A Guide to IPPN
IPPN – The Organisation
WHO WE ARE
IPPN is the officially recognised professional network for primary school leaders in Ireland.
We connect, support and empower school leaders by harnessing the collective experience and wisdom of the network to enhance school leadership practice and deliver better outcomes for children, schools, communities, and the wider education system.
WHAT WE DO
IPPN works to support and strengthen the leadership of Ireland’s primary schools, and to contribute to shaping education policy and practice.
HOW WE DO IT
n We connect school leaders through a trusted national network to share experience, insight and support
n We listen carefully to the challenges and priorities of school leaders across all contexts
n We provide practical supports and services to develop and enhance school leadership practice
n We communicate to keep school leaders informed, and offer clarity, guidance and shared learning to support their leadership
n We carry out targeted advocacy grounded in the professional insight of school leaders
n We collaborate with education partners to help shape policy, practice and system priorities.
WHY WE DO IT
Impactful school leadership transforms the lives of children by enhancing their experience of school, the culture of learning, and the quality of education in Ireland.
All evidence confirms that school leadership is a key determinant of improved outcomes for children and school communities.
VISION, MISSION AND VALUES
In 2025, as part of the strategic planning process for the period 2026 to 2030, IPPN developed new statements of vision and mission, to better reflect its purpose, values and future direction. The new vision and mission statements are the result of deep reflection and robust consultation.
Vision
The quality of a child’s experience in primary school is deeply shaped by the leadership of their school. Therefore, we are working towards a future where every school leader is empowered and supported, to help all children thrive.
Our vision is:
Empowered school leadership helping every child to thrive.
Mission
Our mission is:
To create the environment in which school leadership can flourish. We create this environment through support, communication, and collaboration.
Honouring our Values
IPPN’s values represent the spirit and ethos of the organisation. They speak to the reality and aspiration of school leadership, how relationships are built, and what ultimately matters most in the work of school leaders.
These values are intentionally grounded in IPPN’s legacy. Is d’aon ghnó a úsáidtear téarmaí Gaeilge - aithnítear ról na gairme i gcaomhnú agus i gcur chun cinn na teanga.
(The use of the words in Irish is deliberate; it acknowledges the profession’s role in preserving and promoting the language.)
Misneach (Courage)
We understand and value the steadfast courage it takes to lead every day.
Tacaíocht (Support)
We recognise that support is fundamental to how we connect and collaborate as a network of school leaders.
Spreagadh (Inspiration)
We are inspired by and seek to inspire leadership that positively impacts children, schools and the communities they serve.
Supports & Services
IPPN seeks to empower school leaders and effective school leadership through the provision of high-quality supports and services that are in keeping with and informed by the needs of our members. From the National Support Office in Cork, IPPN offers the following supports and services to IPPN members.
LEADERSHIP SUPPORT
This one-to-one, confidential advisory service, provided by a team of skilled, experienced school leaders, offers collegial support and guidance of a non-directive and non-legal nature. Typically, the team responds to approximately 3,000 calls for support, annually. The team closely monitors the issues and queries raised by members and this information is factored into the plans for the development of resources and CPD.
E-SCÉAL
This weekly newsletter is issued every Thursday afternoon through the school year to principals and deputy principals. It is a vital ‘one-stop-shop’ resource, providing key information from across the education sector.
LEADERSHIP+
IPPN publishes five issues of Leadership+ per school year, showcasing members’ own research and the work IPPN does on behalf of members, as well as bringing external perspectives on matters of relevance to school leaders – researchers, policy-makers, stakeholders, education thought leaders etc.
Leadership+
Archive
STEPPING INTO LEADERSHIP
the dedicated support for Newly Appointed School Leaders
Stepping into Leadership is a bespoke support provided to newly appointed school leaders, as well as those stepping into a leadership role on a temporary basis, throughout their first two years in the role. With an emphasis on personal leadership development, Stepping into Leadership delivers reflections on leadership, planning prompts and professional guidance on a fortnightly basis, as well as signposting where to access key information. These key messages are designed to support and guide the school leader, to manage self, to reflect on their leadership practice, and to assist their personal development.
