Oct
20
11:00 am11:00
Oct
21
10:00 am10:00
Student Perspectives On Teaching & Learning In The Educational space (SPOTLITE)
ACCS is pleased to announce an opportunity forschools to take part in SPOTLITE training with a view to introducing the programme in their own school and join a community of practice among community and comprehensive schools. A participant’s guide, access to digital resources and a padlet will be provided on the day.
OBJECTIVES: Professor Laura Lundy has described SPOTLITE as “having the potential to blaze a trail in education and student voice, not just in Ireland but around the world!” Students and staff in schools taking part have said that across the board, the programme has been transformative. SPOTLITE is heavily influenced by the Lundy Model of Child Participation using Space, Voice, Audience and Influence as its foundation, Roger Harts Ladder of Participation and the LAOS 2022 Quality Framework. In short, it gives students a model and agency to be a catalyst for change and have meaningful and authentic influence in the core business of school, particularly regarding decision making, policy, learning, teaching and assessment.
WHO SHOULD ATTEND? Four people per school, 2 Students, 1 member of the SLT and a coordinating teacher.
DATE: 21/10/26
TIME: 10.00 am – 3.00 pm
VENUE: Mullingar Park Hotel, Co. Westmeath
Oct
22
9:30 am09:30
ACCS Monthly Briefing for Boards of Management and School Leaders
Education Updates/Current Issues – A series of one- hour webinars hosted online on the TEAMS platform
OBJECTIVES: These practical and popular monthly online events enable participants to receive key updates on day-to-day issues, participate in a Q & A session, and receive reminders. Schools are invited to submit queries to ACCS Head Office prior to the webinars and will have the opportunity to discuss these during the webinar.
WHO SHOULD ATTEND? Principal, Deputy Principal(s), and Board of Management Members.
Nov
12
10:00 am10:00
ICT Conference
The ICT Sub-Committee will host an in-person event this year to support schools as they respond to the rapidly evolving role of information technology in education.
OBJECTIVES: In the context of Senior Cycle redevelopment and the continued advancement of Artificial Intelligence (AI), schools are increasingly required to consider how emerging technologies canbe used appropriately, effectively and responsibly. The conference will provide opportunities for school leaders and ICT personnel to engage with current developments, share practice and explore the implications of AI for teaching, learning, assessment and school planning. The programme will include plenary sessions, workshops and facilitated discussions focused on:
Developments in Artificial Intelligence within education and wider society;
The role of technology in supporting Senior Cycle redevelopment;
Practical and ethical considerations for the use of AI in schools; and
Opportunities for schools to share practice, build capacity and plan for future developments.
WHO SHOULD ATTEND? Principal, Deputy Principal(s), Digital Leaders, and ICT Coordinators.
DATE: 12/11/26
TIME: 10.00 am – 3.30 pm
VENUE: Mullingar Park Hotel, Co. Westmeath
Nov
25
10:00 am10:00
Student Perspectives On Teaching & Learning In The Educational space (SPOTLITE)
ACCS is pleased to announce an opportunity forschools to take part in SPOTLITE training with a view to introducing the programme in their own school and join a community of practice among community and comprehensive schools. A participant’s guide, access to digital resources and a padlet will be provided on the day.
OBJECTIVES: Professor Laura Lundy has described SPOTLITE as “having the potential to blaze a trail in education and student voice, not just in Ireland but around the world!” Students and staff in schools taking part have said that across the board, the programme has been transformative. SPOTLITE is heavily influenced by the Lundy Model of Child Participation using Space, Voice, Audience and Influence as its foundation, Roger Harts Ladder of Participation and the LAOS 2022 Quality Framework. In short, it gives students a model and agency to be a catalyst for change and have meaningful and authentic influence in the core business of school, particularly regarding decision making, policy, learning, teaching and assessment.
WHO SHOULD ATTEND? Four people per school, 2 Students, 1 member of the SLT and a coordinating teacher.
DATE: 25/11/26
TIME: 10.00 am – 3.00 pm
VENUE: Mullingar Park Hotel, Co. Westmeath
Dec
3
to 4 Dec
The Annual ACCS In-School Management (ISM) Conference
The ISM conference is an important social and professional learning event for Principals and Deputy Principals to network and build relationships and communities of practice with colleagues. This event also provides a valuable opportunity for relevant and targeted in-service for senior leaders in our schools.
The programme for the event is organised by the ACCS ISM Task Group. For the 2026 event, it is hoped that the conference will focus on the sharing of good practice between schools in the area of fostering and nurturing exceptionally able and talented students.
