What is School Self-Evaluation?
In 2012, all post-primary schools in Ireland were asked to commence a process of School self-evaluation (SSE). SSE is primarily about schools taking ownership of their own development and improvement. In the first phase schools focused on teaching and learning and the SSE process helped them to identify aspects of school provision that were strengths, as well as areas that may have required development.
The SSE process provides a way for schools to systematically plan for, implement and monitor changes and improvements in aspects of practice that they have identified as priorities. It is a six-step process of internal school review that is a collaborative, inclusive and reflective. An evidence-based approach, it involves gathering information from a range of sources, and then making judgments - all of this with a view to bring about improvements in students’ learning.
Here in St. Joseph’s Secondary School, Tulla we are actively engaged in the SSE process. The process has seen staff and students focus on the following areas for development in the recent years:
2016 - 2017: Numeracy and Literacy
2017 - 2018: Oral Presentation Skills
2018 - 2019: Use of Learning Intentions within our Classrooms
2020 - 2021: Phase 1 of Enhancing School Wide Digital Literacy
2021 - 2022: Phase 2 of Enhancing School Wide Digital Literacy
2022 - 2023: Maximising Instructional Time within One Hour Classes, Peer Observation Cycle 1, Equity and Inclusion focusin classes
2023 - 2024: Maximising Instructional Time within One Hour Classes ctd, Peer Observation Cycle 2, A Review of Wellbeing Provision, Introduction to Athena
2024 - 2025: A PREP for Success focus in all classes. Peer Observation Cycle 3. Further use of Athena as a tool to track the academic progress of our students
2025 - 2026 - A PREP for Success focus in all classes continued. Peer Observation Cycle 4. Extending the use of Athena as a tool to track the academic progress of our students. Homework Policy Implementation.
Below is an extract of our SJT homework policy which was reviewed and updated during the 24/25 academic year. Thank you to the Parents Council for their participation in updating this policy.
Roles and Responsibilities of Parents/Guardians in relation to homework:
· Encourage and support students to spend sufficient time on homework and revision each night
· Monitor homework, examine the homework journal regularly
· Support the school with any sanctions given to deal with incomplete homework
· Provide teachers with a note of explanation for incomplete or failure to complete homework
· Ensure that if a student is absent from class, they make every effort to keep homework and notes up to date
· Contact the school if there are difficulties with homework - the school journal may be used for this communication
· Maintain awareness of homework requirements through school communication channels and parent-teacher meetings
Duration of Homework and Study:
The duration of the homework and study should be appropriate to the level and ability of the student. The recommended time to be spent per year group to nightly homework is as follows:
· 1st year: 1 to 2 hours
· 2nd year: 1.5 to 2 hours
· 3rd year: 2 to 3 hours
· 4th year: will vary depending on amount of project work
· 5th year: 3 hours
· 6th year: 3+ hours
These guidelines represent total homework time across all subjects. Students should be encouraged to create a homework timetable to manage their workload effectively. During examination periods, additional time may be required for revision.
NOTE: the entire Homework Policy is available on our school website www.sjt.ie