In his review of 2019 at post-primary level, Clive Byrne looks concisely at a wide range of topics, including the pace of system change, inclusivity and participation, school leadership, the Student and Parent Charter, reduced timetables, challenges ahead, and future hopes and developments.

Junior cycle reform has introduced sweeping changes into lower-second-level education. One of the more significant is the new classroom-based assessment (CBA), along with its associated subject learning and assessment review (SLAR) meeting. This article explores assessment at junior cycle level and reveals the reality of CBA in our classrooms.

With little over a decade in which to act, we cannot afford to continue with business as usual when it comes to climate breakdown. This article spells out the need for urgent, large-scale action and how the climate strikes give students a voice on their own future

The NCCA is currently undertaking a review of senior cycle in post-primary education. The review offers an opportunity to explore the learning experiences of senior-cycle students and to generate a shared vision for senior cycle and a strong base from which to shape a curriculum that meets the needs of all learners for years to come. Kieran Golden outlines the findings to date.

Second-level schools in Ireland take a wide variety of approaches to the use of ICT in their classrooms. So what role should digital technologies and digital learning have in schools and classrooms? This article summarises recent discourse and research on the topic, highlighting the key challenges for schools and possible steps forward.

Mental health is perhaps the most important public health issue of our time. This article looks at why mental health is so important in teaching, what affects it, and how we might protect and promote it in education. It makes a morally sound and strong business case for developing and maintaining a fruitful and flourishing working environment for teachers.

Two events this year saw educators and policymakers meet at the Burren College of Art to address critical issues in Ireland’s education system. The Gamechanger Dialogue focused on educational disadvantage, while Towards a More Creative Education System was a series of symposia designed to nudge the education system in a more creative direction.

Collaborative professionalism is about how to collaborate more deeply in ways that achieve greater impact. It involves deep and sometimes demanding dialogue, candid but constructive feedback, and continuous collaborative inquiry.

Derek West went to hear Andy Hargreaves at the Killeshin Hotel in Portlaoise and spent a day happily out of his depth. Here he offers his reflections on the day and its themes of communication, collaboration, reflection, well-being, leadership, and the undervalued middle ground.

In March 2019, the distinguished educationalist John Hattie flew into Dublin and gave an energetic presentation at the NAPD’s annual symposium, tackling teacher efficacy, raising standards, using the evidence in critical evaluation, and making learning visible. Derek West reports from the event.