Deanrath Community School Thurs 16th November - Morning

On Thursday I had the great pleasure to make a visit to Deansrath Community College.

It was an amazing experience and I met some really warm and enthusiastic staff there.

From Left, Clodagh O Gorman, FE Co-ordinator Deansrath Community College, Emer Nolan Business Teacher, Heidi and Hans with Niamh O Grady. 

The staff put on an varied programme of events for the Norwegian delegation and it was great to be part of this teacher mobility opportunity.

Niamh O Grady had extended an invitation to me and I was really looking forward to the experience.

Our visit began with a very kind reception with coffee and scones.

Deansrath College is a dual provision school with a secondary school and further education in one building.  Deansrath has 229 further education students on 5 courses most of which are part time 

We received a Presentation by Clodagh O Gorman  FE coordinator  at Deansrath who gave an overview of some of the adminstration procedures for Further Education management at Deansrath. 

An example of the DDLETB interview and assessment standardised procedures was given to the group. 

FETCH HUB Account is used in the college. 

Some of the courses are taught over a 4 days a week with 1 day work experience release. 

Other courses are delivered over 2/3 mornings afternoons and have a 2 week block for work experience. 

Applied Psychology is taught part time over 2 years. 

Students are recruited and enrolled with the use of MIT software for application and offer and when accepted on the course are then migrated onto VSWARE software.  All FE students have swipe card, this  takes attendance and also a paper roll is taken.  

Clodagh is responsible for PLSS - returns to the DSE and early finishers the students 

The group then had the opportunity to attend a class. 

Hans and I attended a class presented by Emer in Consumer legislation as part of the module on Customer Service Level 6. 

I was delighted to have the opportunity to experience this as I teach this module myself. 

Emer Nolan had great teaching techniques including Role play and great Use of questioning. 

The class were very good humoured and seemed to enjoy the session.

Hans and I joined in with the Role Play. 

Pictured here with Hans Ole Møkkelgård are Raphael Aja David Williams and Liam Doran who are studying Customer Service at Level 6 in Deansrath. 

After this quite invigorating session we were joined by Niamh and colleagues and had the benefit of viewing the student resources and facilities at Deansrath.

Viewing the hairdressing training facilities at Deansgrange. 

The adult student have their own seperate common room as is usual with dual provision schools.

Picture here with me at Deansrath Community College in Adults common room is Emma on my left who is studying childcare and Nadia Benjamin on my right who is studying hairdressing. 

We visited the Home economics room and chatted with the teacher (CAN YOU GIVE MER HER NAME NIAMH) about how she organises the preparation for cooking.  There was a light moment when I noticed that the teacher was sporting a Norway Lanyard.  This was a complete co-incidence. We all found that amusing. It was quite surreptitious. 

I heart norway!

After the tour we return to a large bright room where we were treated to an amazing cultural display of Irish Dancing, singing and flute playing by some of the second level students.  It was really spectacular event and quite poignant singing.  Teacher Eimear Carroll played the wooden flute is really talented and the students were really energetic dancers!  It was quite unique. 

Some of the performers from Deansrath Community College 

Video of the wonderful performers in Deansrath.