Special Schools

What are Special Schools?

Special schools support children and young people with a greater complexity of special educational needs. Special schools are recognised national schools that provide primary and/or post-primary education for children and young people from 4 to 18 years. All special schools have a specific designation and a lower teacher-pupil ratio, specified according to a category of disability. This means that classes in a special school have smaller numbers of students.

To access a placement in a special school, a child or young person must have a professional report outlining the complexity of the student’s needs and a recommendation that a special school placement is required. A child or young person must have a diagnosis in line with the special school’s specific designation to access a placement.