St.Marys

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(Microsoft Word document)

Work Experience

March 09
Though St. Mary’s has welcomed student teachers from the time the school was founded we have never had a written policy in place. In recent years the number of applicants for various types of work experience has greatly increased. At this point in time it is felt necessary to have such a policy in place. This policy was drafted in March 2009 following consultation with staff.
St. Mary’s Boys ’National School welcomes student teachers, transition year students and other categories of student seeking to gain work experience in the school.
The school recognizes its obligation to share best educational practice with those seeking to gain experience in a school setting and will host students in accordance with the capacity of the school to accommodate such students and in accordance with the willingness and availability of teachers to accommodate them.
The following requirements apply to all categories of work experience at St Mary’s .
The following documentation must be furnished by each applicant seeking a work placement:
Letter of Application to the Principal complete with details of the work experience being sought and documentation from the relevant school or college .This does not apply to students from MIE (Marino Institute of Education), Froebal College Blackrock and St.Patirick’s College Drumcondra or any other college which traditionally applies directly to the school for placements for students at St.Mary’s.
Copy of insurance cert from the school or college which the student is attending.
The Adult Volunteer form , whereby the student or volunteer signs a declaration stating that thereis no criminal offence which would prevent him/her from working with young children, must be signed
The principal of the school, as an agent of the Board of Management and charged with the day-to-day running of the school, reserves the right to refuse or allow applicants a work placement in the school.
All categories ofare expected to respect the ethos of the school and to work under the direction of the principal and the teacher/ staff member to whom they are assigned.
Punctuality is essential for all work experience students.It is important to arrive on time, take breaks at the allotted time and not to leave school before the designated time.
All students are expected to dress neatly and in accordance with normal practice in the school. This may be summarized as” neat casual” with no body piercings (apart from earrings) or tattoos to be visible.
All members of staff, pupils and the school community will be treated with the utmost courtesy and respect. Failure to abide by this code of behavior may result in the termination of the work experience placement
Equally, members of staff are required to treat students with courtesy and respect and to guide and mentor them as applicable.
Confidentiality in relation to all matters relating to teachers, support staff, pupils and the organization and administration of the school is an essential pre-requisite for students on work placements. Breaches of confidentialityrelation to the school will be treated with the utmost seriousness.
Student Teachers
St. Mary’s BNS welcomes student teachers and recognizes its obligation to share best practice with student teachers. The school maintains close links with Colleges of Education in Dublin, Marino Institute of Education, Froebel College and St Patrick’s College of Education, and accommodates students from these colleges annually.
Fully probated teachers at St .Mary’s are eligible to host a student teacher.
St. Mary’s will host student teachers in accordance with the school’sto accommodate them.
St.Mary’s does not normally host student teachers in September /October.
The accommodation of student teachers is ultimately at the discretion of the principal.
Hosting a student teacher is dependent on the willingness and generosity of teachers and staff in the school. No teacher will be obliged to host a student teacher.Teachers may decide , for a variety ofreasons, that they are not in a position to host a student at a particular time.
As a general rule teachers at St Mary’s will host student teachers on one occasion per year only.
All student teachers are expected to behave in a professional manner at all times , to abide by the school’s child protection policy and to maintain confidentiality in relation tothe pupils, parents and staff at St.Mary’s and to dress appropriately.
Should it become apparent that the student teacher is not carrying out his/her duties in a professionaland satisfactory manner theclass teacher is advised to refer the matter to the principal who will bring the matter to the attention of the teaching practice department at the College of Education .
Likewise for all others on work experience if they are not acting in a responsible, co operative manner the principal should be informed.

Transition year Students
Preference will be given to past pupils of St. Mary’s and to others who have a connection with the school.
Transition year studentsunder the direction of theand the class teacher/ staff member to whom they are assigned.
The accommodation of transition year students is ultimately at the discretion of the principal.
The application / record sheet will be completed and signed by the student seeking work experience.
Success criteria
The success of this policy will be measured by using the following criteria.
Ongoing assessment
Ongoing feedback from staff
Implementation, Roles and responsibilities
The Principal is responsible for its implementation. The Principal is responsible for keeping applications / record forms.
Timeframe
This policy will be implemented from June 2009 following approval of the Board of Management.
Review
This policy will be reviewed by the Principal in consultation with staff when it is deemed necessary to do so.
Ratification and communication
This policy was presented to the staff and Parents’ Association in March 2009 for consultation and recommendations. Subsequently it was presented to the Board for approval and ratification.
It was ratified by the Board of Management on ________________.
Signed:________________________ Date________
Edward Fitzgerald Chairman