St Declans Special School
BALLSBRIDGE, Dublin
Key facts
- Special school
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 35 smaller than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 7 girls, 28 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 18569J the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
About
St. Declan’s Special School is a co‑educational Roman Catholic special school situated in Ballsbridge, Dublin 4. It provides a supportive, low‑ratio learning environment for primary‑aged children (aged 4‑12) who experience emotional or behavioural difficulties that impede their progress in mainstream settings. Classes typically consist of six pupils, one class teacher and two Special Needs Assistants, allowing for personalised instruction and one‑to‑one support. The school’s curriculum is underpinned by the Jesuit ethos of “Head, Heart, Hand”, promoting competence in communication, a compassionate conscience and service to others, reinforced through the St Declan’s Code and student‑led projects such as the Head‑Heart‑Hand initiative and the ceramic mural commemorating the 50th anniversary. The school’s facilities have been enhanced by a 2021 grant from the Irish National Recovery and Resilience Plan, which upgraded internet connectivity and assistive‑technology resources, ensuring pupils can fully engage with digital learning tools. Children normally attend for up to two years before transitioning back to mainstream schools or into special classes within mainstream settings, with the aim of improving coping skills, social interaction and academic readiness.
History
St Declan’s Special School was founded in 1958 by the Irish Jesuits under the patronage of the Archbishop of Dublin. Established to serve children who, for personal or emotional reasons, were achieving below their potential in local schools, the school has maintained its Jesuit‑inspired mission and ethos throughout its development, celebrating milestones such as its 50th anniversary in 2008.
Applying to St Declans 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 Declans 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 Declans Special School
How many pupils attend St Declans Special School?
St Declans Special School has 35 pupils enrolled, 7 girls and 28 boys. That makes it smaller than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is St Declans Special School a DEIS school?
No. St Declans 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 Declans Special School?
St Declans Special School has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.