Training & Events

Making self-evaluation and school development planning meaningful, manageable and impactful

The aim of this programme is to deepen your understanding of school development planning as a process, underpinned by the school’s strong guiding vision and purpose, informed by rigorous self-evaluation and educational research, devised in consultation with stakeholders and in compliance with DE policy. 

Participants will attend two half-day face-to-face workshops, facilitated by Education Partners, in which they will be invited to explore themes relevant to self-evaluation and planning for improvement, considering how they can be applied in the context of their school. 

The core themes covered in the workshops are designed around a series of questions as follows: 

Rationale – Why do we need a school development plan and what needs to be in one?  Self-evaluation – How do we develop a robust evidence-base of all aspects of school life, upon which to build a manageable, meaningful school development plan which positively impacts on our pupils and their outcomes?  Prioritisation – What are the challenges and opportunities we face and what are our emerging priorities over the next three years?  Planning for Improvement – What are the characteristics of effective planning for improvement? 

Each workshop will provide opportunities for professional dialogue and the sharing of practice, approaches and resources that can be used by schools to enhance their existing self-evaluation and improvement planning processes and structures. These sessions are intended as a starting point for participants to consider exploring and developing one or more of the above themes in more detail, which they may wish to pursue with their designated Education Partner. Participants will attend both sessions and take their thinking back to share with colleagues in their schools. .

Please note: This programme is available to ALCs or individual schools and can be accessed through the school's Education Partner or ALC Link Officer.

IMAGINE Autism Acceptance Month Peer Training April 2026

IMAGINE – Understanding Autism in School is a video and accompanying resource designed to support pupils in developing a better understanding of Autism and to promote acceptance, empathy and inclusion within the school community.

After watching the IMAGINE video, the booklet contains a range of structured activities that encourage pupils to reflect on what they have learned and explore Autism in more depth. The tasks are designed to help pupils think about how Autistic people may experience the world, challenge common myths, and consider ways to create a more supportive and inclusive school environment.

The activities can be used flexibly depending on the needs and abilities of your class. Some tasks are designed for individual reflection, while others work well as paired or group discussions. Teachers may choose to lead certain sections as a class discussion, or allow pupils to record their ideas independently in the booklet.

The overall aim of this resource is to:

Increase pupils’ understanding of Autism Challenge misconceptions and stereotypes Encourage empathy and respect for differences Promote acceptance and inclusion within school communities

This resource is particularly suitable for use during Autism Acceptance Month, PSHE lessons, tutor time, or assemblies, but it can also be used at any point in the school year to support inclusive education.

By engaging with these activities, pupils will be encouraged to imagine what school might feel like from different perspectives and think about how small changes in attitudes and actions can help make school a place where everyone feels understood, respected and included.

Suicide Awareness Training - Connections Link Life

CONNECTIONS LINK LIFE: Suicide Awareness Training

This training course covers:

Contributing factors that lead to poor mental health, emotional distress & suicide prevention awareness Understanding the role of mental health and emotions in relation to suicide prevention awareness Connect 4-Way Model for helping persons experiencing emotional distress or suicide Tools & resources for support in your community The role of self-care and wellbeing in fortifying mental health and preventing suicide

Participation & Readiness:

We ask that you are emotionally ready for suicide prevention awareness training and understand how to participate;

It is important you click to read and understand *Am I Suitable?*  Suicide prevention awareness training is potentially triggering Be confident in your ability to cope with the content of the training Take steps to keep yourself emotionally safe during training Best practice advises that people who have been bereaved by suicide or by any other traumatic death within the last 6 months, should not attend It is important that you click to read and understand the *How To Participate group agreement*

Course Details:

20th October 2026

22nd October 2026

2nd March 2027

4th March 2027

11th May 2027

13th May 2027

Time: 9.30am - 1.00pm

Training will take place via online platform.  

Please ensure you have entered your email correctly to receive the training details. You will receive a reminder email and a link to the online session a week before the training date.

Audience: Primary, KS2 and Post Primary SENCO's, Principals and Pastoral Vice-Principals

Understanding Bereavement & Loss

Understanding Bereavement & Loss

The Bereavement and Loss professional learning course is for School Staff and is designed to equip educators with the knowledge and skills necessary to support children and young people experiencing loss. This program will enhance participants' understanding of grief, develop their ability to provide effective support, and increase their confidence in handling the complexities of grief and provide compassionate support to those in need.

