AIMS AND OUTCOMES

This course primarily focuses on knowledge (breadth and kind), know-how and skill (range and selectivity) and competence (context) sub-strands. On completion of the Diploma, participants should be better able to:

Knowledge – Breadth

Critically analyse the current and topical legal and policy issues affecting schools.

Knowledge – Breadth / Knowledge – Kind

Critically examine the legal framework in which education is carried out and consider its implication for school practice, including relevant sources such as the Constitution, the European Convention on Human Rights, primary and secondary legislation, case law and circulars.

Knowledge – Kind / Know-how and skill - Selectivity

Apply Constitutional Law, legislation and case law to critically evaluate current and topical legal and policy issues affecting schools, to include identifying potential solutions.

Who is the Course for?

This programme is suitable for people with a legal and non-legal background, attracting principals, all teachers working in both primary and secondary education, home school liaison officers, bursars, people involved in school management, social care workers, education policymakers, inspectors and regulators, and legal practitioners.

Having a diverse group of professionals studying this course together allows participants to learn from each other, especially during tutorials and Q&A sessions. 

COURSE DESIGNER AND LEAD LECTURER

The designers and lead lecturers of the course are barristers Dr Claire O’Connor BL and Dr Claire Hogan BL.

A former teacher, Claire O’Connor specialises in children and education law. Claire Hogan specialises in constitutional, data protection, regulatory and European law.

COURSE CONTENT

MODULE 1: Introduction to the Legal System and Stakeholders in Education on Friday 19th & Saturday 20th of September

• Introduction to the course (live session, not recorded)

• Introduction to the Irish legal system (live session, recorded)

• Key stakeholders in education (live session, recorded)

• Tutorial 1 (live session, not recorded)

MODULE 2: Law of School Management on Friday 14th & Saturday 15th of November

• Law of school management (live session, recorded)

• Data protection (live session, recorded)

• Enrolment, discipline and section 29 appeal (live session, recorded)

• Negligence and occupiers’ liability in schools (live session, recorded)

• Tutorial 2 (live session, not recorded)

MODULE 3: Children’s Rights on Friday 23rd & Saturday 24th of January

• An Overview of the Law on Cyberbullying and Social Media Issues for Schools (live session, recorded).

• Child welfare: the paramount concern (live session, recorded)

• The rights of a child with a disability / special needs (live session, recorded)

• Religion in the classroom (live session, recorded)

• Tutorial 3 (live session, not recorded)

MODULE 4: Rights and Responsibilities of Teachers on Friday 17th & Saturday 18th of April

• Overview of employment law issues in schools (live session, recorded)

• The regulation of teachers (live session, recorded)

• Anatomy of a case – Stokes v Christian Brothers High School, Clonmel (live session, recorded)

• Tutorial 3 (live session, not recorded)

IN–PERSON CLASS: Friday 24th of April (subject to change)

Please note the course content is subject to change in accordance with new developments in this area. 

Previous Speakers

The course is delivered by leading experts in the field. In addition to the course coordinators, previous speakers on the course have included:

• The Hon. Justice Nuala Butler

• Judge Catherine Ghent

• Dr David Fennelly BL

• Cathy Smith SC

• David Ruddy BL

• Dr Dympna Glendenning BL

• James Kane BL

• Louise Beirne BL

• Tom Mallon BL

ASSESSMENT & ACCREDITATION

This is a professional development course, and it is accredited independently by The Honorable Society of King’s Inns. The skills and competence gained in studying at King’s Inns are transferable, portable and recognised internationally. It is a valuable qualification delivered by distinguished lawyers, members of the judiciary, legal and other practitioners specialising in legal education.

The assessment methodology for this course is an individual research assessment.

COURSE DELIVERY

Mode of Delivery:

Primarily online (via Zoom) synchronous delivery, with the option to attend one in-person face-to-face delivery session.

Classes are recorded using eLearning software and made available to students for streaming via our Virtual Learning Environment (Moodle). This means that, while all students are welcome to attend class online live via Zoom, most of the sessions will be recorded so that students who are unable to attend can catch up on the material by streaming the video in their own time. Interactive elements such as class discussions / tutorials will not be recorded and will be cast online live only.

Volume of Learning:

• Direct contact hours: 32

• Self-directed learning: 62.5

• Assessment work: 40

Total number of hours = 134.5

The course takes place over four weekends, from September to April, with live tutorials and lectures on Friday evenings (5.00pm to 8.30pm) and Saturdays (9.30am to approx. 3.30pm):

Provisional start date: Friday, 18 September 2026

• Weekend 1: Friday 18th & Saturday 19th of September

• Weekend 2: Friday 13th & Saturday 14th of November

• Weekend 3: Friday 22nd & Saturday 23rd of January

• Weekend 4: Friday 16th & Saturday 17th of April

• In-Person Date: Thursday 22nd of April (subject to change)

All class notes are available to read through our Virtual Learning Environment. Online tutorials and IT support are available to help students navigate their way through our library and legal resource databases.

King’s Inns is built on networking and engagement. Over the year, we invite students to attend and participate in various social events, fireside chats and talks. Events take place either online or in–person. All of this contributes to the learning experience that is King’s Inns.

How to Apply

• In order to verify your personal details, you must first create an account on the Application Portal through the ‘register and apply here’ button below. Once you verify your email address in the Portal, you can then proceed with your application. 

• The application process is very short and your place on the course will not be secured until payment is received in full. Once payment is received, you are automatically accepted on the course.

• Payment can be made through the Application Portal using your credit or debit card (please make sure your bank allows you to process the full payment in one go), or 

• If your employer is paying for your studies, you will require a valid PO number in advance of making the application, the name and email address for the person responsible for payment in your organisation. 

• The invoice will issue directly to the person whose details you enter. The participant will also be able to download a copy of the invoice through the Application Portal. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure their employer has paid in full within the timeframe required in order to secure a place. King’s Inns cannot contact your employer for payment, we can only liaise with the applicant.

• An automated payment receipt will be generated confirming your place on the course.

• Subscribing members: You must apply your discount code upon application. It cannot be applied after the application is made. 

Barrister–at–Law graduates who are subscribing members to King’s Inns receive a 10% discount on this course. You must receive your discount code before applying.