Claddagh Glen Learning Community launch their pioneering development

South West Fermanagh’s four primary schools have officially come together to launch their Claddagh Glen Learning Community.

Since 2009 St Mary’s Mullymesker, Florencecourt, St Mary’s Killesher and St Naile’s Kinawley have been involved in the design and implementation of a series of activities supported through the Shared Education Programme.

Alan Williamson, Principal of Florencecourt PS said “Shared Education has greatly enriched the teaching and learning experience for pupils, enhanced professional development for staff and has helped develop closer community relations. As the relationships between our schools deepened the quality of the classes increased. The linkages have made us stronger. Looking to the future our Learning Community aims to expand on the positive and enriching experiences.”

During their formal launch event at the Larganess Centre, Florencecourt, pupils reflected on the work they have done together, the friends they have made and how much they want shared education to continue. The children were encouraged to understand similarities, respect differences and link into their local community, working with initiatives such as the Battle, Bricks and Bridges project.

Feedback from staff has been incredibly positive and they are keen to continue disseminating good practice with each other as being part of a wider network of schools enhances the quality of education. They are proud of the start they have made and know that more can be done together than apart. It is a pioneering and significant development which heralds a new way forward of working for rural primary schools.

The children from all four schools were asked to design a logo for the Claddagh Glen Learning Community. A committee made up of representatives from the schools chose the winning Logo from each school which were then used as inspiration by a graphic designer who designed the new logo for the Learning Community. The four winners were presented their prizes during the launch event. The logo symbolises their community and the bridge building taking place amongst the four schools.

Martina Brady, Principal of St Naile’s PS said “On behalf of the four schools I would like to thank the Fermanagh Trust for their assistance in helping us establish the Claddagh Glen Learning Community. Fermanagh Trust has been extremely proactive in fostering the Shared Education agenda. Their vision and commitment to the concept of Shared Education was the driver that established a meaningful and realistic way of enhancing the education for future generations in this area.”