Phil Beddard

Celebrating Excellence

Enniskillen Royal Grammar School opened on 1 September 2016 as a co-educational voluntary grammar school, the result of the amalgamation of Portora Royal School and Enniskillen Collegiate Grammar School. It is located in Enniskillen, Co Fermanagh.

Phil Beddard is the Deputy Principal and part of his role is managing the school website. With the onset of COVID-19 and ensuing restrictions and upheavals for schools, Phil saw an opportunity to celebrate the work of the pupils and started a Celebration Gallery on the school’s website. The gallery showcases work from a wide range of subjects and is accessible to pupils, parents and the wider community.

Phil is sharing how the Celebration Gallery was started, how it is managed and the positive reception from pupils, staff, parents and the community.

Key Learning

  • Pupils who may not normally have been at the forefront in school had the opportunity to be recognised for their achievements

  • Allowed parents to see the teaching and learning taking place even when pupils were engaged in remote learning

  • It promoted sharing of good practice amongst colleagues

  • Encouraged staff to develop their professional expertise

  • Nurtured a sense of school community and continuity


Points to consider when starting a Celebration Gallery:

  • Start small. Begin by uploading perhaps some photographs and a piece of narrative

  • For managing the gallery divide the work up. The collection of pieces, the selection and formatting and finally the uploading

  • Be consistent and adhere to commitments for posting – start perhaps once a month or fortnightly

  • Encourage all teachers to become involved