PRIMARY NQT INDUCTION

UPDATE SEPT 2022

Cluster Meetings:

Cluster Meetings administration continues via the NIPT Office in Donegal Education Support Centre. Cluster Meetings will be available via Zoom as per the Droichead Cluster Meeting Calendarhere. This should be read in tandem with ‘Cluster Meetings: Important Information and Attendance Protocols’here which includes a link to register. NQTs must apply for Droichead viawww.teachingcouncil.ie and receive a confirmation email from the Teaching Council before registering for Cluster Meeting 1. Registration for Droichead Cluster Meeting 1 will open week commencing September 19th with dates/times for further cluster meetings released on a weekly basis. 

NQTs must keep their own record of the workshops they have completed.

Please see Page 15 in Information booklet below for a NQT Workshop Attendance Record.

NB: All NQTs must have a Teaching Council number before they can register for the Induction Workshop Programme. The Induction Workshop Programme is not open to NQTs who are registered with a Further Education Teaching Council Number or whose registration is pending.

Important Information for NQTs regarding their registration requirements for the Teaching Council:

● Schools outside of the above categories are also offering Droichead. NQTs are asked to check with their schools as only one process can be offered at school level (i.e. Droichead or PQE [PP] / Probation [P]. 
● Engagement in the NIPT Induction Workshop Programme is a requirement for NQTs who are completing Probation (Primary) or PQE (Post-Primary).
● Attendance at workshops is not a requirement for NQTs engaging in the Droichead process.
● NQTs participating in Droichead may count a workshop as an Additional Professional Learning Activity, to address a professional learning need identified by them, in consultation with their PST.

For information please visit National Induction Programme for Teachers www.teacherinduction.ie
(Dates maybe subject to change)

TO BOOK A WORKSHOP

In order to secure a place on a workshop it is necessary to register an account on the website first. You only need to register once. Please use your own email NOT the schools email address. After you have registered you will receive an activation email (please check spam) which you will need to click on to activate your account.

To book a place on a workshop please LOG IN using your email address/password and then click on 'book'  button next to the workshop you wish to book. 

POST PRIMARY NQT INDUCTION

UPDATE SEPT 2022

Cluster Meetings:

Cluster Meetings administration continues via the NIPT Office in Donegal Education Support Centre. Cluster Meetings will be available via Zoom as per the Droichead Cluster Meeting Calendarhere. This should be read in tandem with ‘Cluster Meetings: Important Information and Attendance Protocols’here which includes a link to register. NQTs must apply for Droichead viawww.teachingcouncil.ie and receive a confirmation email from the Teaching Council before registering for Cluster Meeting 1. Registration for Droichead Cluster Meeting 1 will open week commencing September 19th with dates/times for further cluster meetings released on a weekly basis. 

NQTs must keep their own record of the workshops they have completed.

Please see Page 15 in Information booklet below for a NQT Workshop Attendance Record.

NB: All NQTs must have a Teaching Council number before they can register for the Induction Workshop Programme. The Induction Workshop Programme is not open to NQTs who are registered with a Further Education Teaching Council Number or whose registration is pending.

Important Information for NQTs regarding their registration requirements for the Teaching Council:

● Schools outside of the above categories are also offering Droichead. NQTs are asked to check with their schools as only one process can be offered at school level (i.e. Droichead or PQE [PP] / Probation [P]. 
● Engagement in the NIPT Induction Workshop Programme is a requirement for NQTs who are completing Probation (Primary) or PQE (Post-Primary).
● Attendance at workshops is not a requirement for NQTs engaging in the Droichead process.
● NQTs participating in Droichead may count a workshop as an Additional Professional Learning Activity, to address a professional learning need identified by them, in consultation with their PST.

For information please visit National Induction Programme for Teachers www.teacherinduction.ie
(Dates maybe subject to change)

TO BOOK A WORKSHOP

In order to secure a place on a workshop it is necessary to register an account on the website first. You only need to register once. Please use your own email NOT the schools email address. After you have registered you will receive an activation email (please check spam) which you will need to click on to activate your account.

To book a place on a workshop please LOG IN using your email address/password and then click on 'book'  button next to the workshop you wish to book. 

