Applications for enrolment for the 2026/27 school year will soon be accepted. Applications will be processed and offers of places will be made in line with our Admissions Policies and Admissions Notices (please see last year's documents below for your reference). Updated documents and admissions applications closing dates will be posted to this page in the next few weeks.
Special Classes
The National Council for Special Education has asked us to advise parents of the new process for parents who are seeking a place for their child in a special class or special school for the 2026/27 school year. Please see the steps involved below:
The parents will need to provide supporting documents to show that their child meets the eligibility criteria for placement in a special class/special school (see below for eligibility criteria).
The NCSE will review the information provided to determine whether the child meets the criteria.
If they do, parents will be issued with an eligibility letter. The letter is required when applying to special classes or schools.
Obtaining the eligibility letter is a pre-requisite to applying to individual schools for a place. Parents are advised to check the applications process of the individual schools to which they wish to apply, and ensure that they submit an application prior to each school's deadline for accepting applications for the 2026/27 school year.
This process is outlined in the Department of Education circular 0039/2025.
Eligibility criteria for placement in special class/special school:
Children and young people are eligible for enrolment in a special class for autism when the following is provided in support of such an application - professional report(s) outlining:
Diagnosis of Autism: DSM IV/V or ICD 10/11 (psychologist, psychiatrist, multi-disciplinary report)
AND
Demonstration of the understanding of complexity of the child’s overall level of need/s evidenced in the professional reports
AND
Given the severity or complexity of the child’s support needs, a clear professional recommendation as to what educational placement type would be most appropriate to best meet the child’s needs, along with the rationale for same
AND
A letter from the NCSE confirming that the child is known to them and that the child has the required diagnosis and recommendation for a special class for autism.
Parents who have any difficulty using the form can email parentsnotify@ncse.ie or telephone the support line at 01-6033346.
To make an application for both mainstream and special classes: The link for submitting an online application will be published here when we begin to accept applications for the 2026/27 school year.
Please find copies below of the relevant documents in respect of both our mainstream and special classes:
