The NCCA Primary Podcast

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Welcome to the NCCA primary podcast, a podcast from the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment. We speak to teachers, principals, researchers and other stakeholders, providing a space where we can bring together and share different ideas and perspectives. We hope that this will spark your own conversations around curriculum and we welcome you to get in touch with the podcast by emailing us at podcast@ncca.ie or by using the hashtag #nccapodcast to continue the conversation on social media.

  1. E18: Child agency - From understanding to practice (Part 1) – Dr Siobhán Keenan Fitzgerald and Shelly Furlong.

    11/26/2025

    E18: Child agency - From understanding to practice (Part 1) – Dr Siobhán Keenan Fitzgerald and Shelly Furlong.

    ‘Child agency’ and ‘child voice’ are terms that are often used in conversations about curriculum change. Sometimes, however, this can feel abstract or difficult to translate into practice. Over these two episodes, we want to unpack what child agency really is, why it matters, and how teachers can support it in their classrooms. In the first episode, we focus on understanding child agency, what it is, why it matters, its impact, and some of the challenges teachers might face. In the second episode, we move into the practical side, looking at how curriculum and classroom practice can actively foster agency. The NCCA Primary Podcast is available on the ⁠NCCA Website⁠, Spotify, Apple Podcasts and other podcast hosting platforms. Join the conversation on social media using the hashtag #nccapod  To find out more about primary curriculum developments visit ncca.ie/primary   Follow us on social media:  Facebook: @nccaireland   Instagram: ncca_irl   LinkedIn: NCCAie   X: @nccaie

    49 min
  2. E19: Child agency - From understanding to practice (Part 2) - Dr Siobhán Keenan Fitzgerald and Shelly Furlong.

    11/26/2025

    E19: Child agency - From understanding to practice (Part 2) - Dr Siobhán Keenan Fitzgerald and Shelly Furlong.

    Child agency’ and ‘child voice’ are terms that are often used in conversations about curriculum change. Sometimes, however, this can feel abstract or difficult to translate into practice. Over these two episodes, we want to unpack what child agency really is, why it matters, and how teachers can support it in their classrooms. In the first episode, we focus on understanding child agency, what it is, why it matters, its impact, and some of the challenges teachers might face. In the second episode, we move into the practical side, looking at how curriculum and classroom practice can actively foster agency. The NCCA Primary Podcast is available on the ⁠NCCA Website⁠, Spotify, Apple Podcasts and other podcast hosting platforms. Join the conversation on social media using the hashtag #nccapod  To find out more about primary curriculum developments visit ncca.ie/primary   Follow us on social media:  Facebook: @nccaireland   Instagram: ncca_irl   LinkedIn: NCCAie   X: @nccaie

    42 min
  3. E17: 'What makes learning inclusive?' Exploring the redeveloped curriculum (Dr Catherine Merrigan and Dr Barry Morrissey)

    11/19/2025

    E17: 'What makes learning inclusive?' Exploring the redeveloped curriculum (Dr Catherine Merrigan and Dr Barry Morrissey)

    In this episode we discuss Inclusion and the Primary Curriculum Framework (PCF), what it means for a child to experience an inclusive education and flexibility as the cornerstone of inclusive practice. Our guests on this podcast are Dr Barry Morrissey (Dublin City University) and Dr Catherine Merrigan (National Council for Special Education).  Barry and Catherine also discuss inclusive relationships and collaborative learning, the Additional Support Pathways and a responsive approach to teaching and learning. The NCCA Primary Podcast is available on the NCCA Website, Spotify, Apple Podcasts and other podcast hosting platforms. Join the conversation on social media using the hashtag #nccapod  To find out more about primary curriculum developments visit ncca.ie/primary   Follow us on social media:  Facebook: @nccaireland   Instagram: ncca_irl   LinkedIn: NCCAie   X: @nccaie  E17: ‘Cad a dhéanann an fhoghlaim chuimsitheach?’ Ag iniúchadh an churaclaim athfhorbartha (An Dr Liz Catherine Merrigan agus an Dr Barry Morrissey) Sa chlár seo, pléimid cuimsiú agus an Creatchuraclam na Bunscoile (CnaB) — cad is brí le hoideachas cuimsitheach do pháiste agus an solúbthacht mar bhunchloch na cleachtais chuimsithí. Tá An Dr Barry Morrissey (Ollscoil Chathair Bhaile Átha Cliath) agus An Dr Catherine Merrigan (An Chomhairle Náisiúnta um Oideachas Speisialta) linn mar aíonna ar an bpodchraoladh seo. Pléann Barry agus Catherine freisin caidrimh chuimsitheacha agus foghlaim chomhoibríoch, na Conairí Tacaíochta Breise, agus cur chuige freagrúil i leith teagaisc agus foghlama. Tá Podchraoladh Bunscoile an CNCM ar fáil ar shuíomh gréasáin an CNCM, ar Spotify, ar Apple Podcasts agus ar ardáin eile a óstálann podchraoltaí. Glac páirt sa chomhrá ar na meáin shóisialta leis an haischlib #nccapod Chun tuilleadh eolais a fháil faoi fhorbairtí curaclaim sa bhunscoil, tabhair cuairt ar ncca.ie/primary Lean muid ar na meáin shóisialta:  Facebook: @nccaireland   Instagram: ncca_irl   LinkedIn: NCCAie   X: @nccaie