PRIMARY NQT DROICHEAD

UPDATE SEPT 2022

Cluster Meetings:

Cluster Meetings administration continues via the NIPT Office in Donegal Education Support Centre. Cluster Meetings will be available via Zoom as per the Droichead Cluster Meeting Calendarhere. This should be read in tandem with ‘Cluster Meetings: Important Information and Attendance Protocols’here which includes a link to register. NQTs must apply for Droichead viawww.teachingcouncil.ie and receive a confirmation email from the Teaching Council before registering for Cluster Meeting 1. Registration for Droichead Cluster Meeting 1 will open week commencing September 19th with dates/times for further cluster meetings released on a weekly basis. 

It is important to note that Droichead is the only route of induction for all primary and post-primary teachers registered from 1 June 2020. 

Teachers requiring information on the Droichead process should click here. 

Teachers requiring information on Induction Workshops should click here. 

Teachers requiring information on School Support should click here. 

Teachers requiring NIPT team contact details should click here.

For queries relating to the traditional process, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

NIPT Office, Dublin West Education Centre, Old Blessington Road, Tallaght. Dublin 24. Tel: 01-4528020, e: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. www.teacherinduction.ie

The Teaching Council has informed NIPT that, following its meeting on 8th June 2020, Council has published updated Droichead Interim Measures for NQTs and PSTs engaging in the Droichead process during the 2019/2020 school year. These are available on the Council’s website here and are also below for your convenience. 

Droichead Covid-19 Guidelines for NQTs 2019/2020 (Updated June 2020)

Droichead Covid-19 Guidelines for Professional Support Team members (PSTs) 2019/2020 (Updated June 2020)

The Council has decided that any NQT who has completed Strand A, the in-school elements of Droichead in the school year 2019/2020, within the minimum period of time, and who may have one or more elements of Strand B outstanding, may submit a completed Form D once the PST co-signs the form in the usual way. On receipt of a completed form, the NQTs registration will be updated and the condition removed.

For the avoidance of doubt, this means that any:

• Time spent engaging in Droichead after 12th March can be included in the verification of the Droichead process.
• Quality remote teaching and learning including online observations and professional conversations can also be included.

NQTs who have not completed strand A within the minimum period of time by the end of the school year can still bank their time and any activities completed, towards Droichead in the next school year (2020/2021) on an exceptional basis only, due to the Covid-19 restrictions.

To expedite processing the Teaching Council is accepting Form Ds by email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Please note, electronic signatures are not accepted on forms received by email. Form Ds which have been submitted by NQTs are queued for processing in rotation. 

As you are aware, NIPT has set up a dedicated email account (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) which PST members are welcome to use in case their query is not addressed in the attached documents. NQTs are advised to contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if their queries are not addressed in their attached document, ensuring to include their registration number on all correspondence.

Notice for Primary NQTs undertaking Droichead as a route to Induction:

From September 2017, Droichead is the sole route of Induction for NQTs in SEN settings.

From September 2018, Droichead is the sole route of Induction in large primary schools of 16 (or more) classroom teachers.

NQTs who are engaging in the Droichead process must attend one 2-hour cluster meeting per term for the duration of their Droichead process.

Cluster meetings may be attended only by NQTs who have applied for Droichead to The Teaching Council via ‘My Registration’ portal on its website (www.teachingcouncil.ie) and received a confirmation email.

The National Cluster Meeting Schedule will accompany the confirmation email and NQTs must register with the Education Centre to attend a cluster meeting.

All NQTs engaging in the Droichead process must attend Cluster Meeting 1 before attending Cluster 2 and/or 3.

At cluster meetings, NQTs will present Form D to be stamped by the facilitator as proof of attendance. Form D is available at www.teachingcouncil.ie. Please have this form with you on the night.

In addition to cluster meetings, NQTs who are engaging in the Droichead process should also engage in one other professional learning activity. This may include attendance at an NIPT workshop which NQTs must register with the EC to attend.

The Teaching Council now allows that NQTs who have fulfilled the 20-hour Induction Workshop Programme requirement prior to applying for Droichead are required to attend Cluster Meeting 1, only.

 Please find below the timelines for the incremental growth of Droichead in primary schools. If they wish, schools in any category may opt in to Droichead, prior to the dates set out below.

