Context/background of project In 2014, a whole school evaluation was carried out in St Joseph's by the department of education's inspectorate. This evaluation highlighted areas of strength and areas for development across all aspects of our school. The school's board of management, leadership team, staff and parents are focused on delivering improvements and prioritizing areas for development which were highlighted by this evaluation. A school self evaluation and improvement plan has been put in place for the period 2015 - 2016. It contains the following targets: • to increase the numbers of ICT trained staff by 40% • to reduce the rate of early school leaving by 25% • to increase the supports to SEN students by training 40% more staff in special education • to target literacy and numeracy development in all subject department plans St Joseph's has sourced professional development courses in the areas of ICT, SEN, school management and student pastoral care. These courses address the identified needs of our school as already outlined. Participants on these courses will be drawn from different nationalities and education systems and St Joseph's are drawing participants from a variety of subject areas and levels of management. The mobility activities give a European dimension to the training and enable professional development in a European context which will help the internationalisation of our school. Number and profile of participants There are 9 teachers involved in the mobility activities. They are drawn from senior management, middle management, specialist areas such as special education and Guidance Counselling and the subject areas of English, Science and Maths. Description of activities participant selection - candidates were selected for mobility activities on the basis of these applications particularly in relation to their understanding of the need to disseminate the skills learned and also on the basis that the relevant departments of the school were represented. participant preparation - participants will be provided with reading materials and technical support relating to their course - communication with other course participants via skype and email participant training - mobility activities are planned to take place over a 24 month period - participants are instructed to keep records for briefing colleagues on their return - a mobility report is to be forwarded to school principal on each participants return to St Joseph's dissemination of formation - through staff meetings, subject department workshops, teacher association meetings, Principals meetings and eTwinning platform St Joseph's will share new competences among the school community and teachers at a local, regional national and European level evaluation of mobility project - evaluation processes will occur (i) immediately after mobility (by participants) (ii) following school workshops (iii) following subject department meetings, (iv) as part of our school improvement evaluation Methodology to be used in carrying out this project - Training the participants - Workshops for colleagues - Sharing of information at local and regional level though teacher associations - linking and discussion at an international level through online contact and eTwinning platforms Results and impact envisaged - increased ability to use a far wider range of modern technologies in the teaching and learning process - increased understanding of how to make use of ICT in a practical manner providing greater impact on students - enhanced cultural awareness - better awareness of the European project - increased motivation for taking part in other European Projects and mobility opportunities in Europe - improved ability to lead the teaching and learning at teacher and school management level - increased skills to support the pastoral care of students particularly students at risk of leaving school early - improved teaching methodologies that are innovative and respond to the different ways students learn - improved levels of attainment across our student cohort - a reduced rate of students dropping out of school - improved literacy (including digital literacy) for all students Potential longer term benefits - improved level of skills e. g. digital competences - personal/cultural development and employability in the regional and national Labour Market - more positive attitude towards European projects and EU values - promote participation in other European projects