Paula O’Hare-Armstrong

Developing Thinking Skills & Personal Capabilities through Shared Education

St. Paul’s HS, Bessbrook

St. Paul’s HS, Bessbrook has had a long history of engaging in Shared Education Partnership working. Since the first Shared Education Project (SEP), which was funded by QUB, they have worked together with Newtonhamilton HS, Newry HS and St. Joseph’s College, Crossmaglen. This partnership has continued to progress throughout the Shared Education Signature Project.

There is not only an emphasis on bringing pupils together for Shared Activity but also providing opportunities for staff to engage in Joint Practice Development. This has enabled the partnership to develop programmes based on common needs identified through the sharing of School Development Plans or from partnership self-evaluation.

Paula O'Hare-Armstrong is currently a Physical Education Teacher in St. Paul's HS, Bessbrook and is the Director for Quality Assurance within their organisation. Paula is an experienced practitioner who has the opportunity to engage in Joint Practice Development (JPD) Programmes focused on the development of Thinking Skills & Personal Capabilities. Paula is currently the Metacognition Champion for her partnership and is responsible for driving these approaches in order to improve outcomes for pupils and to enhance their Learning experiences.

Key learning

When considering ways to develop your Shared Education Partnership

  • Embedding Thinking Skills and Personal Capabilities through Shared Education lessons

  • Working collaboratively with colleagues across partnership schools to share practice and observe learning

  • Explore opportunities to develop resources and materials which encourage thinking and understanding views

Questions to consider for your Shared Education Partnership:

  • How can I infuse Thinking Skills and Personal Capabilities into my Shared Education Lessons?

  • Is the skills taught within Shared Lessons being explicitly shared with the pupils engaged in the learning?

  • How can I work with my partner school to share expertise, practice and resources that will improve the learning experience for our pupils?