Education Ireland Project #62960

Centre of Excellence for Self Directed Education

by North West Democratic School

Centre of Excellence for Self Directed Education

Project Report | Dec 8, 2025
December 2025

By Maura Duignan | Staff Member

This new school year has seen great participation in the arts and sports.

Eight students competed in the senior category of the local Athletics Fest, forming two teams of four for the 4 x 100m relay. Under sunny skies, they performed incredibly well—especially considering it was the first competitive race of this kind for most of them. The girls' team narrowly missed out on second place, finishing a strong third in their race, while the boys placed fourth. It was a fantastic effort all around, and they represented the school with pride. For many, it was their first experience in competitive running and team athletics.

We also had a brilliant day out at the Hyde Bridge Gallery, Sligo, exploring creativity and imagination together. This visit was extra special, as the exhibition included some of the students’ own artwork created during the Primary Colours Art Education Residency 2025. The children themselves, their art, and our school, were the main subjects of the show! The visit included a hands-on workshop with artist Lucy Goodier, where we played with shadows and built dynamic model figures that seemed ready to leap into action. Then we turned to the art of sound and words, creating our own bits of poetry that brought stories to life in unexpected ways. It was a day full of curiosity, laughter, and discovery.

After a showstopping work in progress performance at The Factory in Sligo last year, we are thrilled to present the full production of Just One Song in March 2026 at Sligo's Hawkswell Theatre. Our writers and performers remain dedicated, creative, and passionate, and we look forward to seeing their hard work come to life on stage.

The opportunity to dedicate time and effort in an area of interest to them allows children to excel and creates lifelong learners who approach activities with passion and internal motivation.

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Aug 18, 2025
August 2025

By Maura Duignan | Staff Member

We wrapped up the school year in June with vibrant musical performances, a celebration of Gaisce Awards and completed projects, and a joyful community party.

As our student numbers continue to grow, we’re excited to welcome two new staff members who will be joining us in September.

With this growth, the need to expand our school facilities and create more space for children to thrive is more pressing than ever. Now, more than ever, we need your support.

Our dedicated staff and parent community have been working hard on local fundraising initiatives to raise both awareness and the essential funds needed to support our school’s development.

We’re delighted to share that over €6,000 in community funds have been raised in the past few months, along with a generous individual donation of €12,000 — bringing our total to over €18,000! And with more events and initiatives still in motion, the momentum is only growing.

What’s made this term’s fundraising especially special is how many of the efforts have brought our community together—building friendships, sharing joyful experiences, and supporting the continued development of our school. It’s a real win-win for everyone involved!

In May, one of our wonderful grandparents led a guided walk on Benbulbin in support of the Build Fund. It was a perfect blend of great company, sunshine, breathtaking views—and a great cause. The event raised €325 and added beautifully to our community fundraising. A huge thank you to her!

June brought us the unforgettable Pizza Island Experience at Lough Key—a magical day and night filled with campfires, water fun, amazing pizza, and Fabio’s famous ice cream. This much-loved event raised €1,096 and is already shaping up to become an annual tradition. Enormous thanks to all the Pizza Island organisers, and of course for the delicious (and generously donated) ice cream!

The coffee stall has become a beloved feature of the morning school drop-off, as the friendly presence of our host and top-notch coffee continue to brighten everyone’s day while bringing in a steady stream of support for the Build Fund for the Centre of Excellence. We’re so grateful for her dedication, generosity, and community spirit.

We couldn't do what we do without the generous support of our sponsors, donors, and volunteers. We appreciate all the help, encouragement, and support we have received and work very hard to ensure that your support goes where it is most needed. With your continued help, we can continue to provide an opportunity for children to reach their full potential, empowered by self-directed education. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

Please consider becoming a regular donor to help make a real change in education for children.

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Centre of Excellence Ireland Democratic Education (PDF)

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Apr 21, 2025
April 2025

By Maura Duignan | Staff Member

School Newspaper

Over the past few months, our school community has been buzzing with creativity, collaboration, and achievement. From hands-on workshops and environmental projects to celebrations and engineering triumphs, we’ve had an incredibly rich and rewarding start to the year.

Seasonal Crafts and Workshops
We marked the seasonal shift with two unforgettable artistic experiences. Under the guidance of Bridget O’Connell, students explored traditional techniques in weaving with rush and willow, while Rob Ireson led a captivating workshop on sculpting copper leaves. These workshops offered a meaningful way to connect with nature and creativity—experiences that will stay with us for years to come.

Community Spirit and Spring Clean Meitheal
In February, our ever-supportive parent community came together for the Spring Clean Meitheal. Their energy and dedication made a huge impact on our school environment, and we’re so grateful for the time and care they invested.

The Sudbury Times – A Student Voice
Just in time for Valentine’s Day, our students launched the first edition of The Sudbury Times. This student-led newspaper has been met with rave reviews! Brimming with humour, heartwarming stories, interviews, cartoons, fun facts, and thoughtful articles, it’s a wonderful reflection of our students’ creativity and voice.

Cultural Enrichment and Irish Dance
Thanks to generous funding from Creative Ireland, we welcomed an Irish dance teacher to our school. Weekly ceili dancing sessions have brought joy, rhythm, and cultural connection to our community. These sessions have also helped prepare students for public celebrations and performances.

Environmental Action – Native Woodland Project
We were thrilled to receive a generous supply of native trees from FreeTreesIreland, allowing us to kick-start our Native Woodland Project on school grounds. This is a big step in our ongoing commitment to environmental stewardship and hands-on ecological education.

Engineering Innovation at the ATU Sligo Fair
March brought a major moment of pride as three of our students presented their project at the ATU Sligo Engineering Fair. Their inventive mousetrap-powered car—enhanced with wings to create a flying design—captured the imagination of the judges. Their detailed explanation and innovative thinking earned them the Best Overall Project prize. We’re incredibly proud of their achievement and excited to support their future in engineering and innovation.

St. Patrick’s Day Parade Success
Our involvement in the St. Patrick’s Day Sligo Parade was the culmination of three months of preparation. Students poured energy into learning ceili dancing, crafting costumes, and designing our vibrant school float. Their hard work paid off—we were honoured to win the category for Best Representation of Theme! It was a true celebration of creativity, culture, and community spirit.

Gratitude
A heartfelt thanks to Creative Ireland and Sligo County Council for their ongoing support. Their contributions have helped bring so many of these enriching experiences to life.

Staff Day Out

St Patrick's Day

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