Services & Information

Professional Studies

Primary Education

BBC Northern Ireland Learning

Primary and Post-Primary Education (This page has been archived and is no longer updated)

Free Teaching Resources

Access ready to use lesson plans and worksheets produced by UK companies, charities, museums and galleries, and in many cases created and reviewed by experienced educational teaching experts. The free lesson plans and work sheets cover, KS1, KS2, KS3 and KS4 and all school subjects at primary and post-primary level.

Imagebank

A photo library web site where people can search for and share photos for educational use. ImageBank focuses on providing photos of Irish places and spaces but other subjects are also included, such as animals, sport and flowers. ImageBank is intended as a supportive resource for students and teachers in Irish education. It is a growing resource and eveyone is encouraged to share any relevant photos they may have. All photos are free for educational use.

Primary Resources

This site contains free lesson plans, activity ideas and resources for all aspects of the primary curriculum, all submitted by teachers.

Schoolslinks

A UK based website offering free resources and display material, plus educational links and information on all curriculum subjects for primary schools

Sparklebox

SparkleBox was launched as a means of sharing useful free downloadable resources with other teachers.

Teaching Ideas

This site contains lesson ideas, activities and resources free for use in the classroom. Written by teachers they are suitable for KS1 & KS2.

Citizenship Education

Cain Web Service

This site contains information and source material on 'the Troubles' and politics in Northern Ireland from 1968 to the present. There is also information on N. Ireland society.

Eyewitness

A BBC site with online resource examining conflict, aimed at teachers and pupils following the NI curriculum for citizenship, it is suitable for ages 14+.

Key Stage 3 and 4 Citizenship

This BBC website offers a wealth of information on the themes of diversity and inclusion, sectarianism and racism, ethnic minorities and world religions. There is also a teacher's notes section.

The Global Dimension

ActonAid

Teaching resources, school talks and campaigns to help learners explore global issues and engage in active global citizenship. There are photographs, information sheets, film clips, case studies covering India, Africa and more. Ideal for geography, citizenship, PSHE and science lessons.

DevelopmentEducation ie

A development and human rights education resource maintained by a consortium of organisations based in Ireland. This website contains a broad range of materials exploring a variety of development issues and topics such as genocide or fair trade, etc., that are discussed and debated, materials and ideas for teachers and educators, using cartoons and photographs in education for example, campaign actions such as on the Millennium Development Goals or Child Labour

Education 4 Sustainability

For tutors, students and teachers trying to embed Global Citizenship and Education for Sustainable Development in teacher training.

Sustainable Development

This BBC resource follows the Northern Ireland curriculum for Key Stage 3 geography and is a cross curricular site also relevant to history science and citizenship. There is a teachers' section to provide teachers with a means of delivering up to date material using local examples, covering a wide range of geographical themes, integrating ICT with good classroom practice, examining the themes with a sustainable focus and applying the differentiated tasks according to ability

Unicef

UNICEF UK teaching resources and information. This website is particularly useful for global education and children's rights topics

Internet Safety

Childnet International

Childnet International is a non-profit organisation working with others to “help make the Internet a great and safe place for children”.
This website gives news and background to Childnet’s work and serves as a portal to Childnet’s award-winning projects. The Kidsmart pages of the site have ideas, videos and links on all aspects of internet safety work with children.

Hotline.ie

This Irish hotline service provides an anonymous facility for the public to report suspected illegal content encountered on the Internet, in a secure and confidential way. It also has advice on internet safety.

ThinkUKnow

The latest information on the most popular websites, mobiles and new technology. There are resources to use in the classroom and a place which anyone can use to report if they feel uncomfortable or worried about someone they are chatting to online. All the information here is provided by the team at the Child Exploitation and Online Protection (CEOP) Centre

Parent's Guide to Internet Safety

Raising children can suddenly make the world seem a frightening and dangerous place.

Child Safety on the Internet

The internet has the potential to offer children and young people a wide range of opportunities – to learn, to develop new skills, to keep in touch with friends and make new ones and to have fun. However there are concerns about both inequalities of access to the technology and the possible threats to children’s safety that can exist online.

Health and Welfare

Healthy Schools

Being healthy, safe, cared for, having a voice and influence are fundamental prerequisites to being 'ready to learn' and achieving true potential.

Mentor

This non-governmental organisation promotes health, opportunities and protection for young people. The website, is aimed at all who wish to know more about drug abuse prevention and to be more active in helping to prevent substance abuse.

NSPCC

This provides information on the prevention of cruelty to children. It links to Childline which has resources and information on a range of children's health and safety issues.

