The Fermanagh Learning Community held its first-ever educational conference.

The event, which took place at Devenish College, brought together more than 375 educators from 11 member schools.

The Fermanagh Learning Community, founded in 2008, was established to improve student access to a broader range of subjects at the post-16 level.

Over time, its focus has widened to include various strategic subgroups dedicated to teaching and professional development, careers, curriculum, special needs support, and pastoral care.

Elizabeth Armstrong, the outgoing chairperson and principal of Enniskillen Royal Grammar School, opened the conference by welcoming attendees and discussing the community's professional development achievements.

She then introduced keynote speaker Alistair Hamill, a teacher at Lurgan College.

Mr. Hamill's presentation on improving teaching methods using Rosenshine’s Principles of Instruction set a positive tone for the day.

The conference offered more than 20 different educational development themes in breakout sessions, led mainly by local teachers and a few invited professionals.

Participants chose two sessions, allowing for tailored learning experiences.

After a lunch break, participants met in subject-specific groups, promoting idea and resource sharing among teachers from different schools.

The event wrapped up with a talk by motivational speaker Orla McKeating on diversity in the classroom, a topic that resonated with the audience given the current emphasis on inclusivity in education.

Martina McCauley, principal of St. Mary’s College, Irvinestown, and the new chairperson of the Fermanagh Learning Community (2023-25), closed the conference by thanking everyone involved in organising the event.

She stressed the significance of such gatherings in strengthening inter-school relationships and improving educational experiences for students region-wide.