DEPARTMENT of Education inspectors have heaped praise on Clare hurling legend and principal of St Aidan’s National School Ger Loughnane for his work at the Shannon school.
According to the latest department inspection report of the 14-teacher school, the double All-Ireland winning manager with Clare “has a very strong, visible presence in the school. He provides decisive, committed leadership and accordingly the school is very effectively managed.”
The report goes on to state that Mr Loughnane “is very supportive of the staff and the school community. Over the course of the evaluation, it was reported by staff that his regular, affirming interaction with pupils has a very positive impact on their academic and social development.”
Mr Loughnane has served in his role since 1982 and in that time the co-ed school has expanded with a new school built in 1987 to educate 267 students today,
The positive report on the school goes on to state: “The principal is ably supported by a deputy principal and four special-duties post holders who engage in a range of duties. Post holders carry out their duties diligently and they work with a sense of camaraderie as a mutually supportive team.
“There is evidence that post holders have provided some purposeful guidance in relation to whole-school curriculum planning and implementation and it is noted that there is readiness to extend this role. Accordingly, the school’s capacity to further improve is good.”
The report also stated that “the principal and in-school management team assume a more active role in relation to curricular leadership and in overseeing the implementation of the school plan from class to class.”
It adds: “In particular, there is a need to ensure that the approaches and methodologies outlined in the whole-school plan are put into practice consistently throughout the school.
“A more specific focus on the use of child-centred teaching methodologies as observed in some classes is also needed. In order to assist teachers to develop as reflective practitioners, it is advised that progress in relation to curricular implementation be evaluated more regularly through review and discussion. Additionally, it is advised that long-term and short-term goals for development in specific aspects of the curriculum be identified and addressed at whole-school level.”
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