St. Teresa's Special School
Galway
Key facts
- Special school
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 47 smaller than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 16 girls, 31 boys
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 20328W the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
About
St. Teresa’s Special School is a dedicated primary‑level special‑needs institution operating under the ethos and patronage of Ability West. The school provides a nurturing, inclusive environment for approximately 48 pupils, with a strong emphasis on developing living, functional and independent skills alongside the national curriculum. Teaching and support staff work collaboratively to create a holistic community where each child can reach their fullest potential, using best‑practice approaches tailored to individual needs. The school’s programme is enriched by a vibrant calendar of activities, including sensory adventures, immersive theatre visits and regular class‑based projects that foster creativity and social interaction. Classrooms are organised by colour‑coded “flower” themes (e.g., Daisy, Rose, Sunflower) to create a warm, recognisable setting for pupils. Facilities are designed to support both academic learning and therapeutic interventions, ensuring a caring atmosphere that promotes confidence, independence and personal growth.
Applying to St. Teresa's 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. Teresa's 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. Teresa's Special School
How many pupils attend St. Teresa's Special School?
St. Teresa's Special School has 47 pupils enrolled, 16 girls and 31 boys. That makes it smaller than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is St. Teresa's Special School a DEIS school?
No. St. Teresa's 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.