Thousands of children and young people to have increased access to creative activities in schools as part of Arts Council led initiative of the Creative Ireland Programme
Today, 150 schools across Ireland, reflecting all types of education settings across the country, have been chosen to participate in the Scoileanna Ildánacha/Creative Schools pilot programme. Launched earlier this year by Minister Bruton and Minister Madigan, the programme is a central initiative of Pillar 1 of the Government’s Creative Ireland Programme, which puts the arts and creativity at the heart of children and young people’s lives.
Chosen from over 400 applicants, schools will include primary schools, secondary schools, Youthreach centres, special schools, DEIS schools, co-educational schools, rural, urban, single-sex and Irish-language medium schools. Work will begin in September 2018 and run through to the end of the school year in 2019.
In their application, schools had to explain how their participation would support learning and development in the arts and creativity, their capacity to engage as a school and their plans for ensuring that children and young people play an active role in developing, implementing and evaluating their work as a Creative School. Through the programme, the Arts Council is engaging with children and young people across the country enabling their creativity and linking them in with the arts and creative infrastructure in their locality and nationally.
Schools selected for the pilot will be provided with a package of support which includes funding and expertise from a Creative Associate to enable them to explore the potential impact of the arts and creativity on school life. With the support of their Creative Associate, schools will develop a Creative School plan and design a unique programme that responds to the needs and priorities of their school. This process will support children and young people to challenge themselves in new ways, to gain in confidence and to take a more active role in learning.
Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht Josepha Madigan T.D., said:
“Today is a hugely significant moment, not just for the Creative Ireland Programme, but for the thousands of children and young people who will have the opportunity to experience creativity as a key part of school life.
Today, we reinforce the idea that the arts are a powerful means through which our children and young people can develop their creative capacities and skills, which in turn will help guide and empower them as they embark upon their own journeys of discovery, inspiration and achievement.
I am delighted that every county across the country will have the opportunity to participate in the pilot Creative Schools programme and to see the range and diversity of schools who will begin the programme in September. Today’s announcement would not be possible without the support of my colleague Minister Bruton and the passion and commitment of the Arts Council and the many artists who will be involved in bringing the Creative Schools programme to life in the coming weeks and months.”
Minister Bruton said:
“I would like to congratulate the 150 schools who have been selected to participate in this first phase of Creative Schools. This initiative underlines the importance that arts and creativity can play in our education system, not just as a curriculum subject, but as a vital part of the personal development and creative expression of our children and young people.
Every child has the ability within them to be creative and through this initiative, and the support and resources of the team of Creative Associates working with teachers and students, they will have the opportunity to explore the world around them and discover a new way of learning.
I am delighted that the Department of Education and Skills is collaborating with the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht and the Arts Council on this exciting initiative of the Creative Ireland Programme and I look forward to visiting some of the Creative Schools later this year.”
The initiative is important because the arts are a powerful means through which children and young people can explore communication and collaboration, stimulate their imaginations to be inventive, and harness their curiosity. Engagement in the arts and creativity requires rigour, discipline and resilience, nurturing learners’ sense of agency and self-worth. This combination of skills underpins all successful learning.
Director of the Arts Council, Orlaith McBride said;
“We are extremely grateful to all schools that applied to participate in this initiative as they have demonstrated the value they place on the arts and creativity in their schools and their commitment to this area. There is clearly a strong appetite in schools across Ireland to ensure their students have more opportunities to fully engage with the arts. We hope all schools will continue to engage with the Creative Schools initiative as it develops. We value the work of our partners at local and national level and hope this initiative will support schools to fully engage with the arts and cultural resources in their community, to develop and share best practice, and maximise the impact and reach of arts and cultural programmes and resources available to schools.”
McBride continued:
“We are delighted to be partnering with the Department of Education and Skills and the Department of Culture, Heritage and Gaeltacht for this initiative, as by working together we can better plan and provide for children and young people. Creative Schools is significant not only because of the benefits it promises in terms of young people’s learning and wellbeing, but because it enables us to ensure children and young people have better opportunities to fully participate in our cultural life in Ireland.”