Further information, including the Droichead policy, is available on www.teachingcouncil.ie

Primary Schools

2017/2018
Droichead the route of induction for NQTs in SEN settings or in large primary schools where there is a principal and 24 or more mainstream (classroom) teachers

2018/2019
Droichead the route of induction for NQTs in SEN settings and in large primary schools with 16 or more classroom teachers

2019/2020
Droichead the route of induction for NQTs in SEN settings and in all primary schools with administrative principals

2020/2021
Droichead the route of induction for all primary NQTs

Further information, including the Droichead policy, is available on www.teachingcouncil.ie

Important Information for NQTs regarding their registration requirements for the Teaching Council:

● If an NQT is teaching in a school with 16 or more classroom teachers (Primary), or 400 or more students (Post-Primary) or in an SEN Setting, the only route of Induction is via the Droichead process.
● Schools outside of the above categories are also offering Droichead. NQTs are asked to check with their schools as only one process can be offered at school level (i.e. Droichead or PQE [PP] / Probation [P].
● Engagement in the NIPT Induction Workshop Programme is a requirement for NQTs who are completing Probation (Primary) or PQE (Post-Primary).
● Attendance at workshops is not a requirement for NQTs engaging in the Droichead process.
● NQTs participating in Droichead may count a workshop as an Additional Professional Learning Activity, to address a professional learning need identified by them, in consultation with their PST.

Cluster Meeting Information

Cluster 1 Meeting, which is a compulsory for  Primary NQTS who are undertaking Droichead as a route to induction, and have not already completed Cluster 1.
Cluster 2 Meeting is for Primary NQTs undertaking Droichead as route to induction and have completed Cluster 1.
Cluster 3 Meeting is for Primary NQTs undertaking Droichead as route to induction and have completed at least Cluster 1 (and Cluster 2, depending on the duration of the NQTs’ Droichead process),

TO BOOK A PLACE FOR A CLUSTER MEETING  PLEASE CONTACT WCEC ON 023 8856756/7 OR BY EMAIL This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

POST PRIMARY NQT DROICHEAD

UPDATE SEPT 2022

Cluster Meetings:

Cluster Meetings administration continues via the NIPT Office in Donegal Education Support Centre. Cluster Meetings will be available via Zoom as per the Droichead Cluster Meeting Calendarhere. This should be read in tandem with ‘Cluster Meetings: Important Information and Attendance Protocols’here which includes a link to register. NQTs must apply for Droichead viawww.teachingcouncil.ie and receive a confirmation email from the Teaching Council before registering for Cluster Meeting 1. Registration for Droichead Cluster Meeting 1 will open week commencing September 19th with dates/times for further cluster meetings released on a weekly basis. 

It is important to note that Droichead is the only route of induction for all primary and post-primary teachers registered from 1 June 2020. 

Teachers requiring information on the Droichead process should click here. 

Teachers requiring information on Induction Workshops should click here. 

Teachers requiring information on School Support should click here. 

Teachers requiring NIPT team contact details should click here.

For queries relating to the traditional process, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

NIPT Office, Dublin West Education Centre, Old Blessington Road, Tallaght. Dublin 24. Tel: 01-4528020, e: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. www.teacherinduction.ie

The Teaching Council has informed NIPT that, following its meeting on 8th June 2020, Council has published updated Droichead Interim Measures for NQTs and PSTs engaging in the Droichead process during the 2019/2020 school year. These are available on the Council’s website here and are also below for your convenience. 

Droichead Covid-19 Guidelines for NQTs 2019/2020 (Updated June 2020)

Droichead Covid-19 Guidelines for Professional Support Team members (PSTs) 2019/2020 (Updated June 2020)

The Council has decided that any NQT who has completed Strand A, the in-school elements of Droichead in the school year 2019/2020, within the minimum period of time, and who may have one or more elements of Strand B outstanding, may submit a completed Form D once the PST co-signs the form in the usual way. On receipt of a completed form, the NQTs registration will be updated and the condition removed.

For the avoidance of doubt, this means that any:

• Time spent engaging in Droicheadafter 12th March can be included in the verification of the Droichead
• Quality remote teaching and learning including online observations and professional conversations can also be included.

NQTs who have not completed strand A within the minimum period of time by the end of the school year can still bank their time and any activities completed, towards Droichead in the next school year (2020/2021) on an exceptional basis only, due to the Covid-19 restrictions.