GROUP MENTORING
As part of the induction process to leadership, IPPN provides Group Mentoring to principals and deputy principals in their second year in the role. This builds on the support that has been provided to newly appointed school leaders in their first year in the role through the Tuiscint, Misneach, and Tánaiste programmes, and the one-to one mentoring service provided by Oide.
Group Mentoring is designed to facilitate reflection on leadership practice in the company of peers who are at the same stage on their leadership journey. Feedback and evaluations from ‘mentees’ has been very positive, with many expressing their appreciation for the service and how it gave them renewed confidence, space and time for reflection and specific goals and plans to address various aspects of their work.
SUPPORTS AVAILABLE ON IPPN’S WEBSITE
IPPN launched a brand-new website in September 2025. Now mobile and tablet device-friendly, the website provides access to a wealth of resources and supports for school leaders when they need them. These include the following:
Leadership Tools
IPPN’s research has identified that the top two stressors for primary school leaders are sheer quantity of work and a lack of time to focus on teaching and learning. School leaders report that they are consistently diverted from focusing on their core purpose by all the ‘stuff’ they have to do that has little or nothing to do with teaching and learning.
By way of response, IPPN has developed the following tools:
The Leadership Effectiveness Reflection Tool
n to facilitate reflection on leadership practice within the school
n to ensure a more balanced practice of the leadership and management dimensions of the role
n to promote a greater sharing or distribution of leadership.
The P-I-E-W Capacity Planning Framework
n to maintain a focus on the school’s stated priorities
n to manage school improvement planning
n to control and manage the flow of initiatives into the school.
A Guide to Leadership of Teaching and Learning
n to promote reflection upon and to inform the practice of leadership of teaching and learning
n to bring about a more balanced, distributed practice of leadership
n to ensure a greater focus on our core business of teaching and learning.
Resource Bundles
IPPN Resources Bundles are where school leaders will find the answers and supporting documentation relating to the most common queries they encounter in the day-to-day management of their schools. They are produced in an easy-to-use, interactive e-publication format and are hosted on ippn.ie and include:
n Communications
n PIEW – the Capacity Planning Framework
n Managing Safety, Health & Welfare in Schools
n Data Protection
n Recruitment – of teachers, SNAs, ancillary staff, assistant and deputy principals
n Child Protection
n Conflict Toolkit
Sample Policies
Here you will find sample policies that have been shared with IPPN by school leaders. Schools may consider using these sample policies as a starting point for the development of their own policy. It is important to remember that, while IPPN has reviewed these policies, the onus is on the school to ensure that any policy is up to date, and aligns with the latest circulars, guidance or legislation. All school policies should be ratified by the Board of Management prior to their publication.
Resources
A range of template resources has been developed and shared by school leaders. They have been categorised with reference to the four domains of the quality framework for leadership and management and have been further organised within those domains into sub-folders, for ease of access.
Be Well, Lead Well: Burnout Prevention
As part of IPPN’s Be Well, Lead Well campaign, IPPN commissioned a psychotherapist to develop a digital series exclusively for IPPN members. Burnout Prevention was launched in Autumn 2025 and made available to members. It is a self-paced online 9-step course to help school leaders identify potential burnout and put steps in place to mitigate
the risks of burnout. The emphasis is on prevention by recognising the signs and symptoms of stress and burnout, with practical tips and downloadable resources.
Networking@ippn.ie is a ‘closed’ mailing list which facilitates a peer-to-peer support community. It has more than 3,000 subscribers. Several million emails are sent through the mailing list each year.
The advice@ippn.ie mailing list is for sensitive, confidential and non-generic queries, which are answered offline as an extension of the Leadership Support service.
The advocacy@ippn.ie mailing list is to facilitate members sharing their observations with IPPN on current issues impacting on leadership practice and on schools.
Information gleaned from all of these supports and services informs IPPN’s advocacy work.
E-Services
EDUCATIONPOSTS.IE
The leading website for education-related vacancy advertising across, pre-school, primary, post-primary and third-level sectors, the following functionality is supported. In the 2024/25 school year, almost 15,000 vacancies were advertised on the site.