The schools that have been awarded are the following:
BORDER REGION - Cavan, Donegal, Leitrim, Monaghan & Sligo
- Beech Hill College, Monaghan, Co Monaghan
- Coláiste Ailigh, Cnoc Na Móna, Letterkenny, Co Donegal
- Coláiste Dún An Rí, Kingscourt, Co Cavan
- Gairmscoil Mhic Diarmada, Leabgarrow, Arranmore Island, Co Donegal
- Glenmaquin NS, Glenmaquin, Letterkenny, Co Donegal
- Glenswilly National School, Glenswilly, New Mills, Letterkenny, Co Donegal
- Killavil National School, Killavil, Ballymote, Co Sligo
- Knocktemple NS, Virginia, Co Cavan
- Saint Hugh's NS, Dowra, Co Leitrim
- Scoil Athphoirt, Aphort, Arranmore Island, Co Donegal
- Scoil Mhuire, Dublin Road, Carrick-on-Shannon, Co Leitrim
- Scoil Naomh Eanna, Carraroe, Co Sligo
- Scoil Treasa Naofa, Drumcarbit, Malin, Co Donegal
- St Blaithin's National School, St Johnston, Lifford, Co Donegal
- St Patrick's Girls National School, Convent Road, Carndonagh, Co Donegal
- St Patrick's NS, Loch Gowna, Co Cavan
- St Safan's NS, Drumdoit, Castlefinn, Co Donegal
- St. Mary's NS, Ballyhaise, Co Cavan
WEST REGION - Mayo, Roscommon & Galway
- Athenry Boys School, Knockaunglas, Athenry, Co Galway
- Barnacogue NS, Barnacogue, Swinford, Co Mayo
- Castlebar Educate Together NS, Marsh House, Newtown, Castlebar, Co Mayo
- Coláiste Mhuire Ballygar, Co Galway
- Eglish NS, Ahascragh, Ballinasloe, Co Galway
- Gaelscoil De Híde, Cnoc na Crúibe, Bóthar na Gaillimhe, Ros Comáin
- Galway Educate Together National School, Thomas Hynes Road, Newcastle, Co Galway
- Glanduff NS, Glanduff, Kiltoom, Athlone, Co Roscommon
- Gortskehy NS, Annefield, Hollymount, Co Mayo
- Knocknacarra Educate Together, Brooklawn House, Galway West Business Park, Western Distributor Road, Knocknacarra, Co Galway
- Killeen National School, Killeen, Louisburgh, Co Mayo
- Mount Talbot NS, Mount Talbot, Co Roscommon
- Scoil Naisiúnta Na Naomh Uile, Cleggan, Clifden, Co Galway
- Scoil Chroí Íosa, Newcastle Road, Co Galway
- Scoil Sailearna, Na Haille, Indreabhán, Co Na Gaillimhe
- Snugboro NS, Snugboro, Castlebar, Co Mayo
- St Joseph's Secondary School, The Lawn, Castlebar, Co Mayo
- St Oliver's Special School, The Glebe, Tuam, Co Galway
- St. Anthony's Special School, Humbert Way, Castlebar, Co Mayo
- St. Patrick's De La Salle Boys' National School, Upper Chapel Street, Castlebar, Co Mayo
- Tuam Educate Together National School, Dublin Road, Tuam, Co Galway
- Youthreach Portumna, Abbey Street, Portumna, Co Galway
MIDLANDS REGION - Laois, Longford, Offaly & Westmeath
- Ard Scoil Charain Naofa, Frederick St, Clara, Co Offaly
- Ardnagrath National School, Ardnagrath, Walderstown, Athlone, Co Westmeath
- Coosan National School, Castlequarter, Coosan, Athlone, Co Westmeath
- Gaelscoil Longfoirt, Fearann Uí Dhugáin, Co Longford
- Holy Family Junior School, Aughnaharna, Portlaoise, Co Laois
- Sandy Lane National School, Sandy Lane, Portarlington, Co Laois
- Scoil Bhríde, Harpurs Lane, Knockmay, Portlaoise, Co Laois
- Scoil Eoin Phóil II Naofa, Arden View, Tullamore, Co Offaly
- Scoil Na Gceithre Maistrí, Brawney Road, Lissywollen, Athlone, Co Westmeath
- St Mary's Secondary School, Edenderry, Co Offaly
- St. Michael's BNS, St. Mel's Road, Co Longford
MID-EAST REGION - Kildare, Louth, Meath & Wicklow
