A Special Class was set up in Scoil Eoin Baiste in August 2021 with the approval of the Minister for Education and Skills.  The school has established a class to provide an education exclusively for students with a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). There must be a recommendation from the relevant professionals in the report that a special class placement in mainstream school is both necessary and suitable for the child. The child’s ability will be considered so that his/her potential to integrate into mainstream classes, where appropriate, can be maximised to the full.

A maximum of six pupils can enrol in any Special Class with the support of a class teacher and two special needs assistants.

In December 2021, we received confirmation from the Department of Education that we have been granted permission to build an extension onto the school for the purposes of the special education classes.  This extension will have two classrooms, central activity spaces, sensory rooms, daily living skills areas and much more. It will be a highly beneficial resource for the children in the special classes as well as children throughout the school. In the mean time, the children in the special class are set up in one of the classrooms and avail of the extensive school yard, outdoor classroom, sensory room and much more. We are hoping to set up a sensory walk along the concrete path to the outdoor classroom within the next year.