In Coláiste Chiaráin, we are committed to developing each student to their full potential. The Special Educational Needs (SEN) Department provides ongoing support to students with additional educational needs.
When enrolling a child in our school, it is critical that parents/guardians inform us of any learning difficulties facing the child. All reports/Irish exemption certificate must be provided to the school to help plan for their support once a place has been accepted.
There is an SEN co-ordinator for each year group/specialised area:
1st Year SEN Co-Ordinator: Dearbhaile West & Linda Kilmartin
2nd Year SEN Co-Ordinator: Pamela McCormack
3rd Year Co-Ordinator: Norrie Ross
TY Co-Ordinator: Dearbhaile West
5th & 6th Year Co-Ordinator: Linda Kilmartin
Assistive Technology - John McLoughlin
ASD Special Class (Hazel & Cedar) Co-Ordinator: Ethna Murphy
The co-ordinator liaises with students, parents, staff, and outside agencies to coordinate provision for students SEN. They liaise with parents and the State Examinations Commission to ensure that the needs of students who qualify for Reasonable Accommodations for the State Certificate Examinations (RACE) are met.
DARE is the Disability Access Route to Education and offers students with special educational needs access to third level on reduced points. Eligible students are supported through the school's Guidance and SEN departments.
We use the National Council for Special Education continuum of support model when supporting students. Supports for students with Additional Educational Needs include but are not limited to the following based on their level of need:
- Co-teaching within classroom
- Small group learning support
- One-to-one teaching
- Assistive technology (where applicable)
- SNA support (where applicable)
- Reasonable Accommodation for State Exams
(where applicable)
Here in Coláiste Chiaráin we have two classes for students with ASD or autism spectrum disorder. We opened our first class in 2018 and when we opened our new school in 2020, we expanded from 6 to 12 students. The two classes Cedar and Hazel have students from different year groups. In the ASD classes we have a full range of subjects taught by mainstream teachers such as Woodwork, PE, Technology, Art, Cookery, Geography etc. There are outings once a week and we facilitate our students to out on work experience from TY onwards. We are very lucky in Coláiste Chiaráin to have our own designated area with two classrooms, along with a woodwork/art room, sensory and relaxation rooms, a soft play area and a kitchen and eating area. We are very proud of our ASD classes and the work the students achieve.