- Baconstown National School, Saint Patrick's Primary School, Baconstown, Enfield, Co Meath
- Bunscoil Buachaillí Réalt Na Mara, Donacarney, Mornington, Drogheda, Co Louth
- Coláiste Pobail Ráth Chairn, Ráth Chairn, Athboy, Co Meath
- Greystones Community National School, Greystones Rugby Club, Mill Road, Greystones, Co Wicklow
- Kilcommon National School, Tinahely, Arklow, Co Wicklow
- North Wicklow Educate Together Secondary School, Putland Road, Bray, Co Wicklow
- Scoil An Linbh Íosa, Prosperous, Co Kildare
- Scoil Mhichil Naofa, Athy, Co Kildare
- Scoil Mhuire Junior School, Ballymany, Newbridge, Co Kildare
- Scoil Mhuire, Heronstown NS, Lobinstown, Navan, Co Meath
- Sn Muire Gan Smál, Cartown, Termonfeckin, Drogheda, Co Louth
- St Brigid’s Special School, Ard Easmuinn, Dundalk Co Louth
- St Kilian's Community School, Boghall Road, Ballywaltrim, Bray, Co Wicklow
- St Mary's College, St Mary's Road, Arklow, Co Wicklow
- St Oliver's National School, Dundalk Street, Carlingford, Dundalk, Co Louth
- St. Louis NS Rathkenny, School Road, Rathkenny, Navan, Co Meath
- Tullyallen National School, Tullyallen, Drogheda, Co Louth
- Two Mile House National School, Two Mile House, Stephenstown South, Naas, Co Kildare
DUBLIN REGION
- Balbriggan Educate Together National School, Hamlet Lane, Moylaragh, Balbriggan, Co Dublin
- Ballymun Youthreach, Main Road, Ballymun, Dublin 11
- Balrothery NS, St. Oliver Plunkett's NS, Balrothery, Balbriggan, Co Dublin
- Belmayne Educate Together National School, North Belmayne, Dublin 13, Co Dublin
- Beneavin De La Salle College, Beneavin Road, Finglas, Dublin 11
- Coláiste Mhuire, Ratoath Road, Dublin 7
- Central Remedial Clinic School, Penny Ansley Building, Vernon Avenue, Clontarf, Dublin 3
- Dublin 7 Educate Together National School, Grangegorman Lower, Dublin 7
- Dún Laoghaire Educate Together National School, The Red Door School, Monkstown Grove, Monkstown Avenue, Monkstown
- Griffith Barracks Multi Denominational Primary School, Clogher Road, Dublin 12
- Lucan Educate Together National School, Mount Bellew Way, Willsbrook, Lucan, Co Dublin
- Lusk Community College, Raheny Lane, Rathmore Road, Lusk, Co Dublin
- Margaret Aylward Community College, The Thatch Road, Whitehall
- Mary Queen Of Angels 2, Boys National School, Gurteen Road, Ballyfermot, Dublin 10
- Monkstown Educate Together NS, Kill Avenue, Dún Laoghaire, Co Dublin
- Presentation Primary Warrenmount, Blackpitts, Dublin 8
- Rathfarnham Educate Together National School, Loreto Avenue, Rathfarnham, Dublin 14
- Shellybanks ETNS, RDS, Simmonscourt Road, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4
- SS Peter & Paul JNS, Chapel Street, Balbriggan, Co Dublin
- St Brigids JNS, Brookfield, Dublin 24
- St Fintan's High School, Dublin Road, Sutton, Dublin 13
- St John Of God GNS, Kilmore Road, Artane, Dublin 3
- St Mary's Holy Faith Secondary School, Old Finglas Road, Glasnevin, Dublin 11
- St Michael's House Special School, Ballymun Road, Ballygal, Dublin 9
- St. Oliver Plunkett's Junior National School, St Helena's Road, Finglas South, Dublin 11
- Stepaside Educate Together Secondary School, Belarmine Vale, Stepaside, Co Dublin
- Templeogue College, Templeville Road, Templeogue, Dublin 6W
SOUTH EAST REGION - Carlow, Kilkenny, Wexford & Waterford
