SCC - UCD Partnership

UCD School of Education Partnership

In 2024, Swords Community College became an official partner school with the School of Education, University College Dublin (UCD). This partnership is built on a democratic pedagogical relationship between school and university, where both institutions learn from and with one another.

This school–university nexus is grounded in three core principles:

• Collective learning projects through shared outreach initiatives

• Professional development for teachers and student educators

• Leading teaching and learning through research-informed and innovative practice

Through this partnership, students have opportunities to participate in a range of UCD outreach initiatives throughout the year, including CyberWise, Digital Stories, and the Young Economist of the Year (YEOTY) programme. These initiatives encourage critical thinking, digital literacy, creativity, and academic ambition, while giving students meaningful engagement with university-level learning.

UCD Contribution to Outreach Initiatives Award

Each year, the UCD Contribution to Outreach Initiatives Award is presented to Transition Year student(s) who represent Swords Community College and make a significant contribution to UCD outreach initiatives during the academic year.

This award is a distinctive university-level recognition, tailored specifically to our partnership with the UCD School of Education. It acknowledges students who actively contribute to the UCD community and exemplify the following qualities:

• Leadership and Initiative

• Respect and Teamwork

• Partnership and Collaboration

• Academic Excellence

This award highlights the strength of the partnership between Swords Community College and UCD and celebrates students who demonstrate excellence, responsibility, and engagement beyond the classroom.