Agree to Agree Pilot Project Supported by the Department of Education through Oide Technology in Education
The Agree to Agree Pilot Project is an innovative, tailored process that guides schools, pupils and families to co- create student-family-school specific agreements in relation to online behaviour, for use outside of school hours. Through the Agree to Agree Pilot Project, key stakeholders representing, parents, staff and Board of Management are guided through a series of face-to-face workshops equipping them with the skills and tools to formulate an agreement that is unique to their individual school circumstances. Using the School Self Evaluation Process and promoting “Keeping Childhood Smartphone Free” Guidelines, the Agree to Agree Pilot Project is a collaborative and data-informed approach to addressing children’s internet enabled device usage. Through systematic evaluation, stakeholder engagement, and action planning, we seek to establish a new norm that prioritises children’s well-being and fosters responsible digital citizenship. The collaborative approach ensures every voice is heard and fosters agreement and understanding among stakeholders. Pupil engagement is at the forefront. By listening to their concerns and their advice on how we can best support them in their online lives, pupils are eager to implement positive change.
““If grown ups could block all the bad things online, that would help”
“.....look at what we are doing online to make sure its all for our age””
The Agree to Agree Pilot Project bridges the gap between school and home. The agreement process strives to ensure that when pupils are online, whether inside or outside the school gate, that school communities make every effort to ensure they are supported, protected and ultimately afforded the opportunity to learn and grow with digital technologies in a safe and supervised environment.
In September 2024, 10 Clare primary school communities who participated in the Agree to Agree Project during the academic year 2023-2024, launched their own unique agreements, informed by extensive collaboration with the wider school community and centred on issues most relevant to their school communities.
““this should be a project rolled out to all schools”
“extremely worthwhile project and very comprehensively delivered thanks to all”
“I think the whole process was executed extremely well”
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In October 2024, the Agree to Agree Pilot Project, supported by the Department of Education through Oide Technology in Education was launched in Clare Education Centre, Tralee Education Support Centre and Navan Education Support Centre, with great success. 21 school communities are involved in the process this year, with the potential of improving the digital wellbeing of over 4000 pupils and over 500 teaching staff combined. School communities involved range from small two teacher rural schools, to large schools with over 600 students. The schools participating in the Agree to Agree Pilot Project are reflective of the diverse nature of our school communities. The schools involved have pupils from a wide range of cultural backgrounds including Ukrainian pupils and those from the Roma and Travelling Communities. We also have a special school involved in the Agree to Agree Pilot Project this year.
Online Webinar for Parents/Guardians -Agree to Agree Pilot Project
On Monday 13th January 2025, an online webinar was held for the parents/guardians of those school communities participating in the Agree to Agree Pilot Project. The purpose of the night was to provide an update on the Agree to Agree Pilot Project to the wider parent body and engage their participation with the process in their school community. The webinar was a great success, with 465 parents/guardians joining in on the night. Over 96% of respondents indicated that the webinar was excellent/very good.
For more information on the Agree to Agree Pilot Project please contact:
Mr. Martin Moloney, Director Clare Education Centre
Tel: 065 6845500
Email: reception@clareed.ie
Web: https://www.clareed.ie/
Dr. Maureen Griffin, Director MGMS Training Limited
Tel: +353 87 2046598
Email: maureen@mgmstraining.ie
Web: https://www.mgmstraining.ie