To expedite processing the Teaching Council is accepting Form Ds by email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Please note, electronic signatures are not accepted on forms received by email. Form Ds which have been submitted by NQTs are queued for processing in rotation. 

As you are aware, NIPT has set up a dedicated email account (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) which PST members are welcome to use in case their query is not addressed in the attached documents. NQTs are advised to contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if their queries are not addressed in their attached document, ensuring to include their registration number on all correspondence.

Notice for Primary NQTs undertaking Droichead as a route to Induction:

Droichead is the sole route of Induction for NQTs with a contract of 200 or more hours in large Post-Primary schools with 400 or more students or in SEN settings.

NQTs who are engaging in the Droichead process must attend one 2-hour cluster meeting per term for the duration of their Droichead process.

Cluster Meetings may only be attended by NQTs who have applied for Droichead to the Teaching Council via the ‘My Registration’ portal on its website www.teachingcouncil.ie and received a confirmation email. The National Cluster Meeting Schedule will accompany the confirmation email and NQTs must register with the Education Centre to attend a cluster meeting.

All NQTs engaging in the Droichead process must attend Cluster Meeting 1 before attending Cluster Meeting 2 and/or 3.

At cluster meetings, NQTs will present Form D to be stamped by the facilitator as proof of attendance. Form D is available at www.teachingcouncil.ie. Please have this form with you on the night.

In addition to this, NQTs who are engaging in the Droichead process should also engage in one other professional learning activity. This may include attendance at an NIPT workshop which NQTs must register with the EC to attend.

Please note that the Teaching Council now allows that NQTs who have fulfilled the 20-hour Induction Workshop Programme requirement prior to applying for Droichead are required to attend Cluster Meeting 1, only.

Please find below the timelines for the incremental growth of Droichead in Post-Primary schools. Schools in any category may opt in to Droichead in any of these years, if they so wish, prior to the dates set out below:

Post-Primary Schools

2017/2018
Droichead the route of induction for NQTs in SEN settings or in large post-primary schools of 700 or more students

2018/2019
Droichead the route of induction for NQTs in SEN settings and in large post-primary schools with 400 or more students

2019/2020
Droichead the route of induction for NQTs in SEN settings and in post-primary schools with 200 or more students

2020/2021
Droichead the route of induction for all post-primary NQTs

Further information, including the Droichead policy is available on www.teachingcouncil.ie

Important Information for NQTs regarding their registration requirements for the Teaching Council:

● If an NQT is teaching in a school with 16 or more classroom teachers (Primary), or 400 or more students (Post-Primary) or in an SEN Setting, the only route of Induction is via the Droichead process.
● Schools outside of the above categories are also offering Droichead. NQTs are asked to check with their schools as only one process can be offered at school level (i.e. Droichead or PQE [PP] / Probation [P]. 
● Engagement in the NIPT Induction Workshop Programme is a requirement for NQTs who are completing Probation (Primary) or PQE (Post-Primary).
● Attendance at workshops is not a requirement for NQTs engaging in the Droichead process.
● NQTs participating in Droichead may count a workshop as an Additional Professional Learning Activity, to address a professional learning need identified by them, in consultation with their PST.

Cluster Meeting Info

Cluster 1 Meeting, which is a compulsory for Post Primary NQTS who are undertaking Droichead as a route to induction, and have not already completed Cluster 1.
Cluster 2 Meeting is for Post Primary NQTs undertaking Droichead as route to induction and have completed Cluster 1.
Cluster 3 Meeting is for Post Primary NQTs undertaking Droichead as route to induction and have completed at least Cluster 1 (and Cluster 2, depending on the duration of the NQTs’ Droichead process)

TO BOOK A PLACE FOR A CLUSTER MEETING  PLEASE CONTACT WCEC ON 023 8856756/7 OR BY EMAIL This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

If any NQT has any queries with regard  to the impact of school closures you can contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. where your query will be addressed. Thank you for your patience at this time.

Any NQT who has already completed the Droichead process is asked to double check that Form D is correctly filled with no gaps/incorrect information, then post the completed form to the Teaching Council. Once normal working recommences, the Teaching Council will queue the forms for processing and update the NQT's registration accordingly.