Heritage in Schools programme extending to second level

Primary school workshop. (Image: Heritage Council.)

The Heritage Council has announced the expansion of its successful Heritage in Schools (HIS) programme to include post-primary schools, including in Kildare, writes Brian Byrne. Building on over two decades of success at the primary level, the new Heritage in Schools Post-Primary (HIS-PP) initiative will connect students with heritage specialists through engaging, curriculum-linked workshops.

The programme is designed to support teachers by providing practical resources for subjects across the Junior Cycle, Senior Cycle, and Transition Year, including history, geography, science, Gaeilge, and the arts. By offering real-world experiences, the initiative aims to deepen students' appreciation for Ireland’s natural, built, and cultural heritage.

To facilitate this, there's also a national recruitment campaign seeking up to 100 heritage practitioners. Experts in fields such as archaeology, biodiversity, geology, and traditional crafts are encouraged to apply by the 6 July deadline. An information webinar for prospective applicants will be held on 5 June.

Virginia Teehan, Chief Executive of the Heritage Council, said the expansion "will give students the opportunity to engage more directly with heritage through real-world experiences and deepen their understanding of what they study".

Heritage specialists are expected to begin delivering workshops in Kildare schools starting in 2027. Schools will be able to book full-day, half-day, or shorter visits directly through an online system.

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