Dear colleagues

I am pleased to present the Primary Professional Development Service's first annual report for the year ended 31 August 2009. The reporting year was a time of many beginnings and this annual report illustrates the scope, breadth and nature of the support provided to teachers by the PPDS during this time.

The Primary Professional Development Service succeeded in continuing and, more importantly, developing the work of the former Primary Curriculum Support Programme and School Development Planning Service, through the expansion of the support provided to schools and teachers. Notable examples include the provision of support in cross curricular areas and methodologies, and the exploration and development of online professional development for teachers.

Over the course of the year two series of seminars were designed and delivered by the PPDS in English as an Additional Language and the Child Protection Guidelines and Procedures (DES, 2001).

In addition to this, 2,040 schools received support from the PPDS in the implementation of the Primary School Curriculum (DES, 1999) and in organisational and development planning.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Teacher Education Section of the Department of Education and Science which funds the PPDS, as well as the Management Committee of Dublin West Education Centre, the Education Centre Network, and all the schools and teachers that availed of professional development in the interest of improved outcomes for our children. In particular, I would like to thank the PPDS team members for their enthusiasm, energy and expertise in the design and delivery of the service which is outlined in the pages of this report.

Le gach dea-ghuí

Dr Mary McAuliffe (Director, PPDS)  

Annual Report 2008/2009

 PPDS Annual Report 2008/2009 3.45 Mb