ONLINE APPLICATION PORTAL
The Portal facilitates the acceptance of applications online using integrated Standard Application Forms
or uploaded custom application forms. The portal functions in accordance with the Department of Education Information Note TC 0005/2023 and is specifically designed to reduce the administrative burden associated with recruitment. The portal facilitates all communication with applicants, generates an audit trail, and prompts the appropriate retention and deletion of data. The functionality of the portal has been updated to allow school leaders to track applications and numbers of applicants, prior to the closing date.
SUB SEEKER
Sub Seeker facilitates the short-term recruitment of teachers registered with the Teaching Council by primary and post primary schools. Teachers confirm availability for the next 10 working days. Schools can then search for relevant substitute teachers based on location and chosen dates. All teachers fully or partially matching the criteria will be listed. Schools then send offer emails to one or more teachers. As the system works on a ‘first come first served’ basis, the first teacher to accept the position will be successful. Public holidays and mandatory school
TextaParent is a fast, reliable and cost-effective way for schools to send text messages and push notifications to parents and staff.
closures are integrated into the Sub Seeker calendar, allowing availability to be set, and offers accepted, further into the future.
TEXTAPARENT.IE
TextaParent is a fast, reliable and cost-effective way for schools to send text messages and push notifications to parents and staff. Messages can be sent in English or as Gaeilge instantly or scheduled to be delivered at a specific time and date. There are no set-up costs or monthly standing charges, and the school’s usage can be monitored with an instant reporting system.
SUMMER PROGRAMME PORTAL
The Portal facilitates schools sourcing staff for the school-based summer programme. It allows Job Seekers (Teachers, SNAs, Students) to complete a form stating their availability and experience. Schools view and filter the entries by location, occupation, dates and experience, and contact Job Seekers directly.
HOME-BASED SUMMER PROGRAMME NOTICEBOARD
This allows Teachers and SNAs to post their availability for parents to view. Parents also have the option to create notices seeking Teachers and SNAs for homebased Summer Programme support in the home.
SCHOOL SUPPLIERS CATALOGUE
The School Suppliers Catalogue is a valuable resource to primary schools and provides them with a comprehensive list of quality school suppliers.
School Suppliers 2025
Continuous Professional Development
IPPN hosts local, regional and national CPD events for school leaders each year – conferences, shared learning days, a comprehensive online summer course, webinars and AGMs in each of the 31 IPPN city/county networks. These CPD events provided an opportunity to hear fresh thinking from leading figures in education and other sectors, to participate in stimulating workshops and to network with colleagues.
ANNUAL CONFERENCES
The annual principals’ conference is held in November each year, and around 1,000 principals attend. It comprises a combination of plenary sessions, seminars, networking opportunities, Be Well, Lead Well sessions and the Education Expo.
The annual deputy principals’ conference is held in February each year and around 500 deputy principals attend. It is structured in the same way as the principals’ event.
AUTUMN CITY/COUNTY NETWORK MEETINGS
There is an annual meeting of IPPN members held in each city/county network in September or October, bringing key updates, information on the ‘hot topics’ and offering support to members. It is an opportunity for members to meet their fellow principals and deputy principals. There is also an opportunity to
become more involved with IPPN by representing their city/county network at National Council level.
EDUCATION EXPO AT IPPN CONFERENCES
Education Expo brings together school leaders and well over 100 companies providing supports and services to schools under one roof during the IPPN annual principals’ and deputy principals’ conferences.
Advocacy
OUR APPROACH
We do this work through:
Stakeholder Development - building positive, collaborative relationships with the key stakeholders in education, to ensure that the challenges, concerns and opportunities relating to primary education and school leadership are fully understood.
Participation in Working Groups - IPPN is involved in a significant number working groups to progress the key challenges facing primary education and school leadership, including:
n Primary Education Forum (PEF) and its subcommittees
n Oide Leadership Committee
n Small School Action Research Project Steering Group
n Summer Programme Steering Group
n Project Advisory Group on the Administrative Executive Pilot
n DEIS Advisory Group
n NCSE Consultative Forum among many others.
IPPN is also represented internationally on the Boards and Committees of:
n the International Confederation of Principals (ICP) n European School Heads Association (ESHA).
