The Parents’ Association

In accordance with section 26 of the Education Act 1998, the parents of students of a recognised school may establish, and maintain from among their number, a parents’ association for that school and membership of that association shall be open to all parents of students of that school.

The following are some of the activities in which Parents’ Associations might be involved:

• Organising information/social events for new parents at the school.
• Organising welcome events for new students at the school.
• Arranging talks on topics of interest to parents, e.g. guest speaker on parenting/discipline, etc.
• Preparing school handbooks/calendars.
• Providing support/organisational input to major school events, e.g. communions, confirmations, debs, etc.
• Channelling parents’ views on school policy issues to the Principal/Board.
• Contributing to the school newsletter.
• Helping to organise and supervise extra-curricular activities.
• Organising Fundraising Events for the school.

Some Useful Information for Parents

• A Guide to the Irish Education System
• Education Act 1998
• Junior Cycle Information for Parents
• National Parents Council Post-Primary – Parents Association Guidelines Booklet
• Sample Constitution for a Local Parents Association

National Parents’ Council Post-Primary

The National Parents’ Council Post-Primary (NPCPP) is an umbrella organisation for affiliated parents’ associations. The Department of Education and Skills supports the National Parents’ Council Post Primary through the provision of grant-aid. The Department also liaises with the Council on issues of concern to parents of children in post-primary schools.

The National Parents Council – Post Primary (NPCPP) is an association representing all parents’ associations in post-primary schools in Ireland.

It can be contacted at:

Unit 6 Building 125,

Omni Park Shopping Centre,

Santry,

Dublin 9.

Tel: +353 (1) 8623346

email: manager@npcpp.ie

Website: www.ncpp.ie

Some Useful Links for Parents

• Department of Education – https://www.education.ie/en/
• CAO (Central Applications Office) – https://www.cao.ie/
• SEC (State Examinations Commission) – https://www.examinations.ie/
• NCCA (National Council for Curriculum and Assessment) – https://www.ncca.ie/en
• JCT (Junior Cycle for Teachers) – https://www.jct.ie/home/home.php
• NCSE (National Council for Special Education) – https://ncse.ie/

Assistance for Parents regarding COVID-19 and blended learning

• 5th-YEAR-STUDY-LEARNING-TO-LEARN
• Wellbeing Padlet
• Careers Padlet
• Free Family Wellbeing Support Programme
• Webinar for parents of 6th class students – Making the transition to secondary school
• Resource Bank for parents and students for remote learning
• Lockdown lowdown: some ways to cope while living with teenagers
• Joanne Hanrahan’s short wellbeing videos
• Video Dealing with Anxiety (click)
• Safe hands, thinking mind, anxiety-stress-resources-links