In addition to the enhancement of skillsets relating directly to the function of the courses, attendees had the opportunity to enhance their social networking and peer learning/assessing skills through collaboration with colleagues from other schools. With this project, our school promoted the participation of staff in training activities organised in the framework of Erasmus+ that gave them the opportunity not only to learn and develop their skills but also to meet, collaborate, cooperate, and share experiences, challenges and methods with colleagues from other European countries. We hoped to increase our knowledge surrounding the transition from primary to post-primary for students, as well as learn more about how we can best utilise ICT in our school; encourage the uptake of STEAM subjects and engage and cater for the needs of students with SEN.
We at Abbey Community College are passionate about education and interested in the challenges students face when transitioning from primary to post-primary school. We are particularly interested in the areas of of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics), ICT (Information and Communications Technology), and SEN (Special Educational Needs), as well as implementing initiatives surrounding these areas in helping students succeed during the transition period between primary and post-primary. The key purpose of this project is to address the awareness of STEAM subjects, including ICT and their value at the primary and post-primary levels. Furthermore, we were hoping to develop links between both sectors with a view towards the promotion and uptake of these subject areas within the post-primary sector. We are also interested in developing across a number of other areas, including SEN, which is very important in our school, Another very important part of the project for us was the development of European relationships, with schools and teachers from across Europe. We hoped, as part of this project, to broaden our knowledge on STEAM, ICT and SEN from discussions with our European colleagues.