Darrágh Conway

Business Studies & Science Teacher 👨‍🏫 || Primary School Governor || Education Enthusiast || Views are my own

[Dr William H Kitchen @DrWHKitchen]

Still waiting on @NickDMathison and @GAHargan to respond to my offer to give the full story behind my CCEA remarks.
Maybe neither was actually interested in the full story, but instead just the part of it where they could use it as ammunition against the Minister?

[Darrágh Conway @Darragh_Conway1]

I find that rather patronising. I have enormous respect for experienced colleagues, but respect works both ways. Experience doesn’t automatically make someone right, nor does being younger make someone wrong! However, we’re going round in circles, so perhaps we’ll agree to disagree. I simply believe the funding required for Danny Baker’s proposal could be better directed towards more pressing educational priorities, such as repairing leaking school roofs, improving facilities and providing resources for teaching and learning.

[Darrágh Conway @Darragh_Conway1]

I find some of Danny Baker’s approaches to education bizarre. He criticises progressive, evidence-informed curriculum reform and, in recent weeks, has dismissed mobile phone pouches as a “pet project”.

Meanwhile, he champions proposals to feed 90,000 children. I am absolutely in favour of supporting children and young people in our society, but surely the primary responsibility of teachers is to educate?

Tackling food poverty is essential, but should this not be the responsibility of the wider welfare system rather than an already overstretched education budget?

In my opinion, his priorities are entirely misplaced. Education funding should prioritise teaching, learning and raising standards.

Mind-blowing.

Check out Danny Baker MLA's video! #TikTok https://t.co/VTuQ1YQXGA

[Darrágh Conway @Darragh_Conway1]

In my opinion, that comparison misses the point entirely.

Uniform grants help pupils attend school appropriately dressed, school transport enables them to get there, and free school meals provide support during the school day. I fully support all three, as they directly facilitate school attendance and participation in education. Their provision through the education budget is therefore entirely appropriate.

My argument concerns what happens beyond the school gates. When children are not in school, surely the primary responsibility for supporting families experiencing socioeconomic disadvantage should rest with the wider welfare system?

Nobody is disputing that poverty affects educational attainment. However, recognising an issue as educationally relevant does not automatically make it the financial responsibility of the education budget.

That is the distinction I’ve been making throughout.

[Darrágh Conway @Darragh_Conway1]

SEN provision, safeguarding and pastoral support are core educational responsibilities, whereas tackling food poverty is a wider social welfare issue. That’s the fundamental difference! Surely you can appreciate that distinction? Just because something impacts learning doesn’t automatically mean the education budget should fund it.

[Darrágh Conway @Darragh_Conway1]

Andy, your 20+ years in education are commendable, but experience and being correct aren’t necessarily synonymous!

I’ve never disputed that food poverty impacts learning. My original tweet explicitly supports tackling it.

You’re overlooking my central argument: recognising barriers to learning and deciding who should fund their removal are different matters.

I agree that addressing barriers raises standards, but should an overstretched education budget fund every societal issue? Housing, heating and income also affect learning. Where do we draw the line?

We have a welfare system to support disadvantaged families. Surely food poverty deserves dedicated social funding rather than further pressure on education?

Supporting children and protecting education funding aren’t mutually exclusive, Andy!

[Darrágh Conway @Darragh_Conway1]

Nowhere did I suggest that food poverty wasn’t an issue. My argument concerns educational funding, not whether food poverty exists. Two very different things! Glad you corrected your grammatical error from “were” to “where”, Andy. Quite concerning, given your extensive experience in education!

[Darrágh Conway @Darragh_Conway1]

@Andy_gdon Andy, I would be interested to hear about your experience in education - please feel free to share! I suppose being older must automatically make you correct? I’m more than happy to debate the substance of my argument rather than my appearance!

[Darrágh Conway @Darragh_Conway1]

A busy classroom isn’t necessarily a successful classroom. But are we sometimes mistaking engagement for genuine learning?

Delighted to have another article published, drawing on Rosenshine’s Principles of Instruction and my own evolving understanding of effective teaching.

[Belfast News Letter @News_Letter]

Beyond the Busy Classroom: Are We Mistaking Engagement for Effective Learning? https://t.co/g5UETrMsDN

[Darrágh Conway @Darragh_Conway1]

Always great to be back at @stranbelfast, speaking and sharing my experiences and knowledge! 📚

Very grateful for the opportunity to give something back to an institution that has given me so much throughout my undergraduate studies.

A real privilege to return! 😎

[Darrágh Conway @Darragh_Conway1]

An article I wrote about TransformED - an area of education I’ve been fascinated by since its beginning.

Evidence over ideology, always.

Many of the ideas that shaped my thinking in this area were inspired by a lecturer at Stranmillis University College; they’ve continued to influence how I think about curriculum, teaching & learning, and more!

Change is coming; and, to me, it’s long overdue.

https://t.co/eghtNapvIJ

[Darrágh Conway @Darragh_Conway1]

A fantastic initiative! 👏

[Education NI @Education_NI]

Education Minister @paulgivan today opened a call for schools to apply for funding to host research-informed conferences as part of the Making Best Practice, Common Practice Programme.

Schools and school clusters across Northern Ireland are invited to apply for grants of up to £5,000 to organise conferences that promote evidence-based teaching and learning.

For more information, visit https://t.co/aKj8cUlQYh

[Dr Ciara Fitzpatrick @C_Fitz_]

Education deprivation in NI is 27% - second Yorkshire and Humber at 19% - we should be absolutely appalled to read this.

[Education NI @Education_NI]

Education Minister @paulgivan has welcomed a decision by the Northern Ireland Teachers' Council (NITC) to accept a 5.5% pay offer for teachers.
The pay settlement was agreed by the Teachers�� Negotiating Committee (TNC) and will bring to an end the ongoing industrial action.

Read more: https://t.co/oPcd1kgliL

[Darrágh Conway @Darragh_Conway1]

@JamesAFurey Absolutely! I am doing my BEd dissertation on Rosenshine's Principles of Instruction.

It is a truly captivating and fascinating topic area—I just love metacognition and cognitive theory!

[Darrágh Conway @Darragh_Conway1]

A fantastic quote!

A quote that beautifully encapsulates education in such a positive manner.

Make no mistake about it—education is worth far more than just a ‘mandatory requirement’ or an ‘obligation’ for our children and young people!

Education is such a powerful tool; it provides our children with the opportunity to ignite and develop qualities such as knowledge, curiosity, creativity, critical thinking, perception, passion, and so much more!