A group of Inishowen schools have come together for a number of Interschool workshops as part of their Development Education Programme under WorldWise. For more details go to www.inishowenschoolsdeved.com

Through its Education and Training activities, Inishowen Development Partnership endeavours to address educational disadvantage by improving equality of access, participation and outcome from education for students of all ages and backgrounds, resident in the Inishowen area.

As part of our preventative education work we provide support to local groups to develop initiatives that combat under achievement and educational disadvantage.

Our Community Development/Education Co-ordinator works closely with local schools, state agencies and the community to develop responses to specific issues such as early intervention, early school leaving and promoting access to third level education.

The concept of lifelong learning is central to our work and we believe that students of all ages and abilities should be able to participate in education and training at a level appropriate to their needs and abilities.

We also link with schools to support children who have English as a second language.  Homework clubs, peer support and community arts are all part of the activities the young people participate in. This work is part of wider Immigrant Outreach Programme.

We have information about accessing third level education as a mature student in Inishowen.  We will support you in choosing the right course and give you information on the courses and range of supports that are available to you.  If you would like more information please contact our Education Officer on 074-9362218 or mail queries to denise@inishowen.ie

Men, Women & Lone Parent Return to Education Grants & Millennium Partnership Fund.

These two small grant funds (e.g. max €750) are available to students and adults returning to education from the Inishowen area. Both Funds supports life long learning, continuing education and progression to further and/or higher education.

• Financial supports to meet participation costs, including fees, travel, childcare
• Provision of information e.g. guidance and mentoring
• Study supports including tuition and study skills.

Enquiries regarding criteria, closing dates and applications for the Fund should be made to Denise McCool. Applications are usually available in September for the incoming academic year. Grants are advertised in the local newspapers in late August/early September and will be available for download. Applications are assessed on the applicants' level of need and the limited budget made available by the department.

For further information call Denise at 074-9362218 or email denise@inishowen.ie

The Donegal VEC Adult Guidance service now offers a weekly appointments at the IDP offices.  These needed to be booked in advance.  For booking and further information contact Aisling at the Job Club 9361376 or Rose at VEC 9178088 or email roseduffy@donegalvec.ie

We have an Interschool Development Education Network which links the 5 second level schools and 2 Youthreach centres together.  The students look at issues in the developing world and also link with and learn from African countries they have created links with through the programme.

Educational Assessments
Support for School Completion Programme

Learning 4 Living Programme (L4L)

The Inishowen Development Partnership in conjunction with the Family Support sub-group has developed the Learning for Living Programme aimed at parents starting their adult education journey in a supportive environment towards further education and employment opportunities.  The L4L programme is divided into two parts:

• core subjects, normally mathematics, communications and personal development aimed at providing learners with basic study skills, knowledge and competencies
• groups of elective subjects in areas chosen by the learners in which they are interested and which they wish to continue studying when they enroll on a higher education course

The programme has added value in that each participant can develop realistic progression routes and receive the support to make these plans a reality after the programme.    
The L4L programme is currently taking place in Carndonagh and plans to bring the programme to Buncrana in September ’09 are underway.  Classes require 12 hours commitment a week for 12 weeks and an allowance towards childcare is available.

Please contact Mary McGeehan, Training Officer at 074-9362218 if you would like to take part in the programme or e-mail mmcgeehan@inishowen.ie