21st Century Teaching & Learning in FVC
The TL21 Programme promotes innovative pedagogic practice and professional learning communities across schools.
This research-led programme, which ran in conjunction with Donegal Education Centre and NUI, Maynooth, aims to strengthen teachers’ capacities while enabling pupils to take an active part in their own learning.
A delegation of enthusiastic teachers represented Finn Valley College on the programme including Mr S McFadden, Ms K Boland, Ms M Molloy, Ms C McDermott, Ms A McGeehan, Ms M Garry & Ms T Floyd.
FVC (Finn Valley College) is proud to participate in the TL 21 Teaching and Learning initiative aimed at fostering a positive, student-centered environment where students are encouraged to take active responsibility for their own learning.
Rooted in our Positive Behaviour Strategy and aligned with our DEIS (Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools) plan, the initiative reinforces our core values of being ready, responsible, and respectful. A key focus is on developing student independence through the effective use of the FVC journal—not only to record and reflect on daily classwork but also to monitor academic progress through monthly assessments.
The journal also enhances academic monitoring, providing a clear structure for students, teachers, and parents to engage in meaningful feedback and reflection. Feedback from all stakeholders, students, parents, and teachers has been extremely positive, highlighting the journal’s role in supporting student growth. Closely aligned with the Looking at Our Schools (LAOS) framework, the initiative strengthens student outcomes and promotes a culture of continuous improvement and high-quality teaching and learning across FVC.
Our group met for 10 x 2hr sessions across two years as well as collaborating on initiatives and meeting during school. This complemented work done on the PBST Committee, Attainment Committee and across our Deis-planning teams. Consultation occurred between pupils, staff and parents and a pupil focus group in school as well as collaboration with pastoral leaders and form tutors.
Revised school diaries, introduction of morning tutorial, weekly Wellbeing messages and positive behaviour drives using Vsware have been introduced, all of which have a valuable impact on the whole school community, as is evidenced from comparison of baseline data with that gathered at end of two year process.
This programme was the most valuable of CPD, offering vital opportunities to collaborate with colleagues for the benefit of the whole school community in line with our school values and ETB ethos.