New: Eight Laois schools chosen for elite 'Creative Schools' programme

Eight Laois schools have been chosen for the arts council's Creative Schools programme. 

These eight schools are of 186 schools across the country to have joined the programme this year, including 51 DEIS schools and 23 Irish language schools.

Schools will receive a grant of €4,000, and will work with a professional Creative Associate for two years, who will support them to develop and implement their own bespoke Creative School Plan. 

The Laois schools included in this programme are:

• Ballyfin NS, Ballyfin
• Ballinakill Mixed Ns, Ballinakill
• Scoil Mhuire, Wolfhill
• The Swan Ns, The Swan
• Scoil Phadraig, Portarlington
• St Francis Special School, Portlaoise
• Scoil Chomhgháin Naofa, Killeshin
• St Pius X National School, Ballacolla

A total of 17 schools across the Midlands have been accepted to the programme.

This brings a total of 1,100 the number of Irish schools who have participated since the programme began in 2018, meaning a quarter of all schools.

Minister for Education Norma Foley TD said: “It is wonderful to welcome the 186 schools to the Creative Schools initiative 2024. I would like to personally welcome these new schools into this unique programme.

"I’m very excited to see how these creative and captivating projects will develop over the coming two years," the Minister finished.

Pictured: St Bernadettes SNS Clondalkin Dublin 22, one of 186 schools chosen for the programme this year.

Creative Schools is a flagship initiative of the Government’s Creative Ireland Programme, and encourages the inclusion of the arts and creativity in children's lives.

The initiative is led by the Arts Council in partnership with the Department of Education and the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media.  

Director of the Arts Council Maureen Kennelly warmly welcomed the news.

"Following the wonderful success of Creative February for schools this year, we are heartened to see a clear increase in applications for this incredible resource," the Director said.

"By this stage of the programme, we’re delighted to say that 25% of all schools in Ireland have connected with us. We know that arts experiences with, for and by children can be transformative.

"Working with our partners in the Department of Education, and in the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media and in Creative Ireland, we are looking forward to another school year full of exploration, creative thinking, discovery and most importantly fun," Director Kennelly finished.

Creative Schools receive applications from counties across the country. They are assessed on how the initiative would benefit learning and development in the school and how children and young people would play a central role in leading the process. 

Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media Catherine Martin TD congratulated the chosen schools, calling the programme a 'journey of creativity and discovery.'

"Again, this year sees a continuous increase in the diversity of settings in receipt of support," said Minister Martin.

"This is a testament to its impact and the strength of the partnership between the Art Council, the Department of Education and the all-of-government Creative Ireland Programme," she finished.