Special Needs Education is provided across the school.
The Sonas building was established in 2009 and provides a purpose built environment with specialised equipment to aid those pupils with physical disabilities. It has two classrooms both with one-to-one rooms and bathrooms. There is also a full kitchen and further bathroom. Outside is a secure play area and the whole building benefits from a sunny, sheltered site. The children follow the Primary School Curriculum and teachers follow the Guidelines for Children with Learning Disabilities. Whilst the children in these classes need the high level of support that a special class can provide, many of them benefit from integrating with children in mainstream classes. Shared classes include Music, Art and PE. There is also a great deal of integration from peers at break times with a 'circle of friends' established for some pupils. The children also participate in whole school events such as the St. Patrick's Day Parade, Advent Spiral and Halloween party. We also host a very successful HB Down Syndrome Ice Cream Party every May.
In 2017 a class for children with Autistic Spectrum Disorder was established. Children from Junior Infant to 6th Class ages are accommodated in a specially renovated classroom with one-to-one rooms and individual work stations as well as communal areas.
There are also four Special Education Teachers who work with mainstream pupils either within their own classrooms or in specially designated classrooms.
The school benefits from regular input of CoAction professionals including Speech and Language Therapists, Occupational Therapist and Physiotherapist as well as psychology services and also have regular visits from members of the West Cork Art Centre and people involved in art therapy.
The Sonas building was established in 2009 and provides a purpose built environment with specialised equipment to aid those pupils with physical disabilities. It has two classrooms both with one-to-one rooms and bathrooms. There is also a full kitchen and further bathroom. Outside is a secure play area and the whole building benefits from a sunny, sheltered site. The children follow the Primary School Curriculum and teachers follow the Guidelines for Children with Learning Disabilities. Whilst the children in these classes need the high level of support that a special class can provide, many of them benefit from integrating with children in mainstream classes. Shared classes include Music, Art and PE. There is also a great deal of integration from peers at break times with a 'circle of friends' established for some pupils. The children also participate in whole school events such as the St. Patrick's Day Parade, Advent Spiral and Halloween party. We also host a very successful HB Down Syndrome Ice Cream Party every May.
In 2017 a class for children with Autistic Spectrum Disorder was established. Children from Junior Infant to 6th Class ages are accommodated in a specially renovated classroom with one-to-one rooms and individual work stations as well as communal areas.
There are also four Special Education Teachers who work with mainstream pupils either within their own classrooms or in specially designated classrooms.
The school benefits from regular input of CoAction professionals including Speech and Language Therapists, Occupational Therapist and Physiotherapist as well as psychology services and also have regular visits from members of the West Cork Art Centre and people involved in art therapy.
