Colin Millar, Vice principal of Newtownards Model Primary School recently spent a week job shadowing a colleague at Ulrikaskolan, Ulricehamn in Sweden. As head of Pastoral Care Colin was very interested in the Swedish approach of inclusion of SEN pupils in school. He also intended to explore the curriculum in Swedish schools to develop pupils’ personal development including self esteem and independence.
The current N. Ireland curriculum mirrors the Scandinavian ethos in many respects, so job shadowing a peer in the Swedish system gave a valuable opportunity to discuss methodology, observe practical classroom approaches and share knowledge in an area of mutual interest.
By way of preparation, Colin made a power point presentation on the education system in Northern Ireland and pastoral care approaches currently in his own school. He also organised an information box to help provide an insight for his hosts on what a primary school in Northern Ireland is like.

Colin reported that “I found these experiences very interesting and observations I made have enabled me to draw up an action plan to use in my own school.”
  

Colin's action plan areas were:

• Developing learning zones outside the key stage 2 classrooms to enable private research and study.
• Working with the canteen staff to enable pupils to serve themselves and take responsibility to clean up after themselves.
• Introduction of brain gyms into classroom practice and SEN support classes to optimize brain development and activation in the learning process.