FACE TO FACE: CHESS FOR SOCIAL & COGNITIVE SKILLS - FICHEALL NETWORK

 

 

Summer Course Booking Policy

Our summer courses are booked on the condition that the course fee is non-refundable.
Unfortunately, if you wish to cancel your place on one of our courses or are unable to attend the course, we are not in a position to refund fees.

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 PRIMARY Teachers who attend the full 20-hour summer course will qualify for 3 extra Personal vacation days. 

Chess for Social & Cognitive Skills is like no other summer course as it is extremely hands-on and teacher-centred. Chess is a growing pastime in Irish primary schools with 1 in every 4 primary schools now joined the Ficheall network. It is an excellent extension to teaching the SPHE curriculum from 1^st-6^th class as well as being a fun hobby for students (and teachers) for rainy days. It promotes a variety of social and cognitive skills such as respect, forward planning, problem solving, decision making, accepting defeat, understanding resilience and developing a productive disposition to problem solving; all of which are addressed in the free beginner lessons available to participants. The course is excellent preparation for teachers looking to teach chess to children in 2026/2027 and register for the one-day fun-and-friendly, meet-and-greet, non-competitive Féile Fichille events.

 

James facilitated this course a number of years ago in Dungarvan. That particular cohort of teachers has since gone on to become successful chess teachers and Ficheall Chess Tournament Arbiters, Area Co-ordinators and Ficheall Tournament hosts.

I have also facilitated this course in Clonmel and Cashel for the Tipperary Education Centre and as an online course for the Kilkenny Education Centre during Covid.

I am currently the Ficheall Area Co-ordinator for the East Cork Area.

I am a primary school teacher and have been teaching chess to pupils since I began teaching 20 years ago.

Chess is a fantastic learning tool and really complements the primary school curriculum. 

From my own experience, the students benefit socially and cognitively through chess.

The Ficheall approach provides a simple, fun and effective way of teaching chess in line with the primary SPHE curriculum

Course is approved for 3 EPV Days.

Some testimonials from 2,000+ teachers who completed the course in recent years:

• “Thanks so much for a fantastic, hands-on learning experience. Hands down the most engaging EPV course I've ever attended!”
• “If you want a summer course where you get to have fun and learn new skills in a relaxed, easy going, pressure-free environment then this is the course for you! I really enjoyed the week and it's the first time I'm sad a summer course is over. SIGN UP! You won't regret it!”
• A course that empowers teachers, to inspire pupils to develop a life-long enjoyment of an ancient game.
• Not only did this course provide me with a new and concrete set of tools for teaching social skills, I also learned a new skill and pastime for myself - supporting the well-being of pupils and teachers all in one!
• As a total chess novice, it was personally and professional the best course EVER!!
• Delighted I chose to do this course. Very engaging all week and there was great comradery and competition! Leaving the course knowing how to play well and how to set up in the classroom. Would do this again.

Teachers will have the opportunity to learn how to play chess by playing chess mini-games against other novice teachers. The course will teach all participants:

• how to play chess (from zero prior knowledge) and the best methods of teaching primary school children as young as first class the game using a fun, games-based approach
• how to utilise chess as an additional resource in teaching social skills in the mainstream and special education classroom to address the SPHE curriculum
• how to organise a school chess club, school chess team and in-school chess competitions

Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to ask any questions of the course.

In line with DES Circular 0037/1997, participants attending Summer Courses accrue entitlements as follows:

• Full Attendance (20 Hours): 3 EPV Days
• 4 Days Attendance (16 Hours): 2 EPV Days
• No EPV days will be awarded for less than 4 days attendance