Programme 351, Páiric Clerkin at the IPPN Conference 2019 (30-1-19)

Presented and produced by Seán Delaney

Theme tune by David Vesey.

This week I bring you the first of my interviews recorded at the 2019 annual conference of the Irish Primary Principals' Network. The theme of the conference was Sustainable Leadership: Challenges and Opportunities. My interview today is with the Chief Executive Officer of the Network, Páiric Clerkin. Among the various topics discussed this week are:

• Relief from teaching duties on one day a week for teaching principals
• Restoration of posts of responsibility in larger schools
• Establishment of the Primary Education Forum (Calendar of reform)
• Problems in schools arising from children who are homeless or in direct provision
• His priorities for the year ahead (mentoring and the Centre for School Leadership; redeveloping online services)
• Members’ positive response to the address by the Minister for Education and Skills
• Applying for a position as School Principal
• Prioritising for principals and making school leadership "doable"
• Teachers’ developing their expertise in areas they’re passionate about
• Transitioning into the role of CEO of the IPPN
• The writings of Andy Hargreaves