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About Us

Overview of Centre Background / Cúlra an Ionaid

Cork Education Support Centre (Cork ESC) is funded by the Department of Education and Youth through the Teacher Professional Learning Section (TPLS) under the National Development Plan. The Director is Edmond Hussey. Cork Education Support Centre is responsible for developing and implementing strategies that support Teacher Professional Learning (TPL) and professional development across the wider school community, supporting educational excellence throughout our catchment area in our Cork city and county region.

Since its establishment in 1973 the Support Centre has provided support for Primary, Post-Primary, National, Regional and Local Professional Development for teachers and the wider education community in Cork City and County catchement. 

Cork Education Support Centre is one of a national network of 21 full time Education Support Centres.  The centre works with TPLS to ensure the professional learning needs of our teachers and school leaders are supported. The Centre promotes partnership in education by providing access to professional development, training and support for teachers, SNAs, B.O.M.s and the wider education community.

The Centre works closely with the county’s 246 primary and 87 post primary schools with a teaching population of over 8,000.

Cork Education Support Centre is an independent statutory body, managed by a voluntary Management Committee that is elected annually. Cork Education Support Centre is a modern, purpose-built facility, providing a comfortable and welcoming atmosphere for personal and professional development for primary and post-primary communities.

The Centre aims to: Centre Objectives / Cuspóirí an Ionaid

  • Administer national, regional and local in-service programmes
  • Deliver seminars and workshops in the area of Teacher Professional Learning
  • Support Oide and other national educational support agencies in their work e.g. NCSE, NEP's
  • Support regional and local curriculum development projects
  • Provide a meeting place for teacher groups, CoP's
  • Plan and organise local courses for Primary and Post-primary teachers,SNA's and other members of the school community.
  • Provide Digital Learning and ICT local courses
  • Support local teacher, SNA, parent and principal groups
  • Organise and run spring, summer and autumn local courses
  • Provide cluster-based workshops, CoP and outreach courses for teachers
  • Provide a venue for the education community.

The centre hosts the national Reading Recovery programme offered by the National Support Service Oide.

Child Protection Policy

The Designated Liaison Person is Mr. Edmond Hussey.

The Deputy Designated Liaison Person is Ms. Maighread Kelly Walker.

BRIEF HISTORY

The Centre was initially located in the Model School in Anglesea Street. The first full-time Director was Bart Bambury (1973 – 2001).

Over the years the centre has moved premises a number of times.
Michael Jackson, Acting Director, (2001 -2002) oversaw a change of name which coincided with the move to the present location on Western Road in January 2002.
 
Cork Education Support Centre is a custom-built, state of the art facility incorporating the old Holy Trinity Rectory (previously occupied by the Music Department of UCC) along with a sizeable new development on the Mardyke Walk side of the site.