Small Schools Pilot Project Evaluation
Evaluating collaboration and shared learning across 26 small schools in Ireland.
- Service
- Evaluation
- Commissioned by
- Department of Education and Youth (DEY), Ireland
About the project
The National Small Schools Project operated under the Department of Education and Youth (DEY) and was overseen by a national Steering Group representing key education stakeholders from January 2022 to late 2026 in Ireland. The project recognised the need for focused policy development to support small schools in rural communities.
Twenty-six schools, divided into six school clusters, participated in the pilot project. Schools retained professional autonomy and worked together within their clusters to identify shared priorities, develop practical responses to local challenges, and explore their sustainability. Cluster Coordinators supported collaboration at local level, while a national coordinator led alignment, shared learning and consistency across clusters.
EduRelate has been commissioned by the DEY to evaluate the pilot project. The evaluation involves a literature and policy document review, and extensive consultations with a broad range of stakeholders. As part of the evaluation, the research team aims to visit the 26 participating schools, engaging with pupils, teachers, leadership team, parents, and Boards of Management. The results aim to capture how the school community experienced the pilot, including its perceived value, what worked well, and any challenges encountered during implementation. They will also explore key lessons learned to inform the DEY’s decision-making should it consider scaling up the initiative.