- Ballycullane NS, Ballycullane, New Ross, Co Wexford
- Bunscoil Loreto, St. Michael's Road, Gorey, Co Wexford
- Bunscoil Rís Edmund Rice Senior Primary, Castlemoyle, New Ross, Co WexfordCreagh College, Carnew Road, Creagh, Gorey, Co Wexford
- Crehana National School, Carrick-Beg NS, Carrick Beg, Carrick-on-Suir, Co Tipperary
- Gaelscoil Osraí, Loch Buí, Cill Chainnigh
- Kiltealy NS, Enniscorthy, Co Wexford
- Loreto Secondary School, Spawell Road, Wexford, Co Wexford
- Mayo National School, Scoil Mhuire Muigheo, Mayo, Crettyard, Co Carlow
- Scoil Mhuire Davidstown, Enniscorthy, Co Wexford
- Scoil Naomh Maodhóg, Ferns, Enniscorthy, Co Wexford
- St Patrick's NS, Scoil Náisiúnta Naomh Pádraig, Ballymurphy, Borris, Co Carlow
- St. Brigid's National School, Kells, Co Kilkenny
- St. Paul's Community College, Browne's Road, Lisduggan, Waterford City
SOUTH WEST REGION - Cork & Kerry
- Barryroe National School, Lislevane, Bandon, Co Cork
- Canovee National School, Canovee, Carrigadrohid, Co Cork
- CBS Primary, Scoil na mBráithe, Baker's Road, Charleville, Co Cork
- Cloghroe NS, Cloghroe, Co Cork
- Coláiste Daibhéid, Teach Buckingham, Sráid An Mhuilinn Sábhadóireachta, Corcaigh
- Colaiste Muire, Realt Na Mara, Crosshaven, Co Cork
- Dripsey National School, Dripsey, Co Cork
- Edmund Rice College, Carrigaline, Co Cork
- Faha NS, Faha, Killarney, Co Kerry
- Fybough NS, Castlemaine, Tralee, Co Kerry
- Gaelscoil Mhachan, Ave. De Rennes, Machan Corcaigh
- Glasheen Girls School, School Avenue, Glasheen Road, Co Cork
- Pobalscoil Inbhear Sceine, Kenmare, Co Kerry
- Presentation Primary School, Castle St, Tralee, Co Kerry
- Scoil Barra Buachaillí/Beaumont Boys School, Cork, Woodvale Road, Beaumont, Co Cork
- Scoil Bernadette, Bonnington, Montenotte, Co Cork
- Scoil Bhríde Crosshaven, Scoil Bhríde, Crosshaven, Co Cork
- Scoil Eoin Balloonagh, Balloonagh, Tralee, Co Kerry
- Scoil Mhuire Agus Eoin, Boherboy Road, Mayfield, Co Cork
- Skibbereen Community School, Skibbereen, Co Cork
- St Killian's Special School, Westgate Road, Bishopstown, Co Cork
- St Luke's National School, Churchyard Lane, Douglas, Co Cork
- St. Vincent's Convent Primary School, St. Mary's Road, Co Cork
- Youthreach Knocnaheeny, Knocknaheeny, Co Cork
MID WEST REGION - Clare, Tipperary & Limerick
- Ardscoil Mhuire, Corbally, Co Limerick
- Caherconlish National School, High Street, Caherconlish, Co Limerick
- Corpus Christi Primary School, Moyross, Limerick City
- Doora NS, Doora, Ennis, Co Clare
- Liscannor National School, Castle Street, Liscannor, Co Clare
- Mount Bruis NS, Mount Bruis, Co Tipperary
- Our Lady Queen Of Peace National School, O'Donoghue Avenue, Janesboro, Co Limerick
- Powerstown NS, Powerstown, Clonmel, Co Tipperary
- Presentation Secondary School, Dungarvan Road, Clonmel, Co Tipperary
- Scoil Na Mbráithre, Doon CBS, Doon, Co Limerick
- Sixmilebridge National School, Sixmilebridge, Co Clare
- St. Joseph's Primary, Murgasty Road, Tipperary Town, Co Tipperary
- St. Mary's BNS, Church Street, Abbeyfeale, Co Limerick
- St. Mary's Central NS, Killenaule, Thurles, Co Tipperary
- St. Michael's Girls' National School, St. Michael Street, Tipperary Town, Co Tipperary
- The Abbey School, Station Road, Co Tipperary
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