​Erasmus+ is the EU Programme in the fields of education, training, youth and sport for the period 2021-2027. The priorities of Erasmus+ are to improve: Inclusion and Diversity,
Digital Transformation, Environment and fight against climate change,
​Participation in democratic life, common values and civic engagement.

The key Erasmus Objectives that overlay the priorities are:
- Increasing the quality of teaching and learning
- Strengthening the European dimension of teaching and learning

Erasmus+ Project 2023/2024
​St Lachteen’s NS was successful in applying for an Erasmus+ Grant in 2023 (through Léargas) to complete an 18 month project exploring Student Voice and Autistic Voice and how they can be incorporated into Teaching, Learning and the use of Digital Technologies. As part of the Project St Lachteen’s NS was awarded grants for 3 different elements of the project:
  1. Staff Training Course – Members of Staff attend a Course relative to the project
  2. Pupil Mobility – Pupils experience an Education System in another European Country
  3. Job-Shadowing – Members of staff spend time in another European School observing their Teaching methods
We are delighted with the opportunity the grants have given us to look at ways of analysing and improving our teaching and learning practices.
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​​Following consultation with the Board of Management, Staff, Pupils and Parents the projects were initiated and will take place between now and November 2024.
  1. Staff Training Course: Choice, Competence and Creative-Thinking in the Primary Classroom (3 members of staff to attend 1-week course in another European country)
The course will introduce participants to Performance-Based Learning as an innovative approach to teaching and learning that is ready for the challenge of innovation. Performance-Based Learning (PBL) focuses on creating tasks related to real-world situations, and that require learners to teamwork and deploy a full set of competencies to succeed.  As such, PBL allows pupils to demonstrate their acquired knowledge and skills in practical and applied settings and prompts the development of soft skills and higher-order thinking skills (HOTS).  Moreover, participants will understand how to implement the ‘four Cs’ (critical thinking, collaboration, communication, and creativity) into classroom activities.
The course will also offer precious advice and tips on how to make students fully engaged, take ownership of their work, and activate their higher-order thinking skills. By the end of the course, participants will feel more confident in increasing their learners’ motivation, real cohesiveness, and the overall school climate. They will master the basics of a new methodology to provide children with the essential skills and practice they will need for careers as they revolutionize over time.
Learning outcomes:
  • Give choice and voice from early childhood;
  • Build teams and celebrate the success of others;
  • Use the key competencies to develop learning skills;
  • Create a positive school atmosphere through project work;
  • Help children work in groups and take decisions;
  • Implement self and peer evaluation.
 
2: Pupil Mobility: 6th Class Pupil Mobility to Waasenaar, Netherlands.
In June 2024 some of the pupils from 6th class will get to travel to the Netherlands for 5 days and spend time experiencing life as a pupil in 2 Dutch schools and enjoy the cultural experience of visiting another European Country. We will update the News Section of the school web-site with details of the Mobility as it happens!

3: Job-Shadowing: 3 members of staff to experience Teaching and Learning in another European Country.
In term 1 of 2024/25 3 members of staff to spend 3 days job-shadowing in another European Country to observe practices around Teaching, Learning and ICT use that have an impact on Student and Autistic Voice. On completion of this final element of the project we will submit our project for grading but more importantly we will use what we learned from the 3 elements to improve Teaching and Learning in St Lachteen’s N.S. and will have enjoyed strengthening our bonds with European Teaching Partners.