    59 min
  4. E16: Partnerships: How schools and families can work together (Carmel O' Shea and Elaine Foley)

    11/12/2025

    E16: Partnerships: How schools and families can work together (Carmel O' Shea and Elaine Foley)

    This episode explores how parents can work with teachers and schools in shaping their children’s learning experiences and consider how to build stronger connections between school and home. Our guests for this episode are Carmel O' Shea and Elaine Foley. Carmel is the advocacy services manager with the National Parents Council, while Elaine is principal of St Joseph’s Primary School Templemore. The NCCA Primary Podcast is available on the ⁠NCCA Website⁠, Spotify, Apple Podcasts and other podcast hosting platforms. Join the conversation on social media using the hashtag #nccapod  To find out more about primary curriculum developments visit ncca.ie/primary   Follow us on social media:  Facebook: @nccaireland   Instagram: ncca_irl   LinkedIn: NCCAie   X: @nccaie

    50 min
  5. E15: An nasc idir an scoil agus an baile.

    11/03/2025

    E15: An nasc idir an scoil agus an baile.

    Tá ról ríthábhachtach ag tuismitheoirí i bhfoghlaim a bpáiste. Sa chlár seo, labhraíonn Éilis Mhic Caisín (Tuismitheoir) agus Antóin Ó Cléirigh (Príomhoide) faoin gcaoi a spreagann an curaclam comhpháirtíocht idir tuismitheoirí agus scoileanna chun forbairt iomlánaíoch páistí a chothú. Leagann siad béim ar thábhacht an phobail, caidrimh dhearfacha agus cumarsáide oscailte chun tacú leis an teagasc, leis an bhfoghlaim agus le riachtanais aonair. Pléann siad freisin conas is féidir le tuismitheoirí an fhoghlaim a threisiú sa bhaile trí dhearcthaí dearfacha agus fiosracht a chothú.   Tá Podchraoladh Bunscoile CNCM ar fáil ar ár suíomh gréasáin, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, agus ardáin óstála podchraolta eile.  Glac páirt sa chomhrá ar na meáin shóisialta ag úsáid an haischlib #nccapod    Chun tuilleadh eolais a fháil faoi fhorbairtí curaclaim sa bhunscoil, tabhair cuairt ar ncca.ie/primary    Lean muid ar na meáin shóisialta:     Facebook: @nccaireland    Instagram: ncca_irl    LinkedIn: NCCAie    X: @nccaie

    39 min
  6. Special episode: Reflections from the International Advisory Panel on the redeveloped Primary Curriculum - Prof Louise Hayward, Prof Jim Spillane, Dr Thomas Walsh and Prof Dominic Wyse

    09/29/2025

    Special episode: Reflections from the International Advisory Panel on the redeveloped Primary Curriculum - Prof Louise Hayward, Prof Jim Spillane, Dr Thomas Walsh and Prof Dominic Wyse