Position Papers and Submissions - IPPN uses position papers (unsolicited) and submissions (requested) to set out our vision for particular aspects of primary education. They are evidence-based and reflect the issues being experienced in schools. In recent years, IPPN has advocated with stakeholders on the following topics:
n Teacher Supply
n Wellbeing of School Leaders
n Special Educational Needs
l Special class provision
l Assessment of Need
l Resourcing
l SNA Workforce Development
l Behaviours of Concern
l Irish Sign Language supports.
n Government Budget priorities
n Child Protection
n Summer works.
The full set of position papers and submissions is available in the Advocacy section of www.ippn.ie
RESEARCH
IPPN conducts its own research and commissions independent research to determine the nature and depth of the issues in primary education, particularly in relation to school leadership and management. The resulting research publications are used both to develop understanding of the issues, challenges and potential solutions among stakeholders, as well as to support school leaders directly in their work.
A significant driver of IPPN’s advocacy work and research has been our Sustainable Leadership Project. As part of this project, IPPN conducted an evidence-informed analysis of primary school leadership. That analysis identified:
n the extent to which the workload of school leaders was expanding year-on-year
n the disproportionate focus of that workload on administrative and bureaucratic tasks
n the impact of this on the effectiveness and sustainability of leadership roles
n the impact of this on the health and wellbeing of school leaders.
97% of the school leaders surveyed identified that what most undermined the sustainability of their roles is the number of tasks and responsibilities that divert their attention away from their core purpose as a school leader – the leadership of teaching and learning. A central focus of IPPN’s advocacy work has been on creating an awareness of this reality and proposing solutions that would enable a greater focus on core purpose.
Administration Executive Pilot Project
As a direct result of that advocacy work, the DEY has initiated the piloting of an Administrative Executive role in a small number of primary and post-primary schools. Each school in the pilot has employed an administrator to undertake a range of administrative and operational duties. The objective is to reduce the administrative burden of school leaders, to free up time for the leadership of teaching and learning, and to enhance the overall operation of the school. The pilot will be evaluated in terms of its potential
impact on reducing the workload of school leaders and creating more time to focus on teaching and learning.
Small Schools Clustering Action Research Project
IPPN has supported this project through facilitation of two clusters of four schools and liaising with the wider project team through the National Coordinator. Through this project, IPPN continues to advocate for national roll-out of approaches the clusters have found most helpful in supporting the leadership and management of small schools, not least the expansion of the Clustered Administrative Officer role, which is designed to ensure that key noneducational administrative tasks are undertaken by a skilled administrator across the cluster, and not by the leader of learning in the school.
The full set of research publications is available in the Advocacy section of our website.
LEADING FOR IMPACT: IPPN PODCAST
Arising from the work of the Advocacy & Communications committee of the National Council, IPPN has been trialling different ways of communicating with members and stakeholders on the importance of school leadership. Accordingly, the IPPN podcast – Leading for Impact was launched at the beginning of October 2025 with episodes available on 25+ podcast platforms. The series includes voices from within and outside education, exploring the experience of the practice of primary school leadership, the challenges that arise and the opportunities that present.
impact for leading the podcast
Strategic Priorities 2026-2030
LEADING FOR IMPACT
Leading for Impact is the central theme of our strategic plan. It reflects IPPN’s belief that empowered and supported leadership is key to better outcomes for children, stronger school communities, and a more sustainable school leadership profession. To realise this impact, leadership must be recognised, enabled and resourced across the education system. The strategy sets out how IPPN will contribute to that goal by supporting leadership practice, communicating insight and challenge, collaborating for practical change, and evolving its own structures to lead by example.
STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK
There are four ‘pillars’ that will guide IPPN’s work over the lifetime of the strategy. Each pillar is supported by clear goals, specific strategic actions, and measurable indicators of progress.
Supporting for Impact
IPPN is committed to empowering school leaders to lead confidently and with impact because this changes what is possible for children, schools and communities.
The following goals will guide IPPN’s work under this pillar:
1.1 To ensure school leaders have access to supports, services, tools and resources that enhance their leadership practice and role sustainability.
