Cara Junior School
Cork
Key facts
- Special school
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 72 smaller than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 14 girls, 58 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 20354A the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
About
Cara Junior School is a specialist primary school for children aged 4‑12 who have a dual diagnosis of autism and a mild or moderate intellectual disability. The school provides a highly structured, pupil‑centred learning environment where each child’s individual needs are met through a range of sensory‑regulation strategies, social stories, communication boards and the Lámh system. Lessons follow the Primary School Curriculum but are delivered with clear visual cues and scaffolding to support comprehension and engagement. The campus occupies a large building in Mayfield, Cork, offering ample space for both academic work and sensory regulation activities. Each classroom is staffed by a fully qualified teacher supported by a team of three Special Needs Assistants, ensuring a low teacher‑to‑pupil ratio and personalised attention. Recent investment from the EU’s Next Generation funding has equipped the school with interactive whiteboards, enhancing digital learning opportunities for pupils who may be at risk of educational disadvantage. The school’s ethos, as set out in its Vision Statement, is to create a welcoming, safe and inclusive community where the individuality of every child is celebrated. A strong partnership with parents, facilitated through an active Parents and Friends Association, underpins the collaborative approach to learning and wellbeing.
History
Cara Junior School was established in 2011 by the Department of Education and Science under the patronage of the Brothers of Charity. Since its inception, the school has grown to employ 12 teachers and 37 Special Needs Assistants, developing a reputation for high‑quality teaching and a supportive, well‑structured learning environment, as highlighted in the Whole School Evaluation of April 2023.
Applying to Cara Junior School
For a September 2027 place, a school's formal admissions process cannot begin before 1 October 2026. The school sets its own opening and closing dates in its annual admission notice.
National term dates 2026/27
Irish schools follow a standardised school year, so these nationwide primary school dates apply broadly to Cara Junior School. Individual schools set their own discretionary closure days, confirm exact dates with the school.
- October Mid-Term Break: Mon 26 Oct – Fri 30 Oct 2026
- Christmas Holidays: Wed 23 Dec 2026 – Tue 5 Jan 2027
- February Mid-Term Break: Thu 18 Feb – Fri 19 Feb 2027 (post-primary schools: Mon 15 Feb – Fri 19 Feb 2027)
- Easter Holidays: Mon 22 Mar – Sun 4 Apr 2027
Primary schools close for the last two days of the February mid-term week and may use discretionary days to take the full week, so their break can be shorter than post-primary schools'.
Frequently asked questions about Cara Junior School
How many pupils attend Cara Junior School?
Cara Junior School has 72 pupils enrolled, 14 girls and 58 boys. That makes it smaller than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Cara Junior School a DEIS school?
No. Cara Junior School is not part of DEIS, the Department of Education programme of additional supports for schools serving communities at risk of educational disadvantage. Not holding DEIS status says nothing about how good a school is, only about the profile of the community it serves.
What is the ethos of Cara Junior School?
Cara Junior School has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.