

During this course, you will learn about development and learning in children with special needs and about the role of an SNA. You will learn about child development and behaviour theories.

Learners will also explore different activities that promote physical, social, emotional, and intellectual development in children with a variety of disabilities. You will learn about EPSEN Act and Irish Legislation and how to implement Individual Educational Plans (IEP’s).

This course will explore the role of the Multi-Disciplinary Teams to ensure integration, inclusion, and equal opportunities. This course also includes an overview of the primary and secondary school curriculum.

Starts: 7th October 2025

Time: 6.30pm - 9.30pm

Duration: 20 evenings

Location: Tralee Education Support Centre

Enrol here:

https://progressivecollege.ie/course/sna-qqi-level-5-6-combined/