    The redeveloped primary curriculum has officially launched—a milestone moment for Irish primary and special schools. But how did we get here, and what does this change mean for the future of teaching and learning? In this special episode of the NCCA Primary Podcast, we sit down with members of the Primary Advisory Panel—Professor Louise Hayward, Professor Jim Spillane, Dr Thomas Walsh, and Professor Dominic Wyse. Together, they share their unique perspectives on the curriculum redevelopment journey: building trust, balancing continuity with change, strengthening system capacity, and ensuring creativity, inclusivity, and agency for children. The NCCA Primary Podcast is available on the NCCA Website, Spotify, Apple Podcasts and other podcast hosting platforms. Join the conversation on social media using the hashtag #nccapod  To find out more about primary curriculum developments visit ncca.ie/primary   Follow us on social media:  Facebook: @nccaireland   Instagram: ncca_irl   LinkedIn: NCCAie   X: @nccaie    Gaeilge: Eipeasóid speisialta: Machnamh ón bPainéal Comhairleach Idirnáisiúnta ar an gCuraclam Bunscoile Athfhorbartha (An tOllamh Louise Hayward, an tOllamh Jim Spillane, an Dr Tomás Walsh agus an tOllamh Dominic Wyse) Tá curaclam bunscoile athfhorbartha seolta go hoifigiúil - clochmhíle thábhachtach do bhunscoileanna agus do scoileanna speisialta in Éirinn. Ach conas a shroicheamar an pointe seo, agus cad is brí leis an athrú seo do thodhchaí an teagaisc agus an fhoghlama? San eipeasóid speisialta seo de Phodchraoladh Bunscoile CNCM, suímid síos le le baill den Phainéal Comhairleach Bunscoile - an tOllamh Louise Hayward, an tOllamh Jim Spillane, an Dr Tomás Walsh agus an tOllamh Dominic Wyse. Roinneann siad a gcuid tuairimí uathúla faoin aistear athfhorbartha curaclaim: muinín a chothú, leanúnachas a chothromú le hathrú, acmhainn an chórais a neartú, agus cruthaitheacht, cuimsitheacht agus cumas gníomhúcháin na bpáistí a chinntiú.   Tá Podchraoladh Bunscoile CNCM ar fáil ar ár suíomh gréasáin, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, agus ardáin óstála podchraolta eile.  Glac páirt sa chomhrá ar na meáin shóisialta ag úsáid an haischlib #nccapod Chun tuilleadh eolais a fháil faoi fhorbairtí curaclaim sa bhunscoil, tabhair cuairt ar ncca.ie/primary Lean muid ar na meáin shóisialta:  Facebook: @nccaireland   Instagram: ncca_irl   LinkedIn: NCCAie   X: @nccaie

    25 min
  7. E13: The Redeveloped Primary Curriculum - A message from NCCA CEO, Arlene Forster

    09/23/2025

    E13: The Redeveloped Primary Curriculum - A message from NCCA CEO, Arlene Forster

    Listen to this special episode of the NCCA Primary Podcast with Arlene Forster, CEO of NCCA. In this special episode, Arlene sets the scene for understanding the redeveloped primary curriculum. She talks about the journey to this point, the values and priorities that shape the redeveloped curriculum, and how it is designed to support teachers and children – discussing why this redevelopment matters, how it reflects the Ireland of today, and how schools and children will be supported as it becomes part of everyday classroom life. To find out more about primary curriculum developments visit ncca.ie/primary    Follow us on social media:   Facebook: @nccaireland    Instagram: ncca_irl    LinkedIn: NCCAie    X: @nccaie

    23 min
  8. E14: An Curaclam Bunscoile Athfhorbartha – Teachtaireacht ó Phríomhfheidhmeannach an CNCM, Arlene Forster

    09/23/2025

    E14: An Curaclam Bunscoile Athfhorbartha – Teachtaireacht ó Phríomhfheidhmeannach an CNCM, Arlene Forster

    Éist leis an eipeasóid speisialta seo den Phodchraoladh Bunscoile le Príomhoifigeach Feidhmiúcháin CNCM Arlene Forster. San eipeasóid speisialta seo, tugann Arlene an comhthéacs chun an curaclam bunscoile athfhorbartha a thuiscint. Labhraíonn sí faoin turas go dtí an pointe seo, na luachanna agus na tosaíochtaí a mhúnlaíonn an curaclam athfhorbartha, agus faoin gcaoi a ndearnadh é a dhearadh chun tacú le múinteoirí agus le páistí – ag plé cén fáth go bhfuil an t-athfhorbairt seo tábhachtach, conas a léiríonn sé Éire an lae inniu, agus conas a thacófar le scoileanna agus le páistí agus é ag éirí mar chuid de shaol laethúil an tseomra ranga. Chun tuilleadh eolais a fháil faoi fhorbairtí curaclaim sa bhunscoil, tabhair cuairt ar ncca.ie/primary  Lean muid ar na meáin shóisialta:   Facebook: @nccaireland    Instagram: ncca_irl    LinkedIn: NCCAie    X: @nccaie

    24 min
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About

Welcome to the NCCA primary podcast, a podcast from the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment. We speak to teachers, principals, researchers and other stakeholders, providing a space where we can bring together and share different ideas and perspectives. We hope that this will spark your own conversations around curriculum and we welcome you to get in touch with the podcast by emailing us at podcast@ncca.ie or by using the hashtag #nccapodcast to continue the conversation on social media.

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