Literacy

National Association for Language Development in the Curriculum

NALDIC's mission is to promote the effective teaching and learning of EAL and bilingual pupils in UK schools. They provide a professional forum to learn more about EAL and bilingual learners and promote EAL research; understanding and best practice and promote plurilingualism within our multilingual society. They have resources for Initial Teacher Education; a section on guidance and resources for working teachers and a library of guidance and reference material to download.

The National Literacy Trust

The National Literacy Trust is an independent charity offering information and resources on literacy. The website is aimed at teachers, researchers, professionals and parents interested in supporting the improvement of literacy skills.

The Reading Agency

The Reading Agency is an independent charity with a mission to inspire more people to read more. They aim to help children, young people and adults across the UK feel inspired and confident about reading. They particularly champion reading with children in their formative years, work with young people who find it difficult to develop reading skills and with adults who find reading a challenge. There is a link to the StoryLab website.

Northern Ireland Key Stage 1 & 2 for Language and Literacy

The Northern Ireland Curriculum for Key Stage 1 & 2, Programme of study and resources.

Numeracy

Moneyville

Moneyville.ie is an educational universe that was specially designed for school children 5-7 years old. With its entertaining games and various activities, students can explore all aspects of money.

Northern Ireland Key Stage 1 & 2 for Mathematics and Numeracy

The Northern Ireland Curriculum for Key Stage 1 & 2, Programme of study and resources.

Northern Ireland Key Stage 3 for Mathematics and Numeracy

The Northern Ireland Curriculum for key stage 3 mathematics. Programme of study and resources.

Special Needs

Additional Needs

This website provides information, resources and useful links for teachers working with children with additional needs.

British Dyslexia Association

A website providing information about dyslexia for parents and teachers. It includes information on EQUIPPED the project set up in Northern Ireland in 2006 and advice for Higher Education students with dyslexia.

British Deaf Association

The BDA has information for teachers who work with deaf pupils, including learning how to sign, and details of training and events. There are also factsheets on a range of topics for young deaf pupils which can be downloaded and printed.

Check The Map

This site links to employment and training services for people with Learning Disabilities/Difficulties in their local area. They also have links to recommended resources for use with children and young people.

Dyslexia Action

Dyslexia Action is a national charity, and the UK's leading provider of services and support for people with dyslexia and literacy difficulties specialising in assessment, teaching and training.

Education for Children with Dyslexia, an Online Guide

This is an American universities site with many useful links to articles and research papers on dyslexia for students and teachers.

I Am Dyslexic

For people with dyslexia, parents and teachers.

Ican

An educational charity which works to support the development of speech, language and communication skills in all children with a special focus on children with speech, language and communication needs.

International Dyslexic Association

The International Dyslexia Association (IDA) is a USA non-profit, scientific & educational organization dedicated to the study and treatment of the learning disability, dyslexia.

NASEN

Nasen is the leading organisation in the UK which aims to promote the education, training, advancement and development of all those with special and additional support needs. The website provides up to date information on developments in special education.

NASET

The National Association of Special Education Teachers (NASET) is an American organization providing support and assistance to teachers and student teachers in the field of special education.

National Autistic Society

The website contains useful information about autism and Asperger's syndrome. There is a section for professionals who work in education with children in the autism spectrum.

The Northern Ireland Curriculum: Inclusion and Special Educational Needs

The CCEA site has information, advice and resources for teachers, parents and others working with children with SEN in Northern Ireland. It includes information for people working with children who need support in mainstream classes (inclusion) and in special schools.

PATOSS (Professional Association of Teachers of Students with Specific Learning Difficulties)

Patoss is concerned with the teaching and support of pupils with SpLD: dyslexia, dyspraxia, ADD, and Asperger's syndrome.

Royal National Institute for the Blind

The RNIB website has an online education newsletter and a section with resources and information for education professionals.

SCoTENS

The Standing Conference on Teacher Education North and South. This site includes resources on special education which have been designed for teachers and teacher educators throughout the island of Ireland.

SEN Teacher

SEN Teacher provides free teaching & learning resources for students with special needs and learning disabilities. All the resources available or listed here are free for use in schools, colleges and at home.

Special Educational Needs

The Department for Education provides a wide range of SEN, disability advice and materials for teachers, parents and others working with children with SEN in England

Special Education Support Services, Ireland

The service consolidates, co-ordinates, develops and delivers a range of professional development initiatives and support structures. The SESS maximises the benefits of North/ South co-operation. A one-stop shop for all Ireland special needs resources.

Speech Teach

Resources for teachers of children who have speech and learning difficulties including dyspraxia, autism and apraxia.