Erasmus + In Scoil Fhursa

Thanks to the continued support of Léargas and our Erasmus+ accreditation, Scoil Fhursa has developed a rich and varied programme of European collaboration over many years. Erasmus+ has given our pupils and staff opportunities to learn from others, share our own practice and build lasting connections with schools and educators across Europe.

Our work has included pupil and teacher mobilities, international meetings, teacher training courses, job shadowing and hosting visiting teachers and students. These experiences have allowed our staff to explore new approaches to teaching and learning, while also giving our pupils the chance to engage directly with children and schools in other countries.

A strong part of our Erasmus+ journey has been collaboration between pupils. Through eTwinning, pen-pal projects, Christmas card exchanges, shared classroom activities and multi-school conferences, children have developed friendships, improved their communication skills and gained a greater understanding of other cultures and traditions. These projects have helped make Europe feel real and relevant to our pupils.

Our Erasmus+ work has also supported a wide range of areas across the curriculum and school life. Staff have taken part in professional development relating to literacy, wellbeing, outdoor learning, art, history, special educational teaching, anti-bullying, digital learning and Artificial Intelligence. The knowledge and ideas gained through these courses and partnerships have been brought back to Scoil Fhursa and shared across the school community.

We have also been proud to participate in larger collaborative projects, including anti-bullying initiatives and our current SMAILE Artificial Intelligence project, which explores how AI can be understood and used responsibly and creatively in education. These projects have encouraged pupils and teachers to work together on important themes that extend far beyond the classroom.

Hosting has been another important element of our Erasmus+ experience. Scoil Fhursa has welcomed teachers, visiting educators and students from partner schools, giving us the opportunity to share our own approaches, showcase our school and learn through genuine professional exchange. In return, our teachers have benefited from job-shadowing opportunities and international training, observing practice in other European schools and bringing fresh ideas home.

Through Erasmus+, Scoil Fhursa has created a strong culture of international learning, inclusion, collaboration and professional growth. With the support of Léargas and our accreditation, these opportunities continue to enrich teaching and learning throughout our school and give both staff and pupils experiences that extend well beyond the classroom.