Laois school wins Trinity College award for third level culture

A Laois secondary school has been recognised by Trinity College for its work to create a college-going culture in their school.

Mountmellick Community school has received a Schools of Distinction Award in the Trinity Access Programme, conferred recently.

The school won because they had shown their students a wide range of third level options from apprenticeships to university courses.

Over the past year, teachers, SNAs, senior management, yearheads, programme coordinator and the guidance department contributed towards nurturing students’ aspirations for their future careers in a multitude of ways.

Students attended Higher Options, open days, campus tours, a workplace visit to Midland Steel, subject exhibition day, celebrating College Awareness Week, tuning into various guest speakers, practicing their study skills, work experience, attending a Jobs Fair, workshops and many other initiatives to promote further and higher education.

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Joanne Teehan, school Guidance Counsellor said it means a lot to achieve the status.

“We are delighted to be part of a nationwide movement to promote the importance of post-secondary education. Winning the School of Distinction: Innovation award recognises the ongoing work of our staff in inspiring our students to pursue their dreams and explore all the opportunities available to them,” she said.

The award scheme aims to support the development of ‘college-going’ practices and a student-centered, innovative learning environment across schools nationwide. Mountmellick CS was particularly successful in facilitating a range of experiences which afforded students the opportunity to explore the many career and learning options available to them.

The new director of TAP is Wendy Crampton.

"It is wonderful to begin a new role with an organisation who carries a rich history of working with schools. I want to congratulate all the Schools of Distinction Awardees on their achievements. These schools work tirelessly to embed
a college-going culture inspiring their young people to recognise their full potential," she said.

TAP, Trinity College Dublin, this year celebrates 30 years working with schools and organisations to increase participation from under-represented groups at third-level. Established in 2017, Schools of Distinction recognizes and celebrates the efforts of schools nationwide to transform their school culture and to develop innovative approaches to teaching and learning.

In Pictures: Laois school's magnificent celebration

The Schools of Distinction programme works with DEIS schools. It encourages participants to draw on their own school and community resources and the resources of TAP in Trinity College Dublin.

In 2022 an impressive 60% of students from Schools of Distinction progressed to Higher Education. The School of Distinction: Innovation Award, recognises the creative and innovative ways that schools are embedding a college-going culture.

The awarded schools have active, student-centred programmes that support the three core practices of Pathways to College, Mentoring and Leadership in Learning in their school. Innovation Award winners support and encourage their teachers to explore innovative teaching methodologies, engage with other excellent teachers through the Trinity Access Community of Practice and establish Community of Practices within their own schools.