St Bernadettes Special School
Montenotte, Cork
Key facts
- Special school
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 132 about the same size as the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 51 girls, 81 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 18458A the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
About
Scoil Bernadette is a dedicated special school providing post‑primary education for students with additional needs. The curriculum blends mainstream senior cycle programmes such as the Leaving Certificate Applied (LCA) and the Learning for Living (LFL) pathway with a robust Transition Year offering, ensuring that pupils can progress at a pace suited to their abilities while gaining valuable life‑skills and academic qualifications. Emphasis is placed on personalised learning plans, therapeutic support and a nurturing environment that promotes confidence, independence and social inclusion. The school’s facilities reflect a holistic approach to education. Students benefit from well‑equipped workshops for woodwork, a home economics suite, science laboratories and a vibrant art studio. Outdoor learning is encouraged through a horticulture and gardening programme, and the presence of an assistance dog, Kerry, supports emotional wellbeing and social interaction. A strong partnership with parents and the wider community underpins the school’s ethos, fostering a collaborative atmosphere that celebrates each learner’s achievements and prepares them for life beyond school.
Applying to St Bernadettes 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 St Bernadettes 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 St Bernadettes Special School
How many pupils attend St Bernadettes Special School?
St Bernadettes Special School has 132 pupils enrolled, 51 girls and 81 boys. That makes it about the same size as the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is St Bernadettes Special School a DEIS school?
No. St Bernadettes 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 St Bernadettes Special School?
St Bernadettes Special School has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.