1.2 To support aspiring and emerging leaders in their preparation for leadership.
Communicating for Impact
IPPN harnesses the power of its network to articulate the real experience and professional insight of school leaders in order to shape educational policy, practice and priorities.
The following goals will guide IPPN’s work under this pillar:
2.1 To promote and channel the collective experience and insight of school leaders to inform practice, shape policy and influence the sustainable implementation of system priorities.
2.2 To provide evidence informed communications to members, stakeholders and the wider public about key issues, sectoral developments and organisational priorities.
IPPN builds strategic partnerships and coalitions of support to strengthen school leadership, to impact on the work of schools and to ultimately deliver better outcomes for all children.
Collaborating for Impact
IPPN builds strategic partnerships and coalitions of support to strengthen school leadership, to impact on the work of schools and to ultimately deliver better outcomes for all children.
The following goals will guide IPPN’s work under this pillar:
3.1 To nurture and develop key partnerships that support the achievement of strategic objectives.
3.2 To work collaboratively across the education sector to address shared challenges, deliver impact and improve outcomes.
Evolving for Impact
IPPN continues to evolve its structures, operations and governance to strengthen organisational capacity, uphold credibility and remain a trusted voice in Irish education.
The following goals will guide IPPN’s work under this pillar:
4.1 To ensure that optimal structures, processes, skillsets and leadership capacity are in place to deliver the organisation’s mission into the future.
4.2 To ensure that all elements of the organisation’s activities are aligned in service of mission.
Governance & Structure of the Organisation
IPPN is a company limited by guarantee. Membership of IPPN is open to all current serving Principals and Deputy Principals, whether in an acting capacity or otherwise, of primary schools in the Republic of Ireland. The membership is organised into 31 City/County Networks. Each member belongs to the City/County Network in which their school is situated and each City/County Network elects three representatives to the National Council.
NATIONAL COUNCIL AND ITS COMMITTEES
IPPN’s National Council
n ensures effective two-way communication between the National Council and the City/ County Networks and Local Support Groups
n represents the key professional issues, concerns and needs of the member’s City/County Network to the Board, National Council and its Committees and Working Groups
n assists the Board of Directors in developing IPPN policy
n attends the Annual General Meeting of the Company.
The 93 National Council representatives (3 from each of the 31 City/County Networks) serve on one of the three committees of the National Council:
Advocacy & Communications
This committee is involved in the advocacy work of IPPN, informing and shaping IPPN’s engagement on relevant issues with the education stakeholders.
Professional Development
This committee impacts and shapes the professional development opportunities that IPPN designs and delivers, ensuring that the CPD that members need and want is provided.
E-services
This committee impacts and shapes the web services supports that IPPN offers to members, ensuring that those services do what members need them to do in terms of functionality and accessibility.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
IPPN’s Board of Directors has the principal responsibility for the governance of the organisation and the achievement of its mission and has legal accountability for its operations. As a group, the Board establishes a clear organisational mission through the development, implementation and evaluation of a strategic plan. To access details of IPPN’s Board, see https://www.ippn.ie/about-us/ourgovernance/board-of-directors/
THE SUPPORT OFFICE TEAM
The CEO leads and manages the work of the Support Office team and all aspects of the organisation’s activities in service of the membership. To access details of IPPN’s team, see https://www.ippn.ie/about-us/our-team/
CHARITABLE STATUS
Since 2007, IPPN has been a not-for-profit organisation and a registered charity with CHY number 17221.
TRIPLE LOCK STANDARD
IPPN has been awarded the Triple Lock standard by the Charities Institute of Ireland. Triple Lock status is awarded to charities that uphold the highest standards in transparent reporting, ethical fundraising, and strong governance structures.
CONTACT US
We are keen to hear from school leaders and any other stakeholders who share our vision for primary education. You can contact us through one of the media below.
General Enquiries
+353 21 4824070
1800 21 22 23
info@ippn.ie
www.ippn.ie
@IPPN @IPPN_Education
IPPN National Support Office
Glounthaune Co. Cork T45 P406
More information about IPPN and the supports and services we offer to school leaders is available on our website www.ippn.ie.
Charitable Status
IPPN is a non-profit organisation and a registered charity with CHY number 17221