Staff Relations • Primary School Governance • Teacher Wellbeing
Working Together 2024: Primary School Staff Relations, Teacher Wellbeing & Summer CPD
Adopted for primary schools across Ireland, Working Together 2024 – Ag Obair le Chéile marks the first comprehensive revision of primary staff relations and dispute-resolution procedures since 2000. Agreed jointly by the Irish National Teachers’ Organisation (INTO) and all primary management bodies, the framework modernises workplace dispute resolution, dignity at work, and staff communication.
Crucially, the 2024 agreement moves beyond conflict handling to place a primary duty on Boards of Management and school leadership to cultivate positive, collaborative, and communicative school environments. For primary teachers, engaging in Department of Education approved Summer CPD courses to earn EPV Days is a proven pathway to upskilling in teacher wellbeing, conflict management, and collaborative practice.
Key Principles of Working Together 2024
- Emphasis on Prevention: Establishes clear best-practice standards for daily communication and collegial professional dialogue to resolve misunderstandings early.
- Updated Informal & Formal Stages: Provides structured, transparent steps for addressing interpersonal friction, workplace grievances, and allegations of bullying or harassment.
- Statutory & Legislative Alignment: Fully aligns school workplace practice with contemporary employment legislation, health and safety regulations, and the Teaching Council’s Code of Professional Conduct.
- Support for School Climate: Directs school leaders and boards to nurture a whole-school culture of dignity, professional respect, and teacher wellbeing.
Nurture Staff Wellbeing & Earn Your EPV Days
Cultivating positive communication, emotional resilience, and a supportive classroom climate starts with quality professional development. Our online Summer CPD courses are fully approved for EPV days, self-paced, and designed specifically for primary teachers in Ireland.
Connecting Staff Relations to Summer CPD and EPV Days
A thriving school community requires continuous reflection and personal development. When teachers complete our approved summer programmes, they benefit on multiple levels:
1. Teacher Wellbeing and Resilience
Approved CPD modules targeting teacher wellness, restorative communication, and stress reduction provide practical techniques to sustain healthy workplace relationships all year long.
2. Guaranteed EPV Day Sanctioning
Under the Governance Manual and Department circulars, completing each 20-hour approved summer course qualifies primary teachers for up to 3 EPV days (or up to 5 days for 3 courses), subject to the standard Board of Management approval procedures.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who agreed the Working Together 2024 procedures?
The revised document was negotiated between the Irish National Teachers’ Organisation (INTO) and the recognised voluntary primary management bodies, including the CPSMA, Educate Together, the Church of Ireland Board of Education, An Foras Pátrúnachta, NABMSE, and the Muslim Primary Education Board.
Does this document replace the 2000 agreement?
Yes. Working Together 2024 – Ag Obair le Chéile officially replaces the previous procedures established in 2000 to reflect modern employment rights, health and safety obligations, and updated governance frameworks.
How does summer CPD support school culture and leadership?
Summer CPD courses focusing on leadership, collaborative practice, and wellbeing equip teachers and post-holders with the skills needed to implement the positive collegial environment mandated by the agreement.