Extension of deadline for schools to participate in the Summer Programme 2024

Minister for Education, Norma Foley TD, and Minister of State at the Department of Education with special responsibility for Special Education and Inclusion, Hildegarde Naughton TD, have today announced the extension of the deadline for schools to participate in the Summer Programme 2024. The date is being extended from 26 April to 17 May.

The Summer Programme provides activities over the summer months for children with complex special educational needs and those at greatest risk of educational disadvantage, so that they can be supported, nurtured and encouraged in a fun and inclusive educational setting.

Around €40 million will be invested in this year's Summer Programme.

To date 1,169 schools have registered to participate in the Summer Programme 2024, this includes 857 primary schools of which 721 have applied for the Primary School Scheme and 203 have applied for the DEIS Literacy & Numeracy Summer Camp. In addition, 98 post-primary schools and 47 special schools have also applied for the Summer Programme.

Minister Foley said the deadline for the Summer Programme was being extended to encourage as many schools as is possible to get involved.

"It's incredibly important we get as many schools as is possible to participate in this year's Summer Programme particularly children with the most complex needs. The Summer Programme makes a real difference to children and their parents. It enhances the wellbeing and learning of children, it increases their self-confidence and broadens their friendships. It's also an important support for parents of children with special educational needs, for many it's their child's first participation in an organised summer activity."

Minister Naughton said that all primary, post-primary and special education schools have an opportunity to run a programme over the summer months.

"Summer provision for children and young people with special educational needs and those at risk of educational disadvantage is central to helping to ensure equity of opportunity in education, as well as the promotion of engagement in education and wellbeing. It is widely acknowledged that interactions with peers play a pivotal role in the development of children and young people, providing a unique context in which children learn a range of critical social emotional skills."

Last year's Programme benefitted over 50,000 students. Last year 886 primary schools applied for the Primary School Scheme, compared to 721 so far this year, and 336 primary schools applied for the DEIS Literacy & Numeracy Summer Camp, compared to 203 so far this year. In addition, 160 post-primary schools and 59 special schools applied for the Summer Programme last year, compared to 98 post-primary schools and 47 special schools so far this year.

This year, there is also a dedicated national Summer Programme co-ordinator to support schools and all schools are encouraged to pick up the phone and seek assistance.

Schools can email [email protected] or contact the department's helpline on 09064 84292.

Notes to Editor

Summer Programme schemes

Special School Pilot Scheme

It is a priority that more children in special schools have access to a school-based programme.

This year, the Special School Programme continues as a pilot initiative to ensure there is a real focus on supporting special schools. This programme has been designed and developed to ensure supports are targeted to enhance the availability of a school-based programme for pupils in special schools.

The Special School Pilot programme is designed to ensure supports are targeted to:

• Enhance the availability of school based programmes in special schools

• Coordinate and support children's access to such a programme

• Assist with the identification of staffing needs and resources

• Reduce the administrative burden associated with leading and managing a school-based programme

For special schools, a Summer Programme National Coordinator is again appointed.

This person will continue to liaise with schools, the department and education centres to facilitate the organisation of programmes.

A portal will again be available for teachers and SNAs to register their interest in working on a school based programme in a special school. Student teachers and students in relevant disciplines such as therapy, social care and nursing and others, including early childcare workers and carers, will also be able to register their interest in working on such programmes.

The length of the day is reduced from the full school day to 10am - 2pm but the same daily rate will be paid to staff taking part. This again recognises the challenges associated with running the programme in a special school.

In order to reflect the unique circumstances that arise in a special school during the summer months, additional grant funding of €2,000 will be provided for each week that a special school provides a school-based Summer Programme.

The Special School Scheme can run for two to five weeks anytime during the school summer holidays and not just in July.

Primary School schemes

In addition, there are two in-school schemes at mainstream primary level:

• The Primary School Scheme for pupils in mainstream primary schools, which provides one cohesive scheme, combining the Inclusion programme and special classes

• The DEIS-expanded Literacy and Numeracy Summer Camp/Campa Samhraidh for pupils in DEIS schools. This is available to all schools in the DEIS scheme, including those that received their new DEIS status in September 2022.

The Primary School Scheme replaces and integrates both the Inclusion Programme and Special Class elements from previous years into one cohesive special educational needs scheme for mainstream primary schools.

The Primary School Scheme can run for two to four weeks anytime during the school summer holidays and not just in July.

Schools can form groups of up to 12 pupils supported by one teacher and one SNA. There is no the limit on the number of groups participating in a school. However, if groups primarily consist of pupils from special classes then sizes of the groups can be adjusted accordingly to be more reflective of pupil:teacher ratios utilised in the normal school year. For example, groups can consist of up to six pupils with complex needs, with other remaining places being allocated to pupils at risk of educational disadvantage.

The Primary School Scheme also offers an opportunity for schools to address the needs of migrant students such as addressing English language skills and integration, including students from Ukraine and other countries.

If there are more than six children with complex needs in a group, schools can apply to the department for additional resources.

Schools can also apply for additional SNA support to ensure participating pupils have similar SNA support to what they receive during the school year.

To do so or to appeal any aspect of the resource allocation granted to their school, schools can email [email protected] or contact the department's helpline on 09064 84292.

Post-Primary Scheme

The Post-Primary Scheme can run for two weeks anytime during the school summer holidays.

Schools can form groups of up to 12 students supported by one teacher and one SNA. This year, the limit on the number of groups based on school size has been removed.

Like in the Primary Scheme, if groups primarily consist of pupils from special classes then sizes of the groups can be adjusted accordingly to be more reflective of pupil:teacher ratios utilised in the normal school year.

For example, groups can consist of up to six students with complex needs with other remaining places being allocated to students at risk of educational disadvantage.

The Post-Primary Scheme also offers an opportunity for schools to address the needs of migrant students such as addressing English language skills and integration, including students from Ukraine and other countries.

If there are more than six students with complex special educational needs in a group, schools can apply to the department for additional resources.

Schools can also apply for additional SNA support to ensure participating students have similar SNA support to what they receive during the school year.

To do so or to appeal any aspect of the resource allocation granted to their school, schools can email [email protected] or contact the department's helpline on 09064 84292.

Home-Based Programme

Where a school is not running a Summer Programme or a place on a school-based or alternative programme is unavailable, children and young people with complex special educational needs will be able to apply for the Home-Based Programme.

Details of the Home-Based Programme will be published at a later date, as in previous years. However, in recognition of the Department's preference for summer programmes to transact in a class-setting, the Department can facilitate a group provider to participate in the home-based programme. To this end, the Department welcomes expression of interest from prospective providers.