Participants will:

Develop greater knowledge and understanding of bereavement and grief responses. Develop an enhanced ability to support bereavement and loss issues within the educational setting. Gain an increased confidence in identifying, supporting, and signposting those experiencing grief.

Course Details:

12th November 2026 

11th March 2027 

20th May 2027 

Time: 9.30am - 1.00pm

Training will take place via online platform.

Please ensure you have entered your email correctly to receive the training details. You will receive a reminder email and a link to the online session a week before the training date.

Developing a Whole School Response to Bereavement and Critical Incidents (2 day course)

Developing a Whole School Response to Bereavement and Critical Incidents (2 day course)

This course is designed to equip school leaders with the knowledge and skills to support those experincing loss within their school community and assist schools to prepare for a critical incident. The effects of a critical incident on pupils, staff and communities can be wide-ranging and when a school is affected all staff have an important role to play. This professional learning will also provide insight into the role of the EA Critical Incident Response Team. 

Day One 

Participants will:

Develop greater knowledge and understanding of bereavement and grief responses. Develop an enhanced ability to support bereavement and loss issues within the educational setting. Gain an increased confidence in identifying, supporting, and signposting those experiencing grief. 

Day Two

Participants will:

Gain an increased understanding of the supportive role of the Education Authority Critical Incident Response Team Have greater awareness of the many complex issues accompanying a critical incident Have increased knowledge and resources to develop a Critical Incident Management Policy and Plan

Course Details:

This course is a two day course and attendance on both days is compulsory.

6th & 7th October 2026

19th & 20th January 2027

20th & 21st April 2027

Time: 9.30am - 1.00pm (on 2 consecutive days)

Training will take place via online platform. 

Please ensure you have entered your email correctly to receive the training details. You will receive a reminder email and a link to the online session a week before the training date.

Audience: Primary, KS2 and Post Primary SENCO's, Principals and Pastoral Vice-Principals

Coaching Service for School Principals

Aims

To support school principals to continue to lead effectively in an increasingly demanding climate and to raise awareness of the value of coaching.

Each participating principal is provided with seven hours of one- to-one coaching over a twelve to eighteen-month period, focusing on building and sustaining their resilience and leadership capacity.

This service is offered in partnership with Lena by Inspire.

Futher Information

https://www.eani.org.uk/services/teacher-professional-learning/school-leadership-tpl/coaching-service-for-school-principals

First-time Principal Induction Programme

Aims

To strengthen the capacity of newly appointed principals to lead at a whole-school level, equipping them with the knowledge, skills, and professional networks required to deliver sustained improvement and high-quality educational outcomes.

The year long programme covers a range of leadership and management issues including:

Finance and LMS Human Resources Legal Issues SEND Implementation Working with Governors Leading Ethos Leading and Managing Chan Futher Information

https://www.eani.org.uk/services/training-and-development/teacher-professional-learning/school-leadership-tpl/first-time-0

School Leader as Coach

Aims

To support school leaders in embedding a coaching approach within their schools, promoting professional dialogue, reflective practice, and a sustainable culture of growth and development.

Through participation in action-learning sets and engagement in self-directed learning, participants will:

develop knowledge and understanding of coaching practice and how it can be utilised for leading, empowering and building the capacity of staff develop coaching practice to support school improvement take responsibility for their own professional learning, develop their reflective practice and relate this to improvement in pupil outcomes.  Futher Information

https://www.eani.org.uk/services/teacher-professional-learning/school-leadership-tpl/school-leader-as-coach

 

Organisational Development, culture and learning

ODL Portfolio April 26 - March 2027. A range of training, learning and development across the full year 

Futher Information

https://eani.pagetiger.com/eani-learning-and-development-portfolio

Controlled Schools' Unit - School Management Training Programme - Communications Workshop

 

AIMS:

Communications Workshop will be facilitated by EA Communications Team with a focus on:

• Accessing Communication support for Controlled Schools
• Utilising media and social media channels to promote good news stories within Controlled Schools
• Dealing with challenge – Examples of effective communication practice
​

TIME:

9.30am - 1.00pm

 

Participants will be required to complete an evaluation form at the end of the workshop. 

 

Please note that, due to limited capacity, bookings are restricted to one place per school.