WHO SHOULD ATTEND? Principal & Deputy Principal(s) of Community & Comprehensive Schools.
DATES: 03/12/26 & 04/12/26
TIME: Lunch from 12.15 pm.
1.30 pm - 5.30 pm (Thursday)
9.15 am - 1.30 pm (Friday)
VENUE: Farnham Estate Spa & Golf Resort, Co. Cavan
Dec
17
9:30 am09:30
ACCS Monthly Briefing for Boards of Management and School Leaders
Education Updates/Current Issues – A series of one- hour webinars hosted online on the TEAMS platform
OBJECTIVES: These practical and popular monthly online events enable participants to receive key updates on day-to-day issues, participate in a Q & A session, and receive reminders. Schools are invited to submit queries to ACCS Head Office prior to the webinars and will have the opportunity to discuss these during the webinar.
WHO SHOULD ATTEND? Principal, Deputy Principal(s), and Board of Management Members.
Jan
20
10:00 am10:00
SEN Conference
The SEN Sub-Committee will host an in-person event this year to support schools in implementing recent developments in Special and Inclusive Education.
This continues to be a rapidly evolving and increasingly significant area for schools. The conference will provide up-to-date guidance, informed by contributions from educational partners with specialist expertise in SEN. It is also intended that a number of ACCS schools will facilitate workshops, sharing approaches that have contributed to effective and inclusive models of SEN provision within their own school contexts.
WHO SHOULD ATTEND? School Principal/Deputy Principal(s), SEN Coordinator and personnel leading in SEN planning, coordination, and implementation at school level.
DATE: 20/01/27
TIME: 10.00 am – 3.30 pm
VENUE: Mullingar Park Hotel, Co Westmeath
Jan
28
9:30 am09:30
ACCS Monthly Briefing for Boards of Management and School Leaders
Education Updates/Current Issues – A series of one- hour webinars hosted online on the TEAMS platform
OBJECTIVES: These practical and popular monthly online events enable participants to receive key updates on day-to-day issues, participate in a Q & A session, and receive reminders. Schools are invited to submit queries to ACCS Head Office prior to the webinars and will have the opportunity to discuss these during the webinar.
WHO SHOULD ATTEND? Principal, Deputy Principal(s), and Board of Management Members.
Feb
9
to 10 Feb
The Middle Leadership Training Programme – Cohort 7 Residential 2
In 2019, ACCS introduced the Middle Leadership Training Programme following requests from its member Boards for specific in-service aimed at embedding distributed leadership culture in Community and Comprehensive schools. The programme was one of the first to be accredited by the Centre for School Leadership (Oide).
OBJECTIVES: The content and materials of the programme are based on three pillars; the tenets of leadership as set out in CL 0003/18, the LAOS 2022 framework and the six step SSE process. The focus on distributed leadership is set in international and national policy and in local practices and drivers established at international and national level are considered and explored during the programme. However, the school’s context, the specific factors which influence its culture and understanding how context impacts on those who lead learning within the school community is a crucial aspect to the work completed by the school team.
One of the key learning outcomes of the programme is to promote a deeper understanding that all posts of responsibility are aimed at improving learning and teaching practices in schools. Colleagues in leadership positions in schools are challenged to support their own colleagues in the classroom and do so, building on current best practice in their school.
WHO SHOULD ATTEND? Cohort 7 (School teams engaged in the seventh cohort of Middle Leadership Training). Team includes API, APII and one member of the senior leadership team in schools.
Cohort 7: Residential Two
DATE: 09/02/27 TIME: 10.00 am – 6.00 pm
DATE: 10/02/27 TIME: 9.00 am – 1.00 pm
VENUE: Mullingar Park Hotel, Co. Westmeath
Feb
25
10:00 am10:00
Competency-Based Recruitment and Selection for Principal and Deputy Principal Appointments
ACCS will deliver an in-person training session to support chairpersons of boards of management, principals, and selection committee members in managing the recruitment and selection process, and conducting a competency-based interview for the appointment of a principal or deputy principal.
WHAT THE TRAINING COVERS:
Roles and responsibilities of the board of
management and selection committee
Key stages of the appointment process, from
advertising to job offer
Effective competency-based interview questioning
Evidence-based evaluation of candidates
WHO SHOULD ATTEND? This training is particularly relevant for schools anticipating a principal or deputyprincipal vacancy in the coming school year, including:
Chairpersons of boards of management
Principals
Educationalists serving on selection committees
It is important that members of selection committees for principal/deputy principal appointments are trained in competency-based interviewing.
