Celebrating Excellence

Phil Beddard

Enniskillen Royal Grammar School

Enniskillen Royal Grammar School opened on 1 September 2016 as a co-educational voluntary grammar school, the result of the amalgamation of Portora Royal School and Enniskillen Collegiate Grammar School. It is located in Enniskillen, Co Fermanagh.

Phil Beddard is the Deputy Principal and part of his role is managing the school website. With the onset of COVID-19 and ensuing restrictions and upheavals for schools, Phil saw an opportunity to celebrate the work of the pupils and started a Celebration Gallery on the school’s website. The gallery showcases work from a wide range of subjects and is accessible to pupils, parents and the wider community.

Phil is sharing how the Celebration Gallery was started, how it is managed and the positive reception from pupils, staff, parents and the community.

Key Learning

Pupils who may not normally have been at the forefront in school had the opportunity to be recognised for their achievements
Allowed parents to see the teaching and learning taking place even when pupils were engaged in remote learning
It promoted sharing of good practice amongst colleagues
Encouraged staff to develop their professional expertise
Nurtured a sense of school community and continuity

Points to Consider

Start small. Begin by uploading perhaps some photographs and a piece of narrative
For managing the gallery divide the work up. The collection of pieces, the selection and formatting and finally the uploading
Be consistent and adhere to commitments for posting – start perhaps once a month or fortnightly
Encourage all teachers to become involved

Example