The Controlled Schools Unit (CSU) is a dedicated service within the Education Authority providing strategic support, guidance and advocacy to Controlled Schools across all phases; to learn more or contact the team, visit Controlled Schools Unit information page https://www.eani.org.uk/schools/other-help-for-schools/controlled-schools-unit-csu

Controlled Schools' Unit - School Management Training Programme - Procurement Workshop

 

AIMS:

CSU: Procurement Workshop will be facilitated by EA Procurement Team with a focus on:

• Procurement Systems and Processes
• Procurement Regulation
• Managing procurement within a Controlled School
 

To provide an understanding of bereavement, grief responses and mourning​ To increase awareness of the ways in which children and young people grieve ​ To explore effective strategies which support children and young people through bereavement and loss​

 

TIME:

9.30am - 1.00pm

Participants will be required to complete an evaluation form at the end of the workshop. 

Please note that, due to limited capacity, bookings are restricted to one place per school.

The Controlled Schools Unit (CSU) is a dedicated service within the Education Authority providing strategic support, guidance and advocacy to Controlled Schools across all phases; to learn more or contact the team, visit Controlled Schools Unit information page https://www.eani.org.uk/schools/other-help-for-schools/controlled-schools-unit-csu

Controlled Schools' Unit - School Management Training Programme - Health and Wellbeing Clinic

AIMS:

This Health and Wellbeing clinic, delivered by the EA Health and Wellbeing Team with contributions from Benenden and My Money Matters, offers school leaders practical guidance and resources to support staff wellbeing and encourage staff to take time to look after themselves.

 

TIME:

9.30am - 1.00pm

 

Participants will be required to complete an evaluation form at the end of the workshop. 

 

Please note that, due to limited capacity, bookings are restricted to one place per school.

 

The Controlled Schools Unit (CSU) is a dedicated service within the Education Authority providing strategic support, guidance and advocacy to Controlled Schools across all phases; to learn more or contact the team, visit Controlled Schools Unit information page https://www.eani.org.uk/schools/other-help-for-schools/controlled-schools-unit-csu
 

 

SEND Implementation and SENCo Support

This learning area contains modules of SEND training resources and guidance materials for SENCos/Learning Support Coordinators, senior leaders, teaching and non-teaching staff in schools and educational settings. It replaces the old SEND Website which will no longer be accessible. Click on the ‘Documents’ link on the menu on the right of the Dashboard page to find the following topic areas:

Graduated Response (WEP and SpEP) Leadership and Management Parent and Carer Leaflets Personal Learning Plan (PLP) Policies Provision Mapping SEN and Medical Categories SEND Podcasts School Development Day Packs Views of the Child

Some of these resources are also available on the public-facing EANI SEND Website on the new SENCo Support page https://send.eani.org.uk/sencosupport

AIMS:

 

To provide an understanding of changes to the SEN Framework To share updates on changes to legislation, regulations and the draft Code of Practice To host resources and materials to support staff who are working with children and young people with SEN in your school or setting.

 

TIME/DATE:

This learning area is open year-round.

Understanding the Personal Learning Plan (PLP) for pupils identified as having Special Educational Needs

Understanding the Personal Learning Plan (PLP) for pupils identified as having Special Educational Needs - SEND Implementation and Development Team

A programme of four videos and supporting resources to promote effective practice in creating, implementing, monitoring and reviewing the PLP

Video 1 - Introduction to the PLP & Legislation

Video 2 - Stages and Content of the PLP

Video 3 - Responsibilities and the PLP Process

Video 4 - Parts of the PLP

Participants will be sent the link to access the PLP training videos/ resources on the EA SDS learning portal following registration.

Please use the EA training access code sent to all school leaders at the beginning of the academic year to register.

Irish Medium Effective Governance Webinar

This training will be delivered online via Teams.

GDPR: IMPORTANT - the EA will rely on legitimate interests as its basis for recording any event or meeting on Teams.

This event may be recorded for the specific purposes of sharing training to other governors. This is advance notice of that intention.

Addressing Bullying Type Behaviour in Schools Webinar

This training will be delivered online via Teams.

GDPR: IMPORTANT - the EA will rely on legitimate interests as its basis for recording any event or meeting on Teams.

This event may be recorded for the specific purposes of sharing training to other governors. This is advance notice of that intention.

