DCU

 We believe that support and intervention should begin as early in the education cycle as possible. In the Access Service we aim to help make this possible by providing support and encouragement through a number of interactive, child-friendly activities both on and off campus. Our goal is to raise the awareness of educational options at an early age and prepare children to make smart choices at secondary school.

For further information please contact Orla Conlan at orla.conlan@dcu.ie

The Access Service Schools Programme works with 32 primary schools in the North Dublin area. These schools are located in three Local Area Partnership areas: Ballymun, Finglas Cabra and Northside.

The aim of the Primary School Programme is to help pupils who have the potential to progress to further education but may face various economic, educational and social barriers in achieving their goals.Our goal is to support schools in tackling educational disadvantage and in promoting positive attitudes to education in the community.

1. Campus Tours
2. After School Classes
3. Mission V
4. Suas Sport Ed Mentoring Programme
5. Junior Achievement Programme

Campus Tours

This activity is offered to sixth-class pupils from our link primary schools. We offer each of our link schools the opportunity to bring students onto the campus for a tour and talk by a staff member and an Access student. Visiting schools will also have the opportunity to see inside the Clarity (Centre for Sensor Web Technology) Demo room here in DCU. Linked schools attending school plays in The Helix are encouraged to combine their visit with a campus tour.

"The trip was of great benefit to the children in my school. Some boys have aspirations to study in DCU having visited the University. It is not an alien place to them anymore"

Ms. Mc Govern, Teacher, St. Finbar’s B.N.S.

After School Classes

Our highly successful primary schools programme run in collaboration with CAA the Centre for Academic Achievement will continue this year. Starting in November 2011, we will be offering after school classes in a choice of three subjects to sixth-class students in Term 1, fifth-class students in term 2 and fourth-class students in the final term. A maximum of two places are on offer to each of our link schools and a graduation ceremony will be held here in DCU on the final day of each term.

For more information please contact orla.conlan@dcu.ie or see www.dcu.ie/ctyi

"Mission V" Mad About Technology Scheme

Run by the Centre for Talented Youth in Ireland (CTYI) and with the support of the Access Service, 18 fifth-class students from our link primary schools will be invited to take part in this exciting new initiative which will start mid-September and run for 12 weeks. Each student will have access to a 16 acre virtual island and can connect, create and collaborate in an immersive 3D learning environment. The project is expected to have positive effects on social inclusion particularly for those children from disadvantaged areas interested in computing and gaming as it will provide these children with an opportunity to develop their talents.

Suas Sport Ed Mentoring Programme

The Suas Sport Ed Mentoring Programme is a collaborative project between the Aisling Project in Ballymun and DCU Access Service. Groups of pupils between fourth and sixth class are brought to DCU each Monday and Tuesday afternoon for eight weeks during term time to meet with third-level students who volunteer as mentors. While they are on campus they take part in sporting activities, complete their homework and have a snack in the student canteen. At the end of the year the pupils and their parents are invited back to campus for the “Sport Ed Graduation”.

For more information, please contact orla.conlan@dcu.ie or see www.suas.ie

Junior Achievement Ireland Primary Schools Programme

Junior Achievement Ireland encourages young people to remain in education and teaches them the skills they need to succeed in a changing world. Established in Ireland in 1995, Junior Achievement is helping to create a culture of enterprise within the education system. As we move towards a knowledge-based economy, Junior Achievement is bringing science and maths skills to thousands of young students nationwide through our programmes and events.

Bord Gáis Science Forward, created by Junior Achievement in association with Science Ireland, is an innovative and exciting roadshow introducing students aged 10-12 years to the power of energy and its vast applications in our everyday life.

Taking place over two days in third-level colleges in Cork, Limerick, Galway and Dublin, the interactive energy workshops led by Bord Gáis staff incorporate a tour of the college, introducing students to potential study and career paths in this exciting and innovative industry. 150 students will visit the DCU campus in October 2011 as part of Bord Gáis Science Forward 2011.

For more information see www.juniorachievement.ie

Pre-Entry Project Officer

For further information on our Primary School Programmes, contact:

Orla Conlan,
Access Office
Dublin City University
Dublin 9
Tel: 00353 1 7008869 / Fax: 00353 1 7008604
E-mail: orla.conlan@dcu.ie