School Placement Partner Resources Primary (PME)

School Placement

The School Experience and Professional Practice modules in Hibernia College are designed to provide students with the opportunity to integrate educational theory and practice in a variety of classroom and school contexts. Céim: Standards for Initial Teacher Education (2020) outlines the requirements of school placement and highlights that school placement is the fulcrum of teacher education.

The School Experience and Professional Practice modules are designed to support students in developing the fundamental skills, attitudes, dispositions, understanding and knowledge required for their future role as professional teachers. The modules will introduce some of the essential knowledge and skills that student teachers need to acquire as they develop their practice and deepen their understanding of teachers’ professional knowledge of practice. Students during their school placement blocks, and under the guidance and support of the Treoraí/Treoraithe and the Principal/Deputy Principal, will avail of opportunities for collaborative work with school staff and participate in activities that involve them in the life of the whole school. The school placement modules will present evidence-informed and research-based practices that underpin effective pedagogy and will develop students’ capacity to engage in and reflect upon effective planning, preparation and management of learning with diverse pupils.

It provides student teachers with an opportunity to reflect on their identity as teachers, to develop it and become socialised into the profession.

Céim: Standards for Initial Teacher Education (2020, 17)

Céim: Standards for Initial Teacher Education

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Key messages

Over the course of the two-year programme, students complete 24 weeks of school placement and a minimum of 200 hours in line with Teaching Council requirements.

Placement	Duration	Number of lessons per day	Theme of Placement
SP1	7 weeks	3	The Professional Teacher
SEPP2	7 weeks	4	The Inclusive Teacher
Advanced SEPP	10 weeks	Teaching for full day	The Agentic Teacher

Student teachers must undertake placement in a minimum of two different educational settings over the course of the Professional Master of Education in Primary Education.

Information Sheet for School Placement

School Placement Overview

School Placement Overview On behalf of Hibernia College, we would like to thank you and your staff for your support and co-operation over the years in helping to provide high quality professional preparation for our PME (Primary) student teachers. Below are some details about the PME (Primary) school placement modules at Hibernia College that we hope you will find helpful.

School Placement is carried out in accordance with the Regulations of the Teaching Council in a recognised primary-level school.
All student teachers undergo a Garda Vetting process.
School Placement provides students with the opportunity to become involved with, and actively participate in all aspects of school life. While on placement PME (Primary) students are expected to co-operate, take initiative and involve themselves in a range of school activities, while always remembering that they are guests in the schools that offer them placement.
Schools could provide a brief induction meeting to introduce student teachers, for example, to the school‘s ethos and mission, key policies, including the school’s child protection policy and behaviour policy, pastoral care structures, SEN team and extra-curricular activities.

Student teachers on the PME programme at Hibernia College are expected to:

Students are required to complete three blocks of school placement in a minimum of two different school settings during the PME (Primary)programme.

At the end of all three placement blocks, students will have taught infant (option of SP2 or ASP), middle and senior classes.
In advance of SP1, students will complete one week of observation and complete a detailed observation report- Foundations of Education week. Students are advised to observe, learn and assist in a variety of classes. This week will take place in one mainstream primary school setting.
In advance of SP2, students will complete one week of Special Educational Needs (SEN) observation. This week will take place in a special school, ASD classes or working alongside members of the schools special education (SET) team.

Principal/Deputy Principal/
PME Co-Ordinator

This section will include the: