Scoileanna Ildánacha/Creative Schools are delighted to announce that applications for schools will open 18 February with a deadline of 17:30, Thursday 19 March 2020.  

Further information on the Creative Schools application process is available here. Applications must be submitted online and schools are encouraged to register in advance.

The initiative aims to put the arts and creativity at the heart of children and young people’s lives. It will support schools to develop and begin to implement their own Creative School Plan. Participating schools will work with a Creative Associate to understand, develop and celebrate their engagement with the arts, empowering them to bring about real change in the way they work. They will draw on the range of resources within their school and wider community, developing new ways of working that reinforce the impact of creativity on student learning, development and well-being. Using the Lundy Model as best practice, schools will ensure that children and young people will have a central role in this process.

All Department of Education and Skills-recognised primary and post-primary schools and Youthreach centres who have not already participated in a previous round of Creative Schools are eligible to apply.

150 new schools from across Ireland will join the initiative this year.  Participating schools receive a package of support each year including training, up to nine days of support from a Creative Associate and a once-off grant of €4,000 (in total) to implement their plans over the two school years 2020–21 and 2021–22.