St Francis Special School
Kerry
Key facts
- Special school
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 73 smaller than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 23 girls, 50 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 19547E the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
About
St Francis Special School, situated in Whitefield, Beaufort, Co Kerry, provides specialist education for children and young people aged 4‑18 who have moderate, severe or profound learning disabilities. The school delivers a tailored curriculum that aligns junior classes with the Primary Curriculum and senior classes with the Junior Cycle, ensuring that pupils progress through recognised educational stages while receiving the individual support they need. A strong emphasis is placed on developing life‑skills, communication, and social interaction, alongside academic learning, to promote independence and confidence. The campus is equipped with a range of therapeutic and sensory facilities designed to enhance learning and wellbeing. These include a hydrotherapy pool, a dedicated sensory room, an occupational therapy (OT) room, and a secure playground, all of which support a holistic, multi‑sensory approach to education. The school’s environment is purpose‑built to accommodate a variety of physical and intellectual needs, fostering a nurturing community where each pupil can thrive.
History
The school originated on the farm of Denis and Mary Doyle in Whitefield, Beaufort. In 1964 their daughter, Mary Rose Doyle, entered a convent and the couple donated the entire farm to the Franciscan Sisters. Initially intended as a home for retired priests, the Sisters, advised by the Bishop of Kerry, repurposed the site to serve physically and intellectually challenged children. Bishop Moynihan laid the foundation stone in October 1966, and a 60‑bed residential facility, then known as St Mary of the Angels, was opened with generous local support. For many years it remained the sole residential special‑needs school in the county.
Applying to St Francis 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 Francis 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 Francis Special School
How many pupils attend St Francis Special School?
St Francis Special School has 73 pupils enrolled, 23 girls and 50 boys. That makes it smaller than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is St Francis Special School a DEIS school?
No. St Francis 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 Francis Special School?
St Francis Special School has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.