New School Programme: AIB Future Sparks

AIB would like to invite post-primary teachers to register for an exciting new interdisciplinary programme for schools. It encourages the development of key life skills that accompany and support young people’s significant life moments and transitions. This programme is free, and is launching September 2021.

AIB has been listening to students and teachers since we first got involved with schools in 2002. In recent years we have seen the move towards skills-based learning, especially with the introduction of the Framework for Junior Cycle in 2015, and emphasis on ‘life skills’ in the ongoing Senior Cycle Framework. Fundamentally, we believe that learning life skills today will future-proof lives, careers and our economy for tomorrow. Post pandemic, we believe that this type of education environment, where students develop key transferable life skills through their engagement with the curriculum will be more important than ever and we want to do our part.

For this reason, we are establishing the AIB Future Sparks schools programme, which has been developed by teachers for teachers. This programme is designed to join the dots for young people and their teachers as they navigate the transitions and key life moments within the stages of formal education. The aim is that it fits in seamlessly with the curriculum, maps onto current key skills frameworks, and provides valuable educational resources.

We hope this programme will also serve as a platform for schools to share your learning as communities of best practice. We want to ensure that the good work done by teachers is seen and recognised, and we want you to share your input and expertise. For our part, we are bringing industry along to share their stories and learning tools to further strengthen skills-based learning for young people in Ireland. Let us build this community together.

Key features of the programme will include:

• An easy-to-navigate online repository of free targeted subject specific education resources across Guidance Counselling, Transition Year, Business, SPHE & CSPE.
• A TY Work Experience Programme that collates best practice from TY schools across the country.
• The unveiling of our online series ‘Future Sparks TV’, a teen-centric approach to real life stories sparking off conversations and further learning.
• We will also be providing the first 100 schools that sign up with printed ‘Freshers’ Packs’ for their first years that will help with their transition into Post Primary school. This material is written by Guidance Counsellors and psychologists and, just as in ‘College Freshers’ Packs’, there will be some treats in there too!
• We are also delighted to join forces with Careers Portal, to draw on their expertise, tools and insights for our registered Future Sparks Schools (stay tuned for more exciting announcements!)

Schools, teachers and students who join us in our schools programme will be rewarded for their efforts. Each Future Sparks School will be recognised as a leader in the life skills movement, and in line with AIB’s Sustainability agenda and our pledge to be carbon neutral by 2030, will receive a donation of a tree to be planted on the school grounds along with your Future Sparks plaque and certificates for participating students.

All you have to do is set out your plan to grow skills-based learning for students in your school, make use of our supporting Future Sparks resources as part of your teaching, and submit a brief case study on your achievements at the end of the year.

 To register, simply email the following info to [email protected]

• Teacher Name:
• Your Subject area[s]:
• Email Address:
• School Name:
• School Roll Number:
• number of 1st years (new intake in September 2021)*:

*The first 100 schools to sign up get free printed Freshers' Packs for their 1st year students! 

For more information, don’t hesitate to contact us on 01 522 4880 or at [email protected].