Principal’s Welcome
At St. Bríd’s Special School, we believe that every child is unique, capable, and deserving of a nurturing environment that fosters growth, independence, and joy. Our dedicated team is committed to providing a safe, inclusive, and inspiring space where children with moderate to severe and profound special needs can thrive.
Guided by our motto, "Empowerment towards full potential," we strive to unlock each child’s abilities, celebrate their achievements, and support their journey towards a bright and fulfilling future.
Together, we learn, grow, and achieve—one step at a time.
St Bríd’s Special Special School for Children with Moderate to Severe and Profound Needs is a co-educational special school, providing high quality education for pupils with autism and complex needs. The school offers child-centred education which draws on a range of evidence-based interventions. There are currently 36 students attending our school between the ages of 5 and 18. Many students have a primary diagnosis of autism and a secondary diagnosis of a mild, moderate, or severe/profound learning disability. Some of our students also have another diagnosis such as Down Syndrome, epilepsy, ADHD, ADD etc. We aim to provide high quality educational support to our students, assisting them to achieve their full potential and participate in their family and community life, through the provision of holistic evidence-based services, celebrating each individual’s dignity, uniqueness and right to an optimal education.
The ethos or philosophy of education in St Brid’s Special School is that all students are entitled to an education that will prepare them to be functioning members of their communities - educationally, socially, and behaviourally. We believe that educators have a responsibility to use proven best practice allied with appropriate data collection to effect positive change in a learner’s repertoire. The community of learners to which we are responsible are individuals with a primary diagnosis of Moderate to Severe and Profound Special Needs with one or more associated difficulties in terms of: environmental/social disadvantage, cognitive or language impairment, emotional or behavioural problems. We will follow the Primary School Curriculum (1999), the Guidelines for Teaching Students with Moderate and Severe to Profound General Learning Difficulties and are aiming to introduce the Junior Cycle Level 1 and 2 with some modifications as indicated by the assessed needs of the students. Each student’s curriculum will be driven by an Individualised Education Plan (IEP) which will be drawn up in consultation with the family of each child along with any professionals deemed necessary by the school team. All IEP based teaching will be data driven and evidence based and will be in line with International best practice. Classroom management will be facilitated according to best behavioural practice with due regard for other evidence-based methods.
Should you require further information, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Andrew Maxwell (Principal)
Mission Statement
“Empowerment towards full potential.”
St. Brid’s is committed to providing a caring, trusting and supportive environment in which our pupils’ academic, physical, social and emotional needs are catered for.
The school delivers a broad curriculum which is child centred and focuses on developing the pupils’ unique strengths and abilities.
Emphasis is placed on developing individual education programmes with a wide range of learning experiences both within and outside the school environment. These learning experiences promote social and emotional and intellectual development while encouraging self confidence, indepenence and self-esteem.
The staff are encouraged and facilitated to partake in ongoing professional development so that innovative approaches to working with the students are relevant and current.
Saint Brid’s Special National School
Saint Brid’s is a school in Castlebar, County Mayo catering for children aged 4-18 years.
Our pupils have special educational needs, described as moderate and severe to profound general learning disabilities. We have several classes which cater for our pupils who are on the Autism Spectrum.
The School is under the Patronage of the Western Care Association and was founded in 1967. It is managed by a voluntary Board of Management with representatives from our Patron Western Care Association, the Teaching Staff, Parents and the local Community.
The school has approximately 40 students across the primary and post primary classes.
Class Groups
We offer full-time placements in small classes (no more than six pupils per class). There are currently seven classes in St. Brid’s. Each class has a class teacher and two or three SNAs.
As well as a full academic curriculum, we offer a range of activities designed to enhance the individual’s whole development e.g. swimming, visits to local cafes and shops, bowling, outdoor recreation, personal development programmes etc.
Individual Education Plans
At Saint Brid’s we recognise that all students are individuals with unique gifts, strengths, and needs. This is why every student in Saint Brid’s has an Individual Education Plan (I.E.P.).
This is a written plan which documents the pupil’s goals and targets for the coming year, and the strategies which will be employed to enable the pupil to achieve these goals. Individual Education Plans may cover such areas as behaviour, independent living skills, reading, maths and communication targets.
Parents are invited to put forward their own suggestions and to consider ways in which they can support their child’s development.
Staff
As of the school year 2024/25 the school employs 7 Classroom Teachers and an Art Teacher.
There are 18 SNA's assigned throughout the classes.
We are also fortunate to have a Secretary and two full time Nurses.
Where possible, the school works closely with Enable Ireland, Western Care and the Child Development Team in Mayo to provide the best services possible to our pupils
School Transport
All of our pupils avail of free transport which is provided by the Department of Education. This service is operated in conjuction with St. Anthony’s Special Schhol (Castlebar). Each bus has a bus escort who travels with the pupils. The pupils are picked up and dropped off at their homes.
