St Pauls Hospital Special School
Beaumont, Dublin
Key facts
- Special school
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 54 smaller than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 13 girls, 41 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 19316I the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
About
St Paul’s Special School is a dedicated specialist institution for children and young people aged 3‑18 who have an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) diagnosis. The school delivers a holistic education that balances academic learning with social, spiritual, physical and emotional development. Curriculum provision follows the National Curriculum and is personalised through individual Education Plans, while a wide range of specialist subjects – including Home Economics, Woodwork, Fitness and Sports, Art, Pottery, Music, Horticulture and Gardening – give pupils practical skills and creative outlets. The campus is equipped with a variety of sensory‑rich facilities such as sensory rooms, a cycle programme, horse‑riding, swimming, a shop programme and dance sessions. These environments are designed to engage the five senses and support sensory integration. Small‑group classes, supported by specialist teachers and a large team of Special Needs Assistants, ensure that each child receives tailored instruction and care. A multidisciplinary clinical team comprising psychiatry, psychology, speech and language therapy, occupational therapy and nursing staff works closely with the school to provide comprehensive therapeutic support, fostering confidence and independence in every learner.
History
St Paul’s Special School was founded in 1971 by the Sisters of Mercy as an outreach initiative of the Child Guidance Clinic at the Mater Hospital. Originally established to serve children with autism, the school has grown into a fully funded Department of Education and Skills institution, now overseen by a Board of Management. Over the decades it has expanded its provision to include eight main‑school classes, an Early Intervention Class for younger pupils, and a range of respite services linked with the Mater Hospital, maintaining its original ethos of specialised, compassionate education for autistic learners.
Applying to St Pauls Hospital 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 Pauls Hospital 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 Pauls Hospital Special School
How many pupils attend St Pauls Hospital Special School?
St Pauls Hospital Special School has 54 pupils enrolled, 13 girls and 41 boys. That makes it smaller than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is St Pauls Hospital Special School a DEIS school?
No. St Pauls Hospital 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 Pauls Hospital Special School?
St Pauls Hospital Special School has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.