{"type":"rich","version":"1.0","provider_name":"Transistor","provider_url":"https://transistor.fm","author_name":"Leading for Impact with IPPN","title":"Building an Inclusive School Culture","html":"","width":"100%","height":180,"duration":2898,"description":"School leaders face immense pressure to deliver equitable education while managing complex special educational needs with limited resources.\nThis episode explores practical strategies for building inclusive school communities, developing needs-responsive educational practices, and fostering collaborative networks among educators.\nIPPN’s new podcast host Alan Sheehan is joined by Helena Trench, founding principal of Powerstown Educate Together National School, to discuss her experiences and actionable approaches to inclusive school leadership.\nDr Alan Sheehan\nAlan was the founding principal of Douglas Rochestown Educate Together NS (DRETNS) in Cork. The school has grown from 20 children and 2 teachers to over 500 pupils and 58 staff since it opened in 2013.\nAlan was seconded to the Leadership Division of Oide from January 2025 to June 2026 where he was a member of the design teams for the Forbairt programme and for the professional learning day for Leading Curriculum Enactment. \nHe has facilitated professional learning for school leaders on the Misneach, Tánaiste, Forbairt and Comhar programmes as well as bespoke school support visits. \nAlan served as a member of IPPN National Council for Cork City on the Advocacy and Communications Committee, as well as being a member of the Cork IPPN Committee.\nAlan has an MEd in the area of curriculum, a PGD in SEN and a PhD in assessment. He is currently completing a PGD in Coaching in Education.\nHe was appointed to IPPN as Director of Member Supports & Services in September 2026.\nTHINGS WE SPOKE ABOUT\n- Starting a new school from scratch\n- Child-centered education and early teaching experiences\n- Developing special education and nurture rooms\n- Collaborative approaches to admissions in Dublin 15\n- Mentoring and supporting newly appointed principals\nGUEST DETAILS\nHelena Trench is the founding principal of Powerstown Educate Together National School in Dublin 15. Since opening in 2011, she has led its growth from a start-up...","thumbnail_url":"https://img.transistorcdn.com/aJi42R4jdQBofPBLmW-b33-JKAUvRVBOY-VGg9-Wf_8/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:400/h:400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS9jZGUw/NjJmNjExYWFlODZm/OWNiYjQ0MzQyYjZi/OTE1ZC5qcGc.webp","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_height":300}