LOETB Inclusion Team

20/03/2026

Well done to Paula Grant, Shauna Busto Gilligan, Nettie Emerson and Sharon Grant from Portlaoise Prison Education Centre, LOETB who presented Reflections of Home through music, poetry and stonecraft: Homecoming Installation Project at the Ahead Altitude Summit today and received a tremendous response.

The Laois Homecoming festival took place over the weekend from the 6th - 9th September 2025 with activities taking place across the county. The Education Unit in Portlaoise Prison was asked if they would like to contribute to the festival, which is how the project was instigated.

This resulted in a collaborative project which took place over an academic year between students of Music, Literacy and Stonecraft in the Education Unit, Portlaoise Prison. Each student explored what the theme “Home” meant to them. Eight pieces including original poetry and music were accompanied by a stone window, made from recycled stone.

The window created by the Stonecraft students is their visual interpretation of the songs composed by the Music Students and poems written by Literacy students. The Stonecraft students selected words that inspired them and carved them onto stone. This installation was exhibited at the Laois Homecoming festival with great success.

21/01/2026

🎉OPEN DAY🎉

NLN Tullamore Open Day takes place on Wednesday 11 February 2026

11am- 4pm

NLN offers a range of inclusive, person-centred education and training programmes for individuals who may be experiencing mental health challenges, disability, or other barriers to education and employment.

Why not come along to the Open Day to learn more!



Laois and Offaly Education and Training Board

17/12/2025

🌍 Building Climate Literacy in Adult Education 🌱

We’re delighted to share that some of our adult literacy tutors recently took part in an Eco UNESCO Climate Literacy Workshop as part of a nationally funded project.

This training, held in the LOETB Information Hub, Portlaoise, focused on empowering educators with the knowledge and tools to integrate climate awareness into their teaching.

A big thank you to Eco UNESCO for delivering such an engaging and informative session! Together, we’re helping learners understand the importance of sustainability and climate action.

Climate literacy is key to creating informed communities and supporting positive change for our planet.


Laois and Offaly ETB Adult Literacy

Laois and Offaly Education and Training Board

20/11/2025

🎓 LOETB is proud to announce that we have adopted the Altitude Charter. A step forward for inclusive education in our Further Education and Training (FET) sector.

This Charter sets out four key pillars:
🟢Learning, Teaching & Assessment
🟢Supports, Services & Social Engagement
🟢Physical Environment
🟢Digital Environment

Each pillar contains clear goals and actionable steps to eliminate barriers and embed inclusive practices across FET provision.

Thank you to Dara Ryder (Chief Executive of AHEAD) for keynote input at our FET Staff Gathering, and to all staff and learners involved.

Inclusion is not just a policy—it’s a practice, a value, and a promise to every learner.

Read more ➜ https://loetb.ie/loetb-adopts-altitude-charter-to-advance-inclusive-education-in-further-education-and-training-fet/

19/11/2025

LOETB want to say a huge well done to our wonderful Adult Literacy Learner Ambassador Cathy Clear, pictured here speaking at the AONTAS Adult Education Summit, which takes place at the Avivia Stadium today and tomorrow.

Cathy is also pictured here with Minister of State, Marian Harkin, Dearbhail Lawless, CEO Aontas, John D’arcy, Chairperson Aontas and Jude Ebosereme Richard, Adult Learner from LMETB at the event where the theme is ‘Connecting Communities for Collective Action'.





Laois and Offaly ETB Community Education
Laois and Offaly ETB Adult Literacy

19/11/2025

Here are some photos from Monday’s Ask the Experts event at the Charleville Community Centre in Tullamore.
A panel of health specialists hosted an open and engaging discussion designed to help older adults better understand their health, ask questions with confidence, and feel more empowered when navigating health information and services. It was a fantastic morning of learning, connection, and community support.




Laois and Offaly ETB Adult Literacy

19/11/2025

LOETB Staff Tamara Latham, Hazel Stanely, Hazel Duffy and Gillian Cunningham pictured with our powerful learner ambassador Cathy Clear at the Aviva Stadium today where the Aontas Adult Education Summit takes place.

The event aims to bring communities, policymakers and key stakeholders together from Ireland, the United Kingdom and Europe to explore the power of community learning to transform lives.




and Offaly ETB Adult Literacy

18/11/2025

🎓 LOETB is proud to announce that we have adopted the Altitude Charter. A step forward for inclusive education in our Further Education and Training (FET) sector.

This Charter sets out four key pillars:
🟢Learning, Teaching & Assessment
🟢Supports, Services & Social Engagement
🟢Physical Environment
🟢Digital Environment

Each pillar contains clear goals and actionable steps to eliminate barriers and embed inclusive practices across FET provision.

Thank you to Dara Ryder (Chief Executive of AHEAD) for keynote input at our FET Staff Gathering, and to all staff and learners involved.

Inclusion is not just a policy—it’s a practice, a value, and a promise to every learner.

Read more ➜ https://loetb.ie/loetb-adopts-altitude-charter-to-advance-inclusive-education-in-further-education-and-training-fet/

Dara Ryder, CEO of AHEAD speaking at the LOETB FET Staff Day about Universal Design (UD) and how we can embed UD across FET provision.

18/11/2025

Gillian Cunningham Community Education Facilitator LOETB and Eileen Dunne FET Manager at the Ask the Experts event in Charleville Community Centre in Tullamore yesterday where a panel of health experts took part in an open discussion to help older adults better understand their health and feel more confident when finding and using health information and services !

13/11/2025

11/11/2025

We are so proud of Jordan Rattigan, Adult Literacy learner with LOETB who received a medal for completing the Dublin City Marathon this year. Jordan is pictured here with LOETB Educator Marge Bailey. Well done Jordan!

06/11/2025

Anne Marie, Jolene, Therese and Mary presenting at the ETBI UD in FET Workshop in Athlone today!


Laois and Offaly Education and Training Board