AIB Future Sparks

Developing an exciting interdisciplinary ‘Life Skills’ programme for all year groups.

AIB briefed Real Nation to develop a new schools programme that would build on their previous educational offerings and legacy of supporting post primary schools since 2002.

Client: AIB
  • Post Primary Education
  • Life Skills Programme
  • Educational Resources
  • Financial Education
  • Careers & Guidance
  • Business Resources
  • Future Sparks TV

Working closely with AIB, Real Nation developed an exciting new interdisciplinary ‘Life Skills’ programme for all year groups. The purpose of the programme is to encourage the development of key life skills through a student’s significant life moments and transitions.

Real Nation established the overall programme framework and brought on board a working group of subject specialist teachers to collaborate on producing 190 educational resources that would resonate deeply with targeted teachers.

Our overarching aim was to ensure that the programme fits in seamlessly with the curriculum, maps onto current key skills frameworks, and provides valuable educational resources; ‘Joining the dots for young people in a cohesive manner’.

We knew that a move towards skills-based learning, especially with the introduction of the Framework for Junior Cycle in 2015, and an emphasis on ‘life skills’ in the ongoing Senior Cycle Framework would be welcomed, however we were overwhelmed that more than 490 schools quickly signed up in the first month since we launched in September 2021.

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Key features of the programme include:
  • An expansive, but easy-to-navigate, online repository of free-targeted subject specific education resources across Guidance Counselling, Transition Year, Business, SPHE & CSPE (more subjects to on-board in year 2).
  • TY Work Experience resources that collate best practice from TY schools across the country.
  • The unveiling of an online series ‘Future Sparks TV’, a teen-centric approach to real life stories sparking off conversations and further learning.
  • Provision of regular and topical E-zines across 21st Century themes; Health, Global Citizenship, Financial Education, Civic Literacy and Sustainability – aligned to AIB’s sustainability agenda and 2030 pledge.
  • Highly coveted ‘Freshers’ Packs’ for first years that will help with their transition into Post Primary school. This is a novel approach with all resources being written by practising Guidance Counsellors.
  • Partnership with Careers Portal, to sponsor their ‘Career-skills Competition’, and to draw on their expertise, tools and insights for registered Future Sparks Schools .

As the programme evolves, schools are encouraged to share their learnings as communities of best practice. We want to ensure that the good work done by teachers is seen and recognised, and will reward schools who share their input and expertise.

We will encourage AIB’s Industry partners to become involved and to share their stories and learning tools too, to further strengthen skills-based learning for young people in Ireland.

The AIB Future Sparks Programme is already the largest Schools’ programme in Ireland and will continue to emphasise the importance of building the community together.

Key Facts:
  • Launched in September 2021, AIB Future Sparks is already the largest schools programme in Ireland with more than 520 schools and 700 teachers registered in the first year.
  • AIB Future Sparks is a unique new life skills programme for schools, designed by teachers for teachers. It supports the core curriculum, maps onto current key skills frameworks, and provides invaluable educational resources for teachers.
  • 190 educational resources have been produced to date by our working group of subject specialist teachers, all created in a collaborative environment and with a view to resonate deeply with targeted teachers.
  • There is continued expansion of the online resource portfolio through the ongoing development and digitalisation of high-quality resources.
  • Future Sparks TV is a series of over 50 video episodes across the curriculum. It’s designed for students and features real-life stories from industry experts and well-known personalities.

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