Around 600 secondary teachers from across the Craigavon area gathered for a day of professional learning before the new school term, with artificial intelligence, inclusion and major curriculum changes among the issues under discussion.
The event brought together teachers and school leaders from across the area for presentations and shared learning on the use of AI in the classroom, literacy skills, the new TransformEd programme and creating inclusive learning environments.
Teachers share experience ahead of curriculum changes
The “teach meet” was organised by Kate Crick, director of curriculum at Craigavon Integrated College, and Rosie Jordan, vice-principal at St Ronan’s College in Lurgan. Ms Crick said the event grew from the “wealth of expertise” among educational professionals locally.
External contributors included a youth worker and representatives from the Education Authority, who discussed special educational needs. The organisers said the growing integration of children with additional needs into mainstream schools made inclusion an important subject for discussion.
Ms Jordan said teachers attending the event would learn about AI, literacy, inclusion and other areas while preparing for the challenges ahead, including TransformEd and a revised curriculum.
Focus on inclusion across the classroom
Aisling Hughes, vice-principal of St John the Baptist College in Portadown, described the day as an opportunity for schools in the area to exchange ideas. Her presentation examined how schools can create an inclusive learning environment.
Ms Hughes said inclusion should not be understood only as support for children with additional needs. It should also recognise and develop high-achieving pupils, ensuring schools consider the needs of the whole classroom.
She also highlighted pressure facing school leaders, including budget constraints. She said funding that had supported a breakfast club had recently been lost, affecting a service that enabled parents to leave children at school early before going to work. She identified the provision of appropriate hours and personnel for children with additional needs as another challenge.
TransformEd described as major reform
Alistair Hamill, who teaches at Lurgan College, delivered a presentation on TransformEd. He has been part of the team that worked on the strategy, which was launched by Education Minister Paul Givan last year.
Mr Hamill described TransformEd as Northern Ireland’s first major curriculum reform in 20 years. He said it offered an opportunity to examine what effective curriculum and teaching should look like and how schools can help young people become active contributors to society.
He also pointed to workload pressures for teachers and the wider responsibilities now carried by schools as young people face mental-health challenges. While schools remain places of formal education, he said staff also have an important formative influence on pupils.
The event gave teachers from Craigavon, Lurgan and Portadown a chance to consider those pressures collectively before the school year began.