Carrigaline Community Special School
Carrigaline, Cork
Key facts
- Special school
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 47 smaller than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 12 girls, 35 boys
- Ethos
- Multi Denominational
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 20557O the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
About
Carrigaline Community Special School is a Community National School that delivers a tailored education for children and young people aged 4 to 18 years who have a diagnosis of autism accompanied by a mild or moderate learning disability. The school’s curriculum is designed to meet individual needs, integrating specialised support with the mainstream Junior Cycle framework. Emphasis is placed on developing digital competence through the use of Digital Portfolios and other e‑learning tools, enabling pupils to build confidence in technology and to participate fully in the Continuous Assessment (CBA) process. The school operates under the patronage of the Cork Education & Training Board and is part of the wider Community National School (CNS) system, fostering a strong community ethos and collaborative partnerships. A 2021 grant, funded via the Irish National Recovery and Resilience Plan and the EU’s NextGenerationEU programme, was used to bridge the digital divide, expand digital learning opportunities and enhance wellbeing initiatives. Strategic documents such as the Digital Learning Plan 2024‑2025, the Wellbeing Statement May 2025 and a five‑year School Improvement Plan guide the school’s continuous development and focus on holistic student welfare. Facilities include dedicated spaces for sensory‑friendly learning, equipped with modern ICT resources to support the digital curriculum. The school’s commitment to wellbeing, inclusive practice and community involvement creates a supportive environment where each learner can thrive academically, socially and personally.
Applying to Carrigaline Community Special 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 Carrigaline Community Special 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 Carrigaline Community Special School
How many pupils attend Carrigaline Community Special School?
Carrigaline Community Special School has 47 pupils enrolled, 12 girls and 35 boys. That makes it smaller than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Carrigaline Community Special School a DEIS school?
No. Carrigaline Community Special 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 Carrigaline Community Special School?
Carrigaline Community Special School has a Multi Denominational ethos. It is a mixed primary school.