DATE: 25/02/2027
TIME: 10.00 am - 1.00 pm
VENUE: Mullingar Park Hotel, Co. Westmeath.
Mar
3
to 5 Mar
ACCS Annual Convention 2027
The ACCS Annual Convention marks the AGM of the Boards of Management of all Community and Comprehensive schools and celebrates the work of ACCS in the preceding year. This event is one of the most important meetings in the ACCS annual calendar and provides an opportunity for ACCS, its partner stakeholders, and all Boards of Management of the Community and Comprehensive schools to network and engage in meaningful and relevant in-service in governance related topics over the three days.
WHO SHOULD ATTEND? Principal plus two Members of the Board of Management.
DATE: 03/03/27 – 05/03/27
VENUE: The Castlecourt Hotel, Wesport, Co. Mayo.
IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER:
11/12/26: Resolutions/motions and/or nominations for the Presidency must be submitted to ACCS.
12/01/27: Nominations for Presidency – including resolutions/motions – to be issued to Member Boards and Executive members. Member Boards will be invited to submit amendments to the motions.
04/02/27: Deadline for submission of amendments to resolutions/motions.
Apr
22
9:30 am09:30
The ACCS Annual Education Conference 2027
The Education Conference in 2027 provides a vital opportunity for school leaders and teacher leaders to network and share ideas on specific themes and areas of interest. The focus of this annual conference is on teaching, learning and assessment practices and this event supports the development of communities of practices among our schools.
WHO SHOULD ATTEND? Principal, Deputy Principal(s), relevant school leaders and members of Boards of Management.
DATE: 22/04/27
TIME: 9.30 am - 3.30 pm
VENUE: TBC
Apr
29
9:30 am09:30
ACCS Monthly Briefing for Boards of Management and School Leaders
Education Updates/Current Issues – A series of one- hour webinars hosted online on the TEAMS platform
OBJECTIVES: These practical and popular monthly online events enable participants to receive key updates on day-to-day issues, participate in a Q & A session, and receive reminders. Schools are invited to submit queries to ACCS Head Office prior to the webinars and will have the opportunity to discuss these during the webinar.
WHO SHOULD ATTEND? Principal, Deputy Principal(s), and Board of Management Members.
May
27
9:30 am09:30
ACCS Monthly Briefing for Boards of Management and School Leaders
Education Updates/Current Issues – A series of one- hour webinars hosted online on the TEAMS platform
OBJECTIVES: These practical and popular monthly online events enable participants to receive key updates on day-to-day issues, participate in a Q & A session, and receive reminders. Schools are invited to submit queries to ACCS Head Office prior to the webinars and will have the opportunity to discuss these during the webinar.
WHO SHOULD ATTEND? Principal, Deputy Principal(s), and Board of Management Members.
Sept
29
to 30 Sept
The Middle Leadership Training Programme – Cohort 7 Residential 1
In 2019, ACCS introduced the Middle Leadership Training Programme following requests from its member Boards for specific in-service aimed at embedding distributed leadership culture in Community and Comprehensive schools. The programme was one of the first to be accredited by the Centre for School Leadership (Oide).
OBJECTIVES: The content and materials of the programme are based on three pillars; the tenets of leadership as set out in CL 0003/18, the LAOS 2022 framework and the six step SSE process. The focus on distributed leadership is set in international and national policy and in local practices and drivers established at international and national level are considered and explored during the programme. However, the school’s context, the specific factors which influence its culture and understanding how context impacts on those who lead learning within the school community is a crucial aspect to the work completed by the school team.
One of the key learning outcomes of the programme is to promote a deeper understanding that all posts of responsibility are aimed at improving learning and teaching practices in schools. Colleagues in leadership positions in schools are challenged to support their own colleagues in the classroom and do so, building on current best practice in their school.
WHO SHOULD ATTEND? Cohort 7 (School teams engaged in the seventh cohort of Middle Leadership Training). Team includes API, APII and one member of the senior leadership team in schools.
Cohort 7: Residential One
DATE: 29/09/26 TIME: 10.00 am – 6.00 pm
DATE: 30/09/26 TIME: 9.00 am – 1.00 pm
VENUE: Mullingar Park Hotel, Co. Westmeath
Sept
16
1:30 pm13:30
ACCS Area Information Meeting (Dublin/Leinster)
ACCS Area Information Meetings
Regional In-Person Board of Management Training on Governance to include: Finance, Health & Safety, Human Resources, Child Protection & GDPR.
WHO SHOULD ATTEND? Principal, Secretary, Board of Management, Chairperson and Board of Management Members.
