Skibbereen Community School 

Self-Evaluation Report 

Evaluation period: Sept 2018/May 2019  

The Focus of this Evaluation 

Our focus for the academic year 2018/2019 was identified and clarified for us as a result of the MLL- WSE in April 2018.  

The Gathering of Evidence 

  • MLL-WSE report April 2018. 

  • Research several sample journals and journals from other schools in the area, re new Junior Cycle, recording of CBA’s, reflective practices, effective logging of other areas of learning.    

  • NCCA guidelines from Dept – Learning Intentions, Success Criteria, Effective Questioning & Formative feedback. 

  • Survey of staff on assessment & their use of learning intentions in class. 

  • Survey of parents re journal usage. 

  • Presentation from Cora Kenny, Home Economics teacher & JC advisor, on teaching & learning. 

Our Plan 

  1. To survey the staff on their use of learning intentions during class & analyse it. 

  2. To use the NCCA guidelines on Learning Intentions, Success Criteria to inform the staff in SCS. 

  3. To research sample student journals and student journals from other schools in the area, re new Junior Cycle, recording of CBA’s, effective logging of other areas of learning, and students reflecting on their own learning. 

  4. That our plan is a Whole-School Initiative, implemented by using a whole school approach to enhance teaching and learning in SCS. 

    Year 1 

    Implement the use of Learning Intentions in our teaching and learning. 

    Year 2 

    Use Learning Intentions, Success Criteria & Learner Outcomes in our teaching and learning. 

    Year 3 

    Give Formative Feedback to students & reinforcement of the above in our teaching. Provide students with formative feedback to enhance the students learning experience 

    Our Actions 

    Learning Intentions 

    • We surveyed the staff on their use of learning intentions during class & analysed it. 

    • Staff information session on Learning Intentions. 

    • Learning intention signs for each room; To know, To do, To understand. 

    • Each subject establishes learning intentions, for their lessons and subject file. 

    • Follow up emails to staff 

    • Second presentation of Learning Intentions 

    • Followed up at subject department meetings & at staff meetings on Wednesdays. 

    • Information relayed via staff share. 

    • Final presentation on Learning Intentions & Success Criteria. 

    Student Journal 

    • We researched sample student journals and student journals from other schools in the area, re new Junior Cycle, recording of CBA’s, effective logging of other areas of learning, and students reflecting on their own learning. 

    • We put together a sample journal and presented it to staff and collated their feedback on the sample. 

    • We implemented the changes suggested by staff and edited the sample, discussed it at T & L meeting and finalised the editions. 

    • We tried the sample with a focus group, (1A & 1B, for one week), we documented their feedback and recommendations, and reported it to T & L meeting. 

    • Final amendments were made. 

    • New Journal to roll out for First & Second years for the next academic year. 

     

    The specific aspect of Teaching & Learning that SCS will focus on the next academic year is to encourage staff to use Learning Intentions, Success Criteria & Learner Outcomes at the start of a unit of learning, in an effort to familiarise students with the language associated with the New Junior Cycle.