EducAtional Disadvantage
Leading an
Inner City School NIAMH MURRAY PRINCIPAL OF RUTLAND ST NS, DUBLIN 1 What is your understanding or experience of DEIS? is a standard teacher interview question and one which could be posed to a much broader audience as there are some misconceptions. ‘The resources available’ is usually referenced first, but this is the last thing those of us working long term in DEIS schools would mention. The DEIS scheme serves schools in socioeconomically disadvantaged communities where often generations of educational disadvantage persist. It is a complex and multi-layered issue pertaining to wider social inequality, not easily shoe-horned into an acronym. Relationships are key to making any inroad into eradicating educational disadvantage, yet there is scant reference to these in the DEIS Plan. Relationships are not a ‘measurable’, yet they are what leading an inner-city school is all about.
The DEIS scheme serves schools in socioeconomically disadvantaged communities where often generations of educational disadvantage persist. It is a complex and multi-layered issue pertaining to wider social inequality, not easily shoe-horned into an acronym. ADVOCACY A considerable amount time is spent advocating for children, many of whom may not have a parent in a position to advocate for them – owing perhaps to a lack of confidence, addiction or mental health issues. Much time is spent liaising with Tusla, which can be exhausting and quite frustrating. Like most DEIS principals, this work 6
of navigating the social work system is shared with the HSCL, an utterly invaluable role. Liaising with outside agencies in relation to children is critical, making sure they are accessing the correct services and supports. Working with parents is paramount. It can be difficult to get parents to join a Parents Association as many don’t have the confidence. Smaller, more informal groups led by the HSCL tend to get better engagement. School attendance is still an enormous issue for a small number of children and time is spent chasing this up. Chronic or erratic attendance correlates strongly with poor academic attainment. Inadequate early intervention from Tusla means it is incumbent on the principal and HSCL to liaise with parents to ensure that children make it into school every morning. This places the principal in a tricky role. However, to disregard it would leave the child missing out on their education. SUPPORT Providing support to staff working in a challenging environment is crucial. It is important to pop in to teachers to check how a child is doing and how the teacher is faring. Some children experience such a level of emotional trauma that they may not be ready to learn and may be a disruptive influence in a class, which is stressful for a teacher. We have experienced some situations in recent times, which I find difficult to comprehend and I often wonder how a seven year-old can cope with their situation? When I explain the social work system to younger teachers, they find it extremely demoralising to think that children cannot be helped more than they are. I am concerned about the toll some of this takes on teachers, who have the child in their care all day and may
worry about them going home in the evening. I am extremely fortunate to have an amazing NEPS psychologist, who I often ask advice of in relation to supporting staff, as much as children, with some of the more complex situations.
The strong sense of community spirit in the inner city, as was demonstrated when our neighbour Kellie Harrington won Olympic gold, is what sets it apart as a fantastic place to work. TRAINING Working in DEIS throws up constant challenges, which result in schools seeking new ideas and ways of working. Stagnancy or boredom are words that are not in our vocabulary. Being forced to constantly adapt makes us dynamic as schools. The role of principal is challenging and rewarding but burnout is a real risk. Leading a school in the inner city comprises the superlatives – you experience the best and worst of times. The gangland feud in Dublin city took an enormous toll on the community. Nothing prepares you to attend the funeral of a parent who has been murdered and see their young children distressed. The strong sense of community spirit in the inner city, as was demonstrated when our neighbour Kellie Harrington won Olympic gold, is what sets it apart as a fantastic place to work. Put simply, it can be great fun and the laughs help keep us afloat during the difficult times. If you would like to get in touch with Niamh in relation to this article, you can email her at rutlandnsprincipal@ gmail.com.