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.

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

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

 

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
 

 

Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE)

Child sexual exploitation (CSE) is a type of sexual abuse. It happens when a child or young person is coerced, manipulated or deceived into sexual activity in exchange for things that they may need or want like gifts, drugs, money, status and affection. Children and young people are often tricked into believing they're in a loving and consensual relationship so the sexual activity may appear consensual. This is called grooming and is a type of abuse. They may trust their abuser and not understand that they're being abused. CSE does not always involve physical contact, and can also occur through the use of technology.

Join us to understand CSE, and how to support a pupil and their parents/carers once it is known that CSE is suspected or confirmed.

Course Details:

Pre-recorded and online.

Sub cover is not available.

Safeguarding & Child Protection - Responding to Neglect in Educational Settings

This pre-recorded training explores the different types of neglect, with a focus on the impact of neglect on a child’s overall development. It provides participants with the knowledge and tools to recognise and respond to neglect, to develop a support plan for a child at risk of neglect, and signposts to practical ideas of how to engage parents in discussions about the impact of neglect. It is underpinned by the recognition that every child needs at least one adult that is responsive to their needs.

Course Details:

Pre-recorded and online.

Sub cover is not available.

Power to Change. Ending Violence Against Women and Girls

The ‘Power to Change Campaign’ is part of the NI Strategy to End Violence Against Woman and Girls (VAWG). The campaign was launched by the PSNI in January 2025 in collaboration with the Department of Justice and the Executive Office.  The recorded webinar and the learning resources provided for use with staff and young people are designed to fit in with the preventative curriculum.  The aim of the campaign is to invite and encourage all men and boys to check and change their attitudes, beliefs and behaviours towards women and girls; to challenge their peers, and to have the confidence to step in safely to put a stop to behaviour that might put their friends at risk of offending. The campaign also hopes to instigate conversations about the influence of social media – and help to educate about the powerful algorithms that are behind the pushed microdoses of misogynistic and harmful messaging.

The webinar was hosted on MS Teams and introduced by Therese Moran (CPSS).  It is delivered by Lindsay Fisher (PSNI Detective Superintendent and  PSNI lead for the campaign), with an input from Jane McCarthy from The Executive Office. 

Course Details:

Pre-recorded and online.

Sub cover is not available.

Connecting & Caring Across the Whole School Community​

Aims: 

This Professional Learning & Development training is for Specialist Provisions in Mainstream Schools only. The focus of this training is to build staff confidence in responding effectively to a range of needs, particularly in relation to complex social, behavioural, emotional and wellbeing needs. 

Structure/Content:

Connecting and Caring Training Consists of 3 Modules:

Module 1: Online Pre attendance activities

1.1 Legislation and context

1.2 Foundations of Social Behaviour and Emotional Wellbeing Practice

Module 2: Face-to-face session

2. Practical strategies to PREVENT, RELATE, SUPPORT & RESPOND

A practical workshop allowing staff the opportunity to go through case studies and actively problem-solve scenarios and devise appropriate plans/ risk assessments where there are identified behaviours of concern. 

Module 3: Post attendance activities

3.1 Intervention Processes

3.2 Evaluation and self-reflection

Course Details:

Location: EA Centres

Length:  9.30am - 3.30pm

Target Audience:

School Leadership Team, Specialist Provision Staff Member

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.