Heritage Council initiative to be expanded to Waterford post-primary schools

The Heritage Council has announced the expansion of its successful Heritage in Schools (HIS) programme to post-primary level, alongside the launch of a national recruitment campaign inviting heritage specialists to apply to join the initiative.

Building on the success of HIS in primary schools, which has delivered over 3,000 visits to more than 1,000 schools and engaged approximately 172,000 pupils since it commenced in 2000, the new Heritage in Schools Post-Primary (HIS-PP) programme will connect heritage specialists with students through engaging, curriculum-linked workshops.

Funded, coordinated and monitored by the Heritage Council, the programme is designed to deliver high-quality experiences that connect local and national heritage with classroom learning. 

A spokesperson for the Heritage Council said it will support student awareness and appreciation of natural, built and cultural heritage while strengthening subject learning across Junior Cycle, Senior Cycle and Transition Year including history, geography, Gaeilge, English, art, science, CSPE, enterprise and music. 

The programme is designed as a support for teachers, positioning itself as a practical resource to help deliver the curriculum.

Applications are now open, with the Heritage Council aiming to procure the services of up to 100 individual heritage specialists nationwide. 

The call is open to individuals across disciplines including archaeology, history, Gaeilge, folklore, ecology, biodiversity, geology, Irish traditional music, traditional crafts, building skills and conservation.

The selection process is based on heritage expertise, youth engagement, communication skills, interview performance and additional value in areas such as Irish language, built heritage and inclusive heritage.

An online webinar will be held on June 5, for prospective applicants who want further information before completing an application.

Once recruited, specialists will deliver flexible workshops either in schools, on school grounds or in local heritage settings. 

It is anticipated that, from 2027, post-primary schools will be able to choose from full-day, half-day or shorter visits, and book a specialist by browsing the HIS directory, agreeing content and dates directly, and completing a formal booking through the online system.

Virginia Teehan, Chief Executive of the Heritage Council, said: “We are very pleased to expand the Heritage in schools programme to post-primary level, building on its incredible track record in primary schools across the country over the past quarter of a century."

"This expansion reflects the growing demand for high-quality, curriculum-linked heritage learning and will give students the opportunity to engage more directly with heritage through real-world experiences and deepen their understanding of what they study," said Ms Teehan.

"Ireland’s heritage will be protected and shaped by the next generation, and we hope this inspires young people to develop a lasting interest and real connection to it," she added.

Lisa Shortall, Head of Research, Learning and Cultural Heritage at the Heritage Council, added: “This marks an important step in extending access to hands-on heritage learning. We hope that the programme will complement and enrich classroom teaching. We are looking forward to seeing a diverse range of applicants come forward and contribute to shaping an impactful programme for schools nationwide."

The deadline for applications is Monday, July 6.  

Applications can be made here