St. Oliver's Child Education and Development Centre
Tuam, Galway
Key facts
- Special school
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 40 smaller than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 17 girls, 23 boys
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 20330J the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
About
St. Oliver’s Child Education and Development Centre is a specialist school situated in Tuam, County Galway, providing a full educational curriculum for children aged 4 to 18 whose primary assessed disability ranges from severe to profound learning disability. The centre also welcomes pupils with moderate multiple diagnoses, autism, and emotional or behavioural difficulties, and runs an Early Intervention class for children aged 2½ to 6 years with an autism diagnosis. As a Department of Education school, learning is delivered by qualified teachers and supported by Special Needs Assistants, ensuring a structured yet flexible programme that meets each child’s individual needs. Operating under the patronage of Ability West, the school benefits from a multidisciplinary team of professionals and a full‑time on‑site nurse who attend to the children’s medical and therapeutic requirements. Staff employ a variety of evidence‑based approaches, including PECS, TEACCH and Lámh, to promote communication, independence and social development. The centre provides door‑to‑door escorted transport via Bús Éireann and supplies hot meals each day, creating a safe and nurturing environment. Recent investment in a brand‑new facility has enhanced the learning environment with modern classrooms, sensory spaces and dedicated areas for creative projects such as the Creative Schools initiative and community‑led art workshops. These resources, together with a strong emphasis on inclusive extracurricular activities and regular fundraising events, support the holistic development of each pupil.
Applying to St. Oliver's Child Education and Development Centre
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. Oliver's Child Education and Development Centre. 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. Oliver's Child Education and Development Centre
How many pupils attend St. Oliver's Child Education and Development Centre?
St. Oliver's Child Education and Development Centre has 40 pupils enrolled, 17 girls and 23 boys. That makes it smaller than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is St. Oliver's Child Education and Development Centre a DEIS school?
No. St. Oliver's Child Education and Development Centre 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.