YOU MUST LOG ONTO THE SESSION WITH THE SAME EMAIL YOU REGISTER WITH

Acquiring Integrated Status (IE Support Programme 2027-2030) - Information for Governors

This training will be delivered online via Teams and will last approximately 90 mins.

GDPR: IMPORTANT - the EA will rely on legitimate interests as its basis for recording any event or meeting on Teams.

This event may be recorded for the specific purposes of sharing training to other governors. This is advance notice of that intention.

YOU MUST LOG ONTO THE SESSION WITH THE SAME EMAIL YOU REGISTER WITH

Community Use in Schools - Introduction for Governors

This training will be delivered online via Teams and will last approximately 90 mins.

GDPR: IMPORTANT - the EA will rely on legitimate interests as its basis for recording any event or meeting on Teams.

This event may be recorded for the specific purposes of sharing training to other governors. This is advance notice of that intention.

YOU MUST LOG ONTO THE SESSION WITH THE SAME EMAIL YOU REGISTER WITH

EDIS Project - Overview for Governors

This training will be delivered online via Teams and will last approximately 1 hour.

GDPR: IMPORTANT - the EA will rely on legitimate interests as its basis for recording any event or meeting on Teams.

This event may be recorded for the specific purposes of sharing training to other governors. This is advance notice of that intention.

YOU MUST LOG ONTO THE SESSION WITH THE SAME EMAIL YOU REGISTER WITH

Effective Governance

This training will be delivered online via Teams and will last approximately 90 mins.

GDPR: IMPORTANT - the EA will rely on legitimate interests as its basis for recording any event or meeting on Teams.

This event may be recorded for the specific purposes of sharing training to other governors. This is advance notice of that intention.

YOU MUST LOG ONTO THE SESSION WITH THE SAME EMAIL YOU REGISTER WITH

Induction for School Governors

This training will be delivered online via Teams over 2 hours.

GDPR: IMPORTANT - the EA will rely on legitimate interests as its basis for recording any event or meeting on Teams.

This event may be recorded for the specific purposes of sharing training to other governors. This is advance notice of that intention.

YOU MUST LOG ONTO THE SESSION WITH THE SAME EMAIL YOU REGISTER WITH

Being Well Doing Well - Governor Role in Well Being

This training will be delivered online via Teams and will last approximately 1 hour.

GDPR: IMPORTANT - the EA will rely on legitimate interests as its basis for recording any event or meeting on Teams.

This event may be recorded for the specific purposes of sharing training to other governors. This is advance notice of that intention.

YOU MUST LOG ONTO THE SESSION WITH THE SAME EMAIL YOU REGISTER WITH

Emotionally Based School Non-Attendance (EBSNA): Engaging with Entrenched EBSNA, Learning from Motivational Interviewing

This workshop provides a practical follow up to the initial training courses on Emotional Based School Non Attendance (EBSNA) developed by the Educational Psychology Service for primary and post-primary school staff. The workshop is particularly useful for SENCOs and/or those staff responsible for supporting attendance.

Attendees will further their learning regarding using techniques from Motivational Interviewing, to support them towards having more effective conversations with CYP experiencing EBSNA. The workshop will include a mix of theory, practical techniques, demonstrated role plays and videos.

This session aims to:

Raise awareness of the principles of Motivational Interviewing and introduce another way of working with complex EBSNA. Introduce the cycle of change in relation to EBSNA and consider the importance of a child’s readiness for change. Offer staff practical experience in using MI reflective listening techniques and support them to apply these in their work with children experiencing EBSNA.

The workshops will take place on the following dates:

Term 1:

Session 1: 16th September 2025, 1:00pm-3:30pm Session 2: 17th September 2025, 1:00pm-3:30pm

Term 2:

Session 1: 13th January 2026, 1:00pm-3:30pm Session 2: 14th January 2026, 1:00pm-3:30pm

Term 3:

Session 1: 22nd April 2026, 1:00pm-3:30pm

These sessions are at least 50% practical so staff signing up should be willing to participate in the activities. Attendees should come with a case of entrenched EBSNA in mind and be prepared to discuss it.

 

PLEASE NOTE: This is a small group session and places are strictly limited to one attendee per school at any given session.

Attendees must have already completed one of the following Educational Psychology Service’ Training Sessions

Emotionally Based School Non-Attendance (EBSNA) - A framework for supporting Post-Primary Pupils.

Emotionally Based School Non-Attendance (EBSNA) - A framework for supporting Primary Pupils.