Centre for European Schooling
The Centre for European schooling is entirely devoted to the education of children who would be considered as Category I students in a European School. The Centre for European School is an Accredited European School: the Centre was inspected by a team of European Schools Inspectors in May 2006 and in May 2007. Under the terms of the Accreditation Agreement the Centre will undergo regular evaluations in order to verify that European Schooling is being offered in accordance with the terms of the Accreditation Agreement.
Participation in classes in English is certainly a challenge for pupils who have little understanding of the language but with the support of the CES and the cooperation between mainstream and CES teachers pupils manage to settle very well into their new school.
The pupils are fully integrated into the mainstream schools and whether they transfer to a European School, return to their own country or complete their education in Ireland they will have been enriched by their experiences here in Dunshaughlin. Their mainstream classes also appreciate the presence of the students and learn first hand the value of learning another language.
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Some features of the CES programme in St. Seachnall’s N.S. and in Dunshaughlin Community College:
- The CES students follow mainstream Irish post primary school programmes (www.ncca.ie) and attend First Language classes when Irish is taught in their mainstream class groups
- Supplementary English classes are provided where necessary to facilitate students’ swift integration into their class groups
- The study of a First Foreign Language is introduced where practicable in First Class at St. Seachnall’s N.S. while the study of a Second Foreign Language is available in First Year at Dunshaughlin Community College
- Students’ learning is enhanced by a link with the European Schools system.
General Objectives of the Centre for European Schooling
- To provide mother tongue and second language tuition in line with European Schools curricula
- to foster an understanding and appreciation of the diversity of European peoples, their languages and culture within the centre and within the mainstream primary and secondary schools
- To facilitate and support integration of students enrolled at the Centre into mainstream classes in primary and in secondary schools
- To prepare students for integration into a European School To promote links with the European Schools system in order to supplement and enhance pupils’ learning.
CES Staff:
Director: Una Barton Tel: 087 2496663
Teaching Staff
|
Name |
Nationality |
Subject/s |
|
Agnieszka |
Adamska |
Polish |
Teacher of Polish |
|
Liselotte |
Ameye |
Belgian |
Teacher of Dutch, ESL and Ethics |
|
Caroline |
Aoust |
Belgian |
Teacher of French |
|
Stina |
Björkman |
Swedish |
Teacher of Swedish and ESL |
|
Ginevra |
Chiozzi |
Italian |
Teacher of Italian and Ethics |
|
Nollaig |
Gavin |
Irish |
Teacher of ESL |
|
Rita |
Jorge |
Portuguese |
Teacher of Portuguese |
|
Corinne |
Martinez |
French |
Teacher of French |
|
Narcis |
Perich |
Spanish |
Teacher of Spanish |
|
Petra |
Klecková |
Czech |
Teacher of Czech |
|
Rosa |
Rocchia |
Spanish |
Teacher of Spanish |
|
Robert |
Tákács |
Slovakian |
Teacher of Hungarian and Ethics |
|
Stefania |
Tornambene |
German/Italian |
Teacher of German |
|
|
|
|
|
Language teachers are recruited locally by Co. Meath Vocational Education Committee and teachers’ salaries are in line with national teaching salary rates. When vacancies become available advertisements are place in local and national press and teaching positions are also advertised internationally via the internet. Teachers are recruited following an interview process: authentic documents together with official translations are required and references are checked where practicable.
Curriculum and examinations
European Schools’ syllabi are used for L1 and L11 in primary and in secondary school. In addition, elements of the curricula of European Schools are used in the Centre, for example, European Hours and Ethics. The students follow mainstream curricula for all other subjects and may sit Irish State examinations at the end of Third and Sixth Year.
Assessments and reports
Assessment of pupils’ progress and reporting to parents is regular, thorough and ongoing.
Primary school:
o Evaluation of pupils’ progress is carried out every six weeks approx. according to the school calendar and assessment, which is harmonised across languages, is forwarded to Co-ordinator.
o In line with European schools practice, a general report is issued to parents at the end of the school year and an interim report is issued in February.
o Interim and end of year reports are based on the report format of the European schools.
Secondary school:
o Evaluation of pupils’ progress is carried out every six weeks approx. according to the school calendar and assessment, which is harmonised across languages, is forwarded to Co-ordinator.
House examinations take place at the end of each term and reports are issued to parents in January and June. Centre for European Schooling Reports are based on the format of European Schools Reports for L1, L11, Ethics and European Hours. St. Seachnall’s National School Reports are those used in the Irish education system and are issued at the end of each academic year.
Role of Parents
Parents play an important and positive role in the life of the Centre for European Schooling and the CES Parents’ Association encourages support for and interest in the CES and its pupils. The Parents’ Association provides parents and guardians with a forum to discuss matters of mutual interest and concern. The CES Parents’ Association also lends practical assistance to the CES a representative of the Association is a member of the CES Management Advisory Committee which meets on four occasions each year.