DUBLIN/LEINSTER
DATE: 16/09/26 TIME: 1.30 pm – 4.30 pm
VENUE: Lawlor’s Hotel, Naas, Co Kildare.
Sept
15
1:30 pm13:30
ACCS Area Information Meeting (Munster)
ACCS Area Information Meetings
Regional In-Person Board of Management Training on Governance to include: Finance, Health & Safety, Human Resources, Child Protection & GDPR.
WHO SHOULD ATTEND? Principal, Secretary, Board of Management, Chairperson and Board of Management Members.
MUNSTER
DATE: 15/09/26 TIME: 1.30 pm – 4.30 pm
VENUE: Castletroy Park Hotel, Limerick.
Sept
14
1:30 pm13:30
ACCS Area Information Meeting (Ulster/Connacht)
ACCS Area Information Meetings
Regional In-Person Board of Management Training on Governance to include: Finance, Health & Safety, Human Resources, Child Protection & GDPR.
WHO SHOULD ATTEND? Principal, Secretary, Board of Management, Chairperson and Board of Management Members.
ULSTER/CONNACHT
DATE: 14/09/26 TIME: 1.30 pm – 4.30 pm
VENUE: Radisson Blu Hotel & Spa, Rosses Point, Sligo.
Sept
1
6:00 pm18:00
Child Protection Procedures for Schools
OBJECTIVES: To give an overview of the updates to the Child Protection Procedures 2025.
To assist compliance with the deadline of 31st December 2026 for implementation of procedures in schools.
Content includes:
Background to the changes
What has changed in the 2025 procedures
The Child Protection Oversight Report
Schools are invited to submit questions to the ACCS Head Office in advance, which will be addressed during the session.
WHO SHOULD ATTEND? Principal, Secretary, Board of Management, Chairperson and Board of Management Members.
Aug
27
4:00 pm16:00
The Appointment Process for Leadership and Management Posts
Many schools will have vacancies in leadership and management posts in the new school year. This webinar will provide attendees with a practical overview of the appointment process from the initiation of the process by the Board of Management through to the provision of feedback to candidates.
THE WEBINAR WILL COVER:
The Role of the Board of Management
The Review Process
New Posts Arising from Senior Cycle Redevelopment Measures
Advertising and Pre-Interview Preparation
Conducting the Interview
Devising Competency Based Questions
The Establishment of Panels for Acting Posts
Note-taking and Providing Feedback
The Appeal Process
This webinar will be particularly beneficial to those who are new to the appointment process, as well as experienced members seeking a refresher on current developments.
WHO SHOULD ATTEND?
Principals, Trustee Nominees serving on Selection Committees for Leadership and Management Posts, and Independent Panel Members.
Aug
24
9:30 am09:30
ACCS Monthly Briefing for Boards of Management and School Leaders
Education Updates/Current Issues – A series of one- hour webinars hosted online on the TEAMS platform
OBJECTIVES: These practical and popular monthly online events enable participants to receive key updates on day-to-day issues, participate in a Q & A session, and receive reminders. Schools are invited to submit queries to ACCS Head Office prior to the webinars and will have the opportunity to discuss these during the webinar.
WHO SHOULD ATTEND? Principal, Deputy Principal(s), and Board of Management Members.
Aug
10
to 11 Aug
Induction of newly appointed Principals & Deputy Principals in Community & Comprehensive Schools
The ACCS Induction Programme for newly appointed Principals and Deputy Principals will be facilitated over two sessions in the 2026/27 school year. The first session takes place in August in the Sheraton Hotel, Athlone where ACCS will be working in tandem with the Oide Leadership Team. The follow-up session will take place on the 20th October at ACCS Head Office. The Induction programme is accredited by Oide and is a bespoke programme designed for newly appointed senior leaders working in schools in our sector.
OBJECTIVES: This comprehensive programme is designed to support new school leaders in their understanding of topics such as School Governance with reference to:
Understanding, maintaining, and developing the key relationship between the joint patrons, the Board of Management and the school community
Managing Child Protection
Admissions: Leading the inclusive school
Managing Data Protection
Financial Matters (FSSU)
Health & Safety, Site and Building Matters
Leading HR and building positive working relationships with colleagues
Managing SSE and school policy development
Developing meaningful, collaborative teaching and learning experiences
Supporting the care and management of students
Participants will be given opportunities to learn about the C&C sector, to network with colleagues and to work with experienced senior leadership teams from C&C schools during this programme.
Each participant will receive a reference guide/handbook which includes useful and relevant resources, templates and guidelines.