The Institute of Education (IOE), is one of the largest private secondary schools in Ireland,[2] teaching 4th, 5th and 6th year pupils. As well as preparing for the Leaving Certificate, fourth-year pupils at the Institute have the option to study a selection of subjects from the Cambridge International GCSE programme (IGCSE) as well as CEFR Language exams.
The Institute provides several programmes, all within the Senior Cycle of the Irish educational system. Those who wish to study full-time are known as day students and pay standard yearly fees. Students may also attend the school's part-time and evening "grind" classes, which take place in the evenings and Saturday mornings, with intensive tuition and fees based on the number of subjects taken. Intensive five-day revision courses are also available during regular school holidays, such as Christmas, Easter, winter mid-term break, and May and August. Study skills seminars are available in September. The Institute also runs preparation courses for the Health Professions Admissions Test (HPAT).
Unlike other secondary schools in the country, the Institute receives no government funding and is therefore not subject to the school rules and regulations put in place by the Department of Education.[4]
Buildings and facilities
The school is located in several refurbished Georgian terraced houses on Leeson Street in Dublin. It also has three newer buildings at the back of the terraced houses. The Institute has a science laboratory, art room, home economics kitchen, computer laboratory, and a specialised technical drawing classroom. There are two halls for supervised study. All classes are recorded and livestreamed on Panopto for students to access. The Moodle system allows teachers to communicate with students and post online learning resources.
Number 85 Lower Leeson. The famous yellow door
Academic performance
The Institute is a grind school due to its focus on exam results. It is the single biggest provider of students to third-level colleges and universities in Ireland. Students have progressed onto world-class universities, including Oxford, Cambridge, UCL, Imperial College London, and Harvard.
In 2023, over 60 students received offers to study at Russell Group Universities, with 9 students receiving offers to study at G5 Universities. University progression rate is among the highest in Ireland, at 100%.
Awards and achievements
Students from the school have received recognition in national and international competitions, such as academic scholarships. In 2023, for example, 83 students were awarded UCD Entrance Scholarships and in 2020, 9 Leaving Certificate cohort students received Academic Scholarship Awards from Dublin City University.[5] In 2024, a student from the Institute was awarded the Eli Lilly prize for the best overall project in Chemistry or Biotechnology,[6] and a student received an Excellence Award for an outstanding assignment on cystic fibrosis during the Oxford University Summer Course.[7] Other awards have been won in areas such as business, musical performance and student journalism.[8][9][10] Sports awards have also been acquired.[11][12][13]
Media
Between 2008 and 2012, the Institute of Education contributed to Exam Brief by the Irish Independent, a yearly six-part supplement dedicated to preparation for Leaving and Junior Certificate exams.[14] This supplement is published in February, March and April each year.
Acquisition by Dukes Education
In April 2023, Dukes Education, a UK-based international education group, acquired the Institute of Education. The transaction, valued at approximately €130 million, encompassed the Institute's properties on Leeson Street, appraised at €30 million, and £8.6 million in cash. The educational business itself was valued at over €91 million. [15]
Post-acquisition, the school's principal, Yvonne O'Toole, remained in her role and took on the managing director position. Peter Kearns, son of the founder, stepped down as managing director but continued in a strategic advisory capacity. The Kearns family retained a 6.7% stake in the business. [16]
Integrating the Institute into Duke's Education family is expected to provide students with enhanced educational opportunities, including access to international exchange programs, university application support, and a broader range of extracurricular activities while maintaining the Institute's established standards of academic excellence.
Extracurricular activities and student life
Extracurricular activities include Culture Day, an annual event celebrating the diverse backgrounds of the student body through music, dance, and cuisine, and student societies. Including debate, Model United Nations, drama, choir, fitness, football, badminton, chess, language clubs and more. The teachers put on Masterclasses and drop-in tutorials.
Technological advancements in education
The Institute integrates technology to enhance learning:
Panopto: Lectures are recorded and made accessible online, allowing students to review material conveniently.
Moodle: A comprehensive learning management system supports course materials, assignments, and communication between teachers and students.
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