School Provision:
Scoil Triest was built in 1998, catering for a maximum of 72 children who have a diagnosis of autism and learning disability. The school is comprised of 12 classrooms with provision for 6 students in each. Each class has one teacher and at least two special needs assistants. Most classes have an additional special needs assistant to cater for the particular needs of the children in that class. Art & Craft Rooms are located in a separate building within walking distance of the school.
Enrolment:
Students enrolled in the school are required to present with a moderate or higher cognitive level of ability. Students must have attained age 12 by September 1st of their initial school year. The school leaving age is 18. Students who are 18 on or before 31st August are required to transfer to post school services.
The school is multi-denominational but also accepts children from families who do not subscribe to any particular religious denomination.
The school enrols students who reside in the Health Service Executive, Southern Region. The vast majority of students live at home with their families. The distance a student can reasonably cope with travelling to and from school normally determines the limits of our catchment area.
Transport Provisions:
Free special transport is provided for students by contractors recruited by Bus Eireann who in turn are funded by the Department of Education and Skills. All routes have the service of a bus escort. Parents should check with school Principal regarding this service.
Parental Involvement:
The school believes that school staff working in close partnership with the parents contributes significantly to the student’s progress in school. It is recognised that the parents have a very comprehensive understanding and knowledge of their own child and because of this should be consulted during the development of any educational or behaviour management plans for the student.
The parents should be kept informed by the school employees of all matters relating to their child’s programme and progress and should also be consulted in relation to any school development which impacts on their child’s education.
The following structures are in place to promote Parent /Teacher partnership.
- Information evening
- Newsletter
- Weekly home school notebook
- Annual I.E.P. meetings involving parents, teacher and available multi-disciplinary members
- Parents / Teacher meetings once yearly
- Parent representations on committee / Boards e.g. Board of Management, working parties and sub committees of the Board of Management.
- When a child is enrolled in the school parents are issued with the names and details of parents serving on the various bodies.
There is also an ‘open door’ Policy in relation to parents of students enrolled in Scoil Triest visiting the school. To avoid disappointment, it is advisable to make an appointment with relevant staff.
The school also has an active and supportive Parents and Friends Association which both fundraises and advocates for improved services for the pupils.
Parents may put items on the agenda of the Board of Management meetings through their parents representatives or by writing directly to the school manager.
School Uniform:
The school uniform is a navy fleece jacket with school crest and a blue polo shirt.
Students have the option of wearing navy jeans or trousers. Tracksuits should be worn on P.E. days. Uniforms can be purchased from McCarthy Sportworld, Glanmire, Co. Cork. Tel; 021/4866134
School Accommodation:
There are twelve classroom bases in the school. Additional classrooms which are used for Art & Craft are located within walking distance of the main school building. Two pre-fabs are located adjacent to Junior Classes and these are used as individual teaching spaces.
An additional pre-fab situated to the rear of the main school building is also used for one to one teaching and lifeskills activities.
Other Accommodation consists of
- Secretary’s office
- Principal’s office
- Multi-disciplinary Office
- Sensory room
- Sensory integration room
- 2 resource rooms
- Home Economics Room
- Staff Room
- Games Room
External Facilities:
There is a large hard-court area at the rear of the school designed for physical recreation, bike / scooter riding, games etc. This area also contains a games room and storage space. An outdoor gardening area is used for horticulture activities. There is also an extensive sensory garden in the school yard. There are two playgrounds to the front of the school which are equipped with play equipment and gym equipment which supports the sensory needs of the students.
G.P. Hall:
The General Purpose hall is situated in the centre of the school and is used for P.E. Music, Assembly, etc. We also use the hall for conferences and seminars.
Staff:
Breakdown of staff including Multi-disciplinary support clinicians.
- 13 permanent teachers including Administrative Principal
- 1 part time horticulture teacher
- 1 part time craft teacher
- 1 part time visual arts teacher
- 1 part time P.E. Teacher
- 1 part time Home Economics Teacher
- 35 Special Needs Assistants
- 1 part time Music Therapist
- 2 part time school secretaries
Multi-Disciplinary Intervention in Scoil Triest.
Members of a multi-disciplinary team are present in Scoil Triest at certain times each week.
SPEECH AND LANGUAGE THERAPY
The SLT service promotes a Total Communication Approach across the school to foster an environment that supports students to understand communication and be understood. Individual children may be referred to a speech & language therapist for advice on communication and/or on eating, drinking and swallowing needs.
PSYCHOLOGY
Children may be referred to a psychologist for advice on behaviour management, individualisation of the curriculum and assessment to plan for future needs.
OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY
Children may be referred to an occupational therapist for advice on positioning and seating, activities for daily life, fine motor skills and sensory integration.
PHYSIOTHERAPY
Children may be referred to a physiotherapist for advice on walking, gross motor skills and orthotics.
SOCIAL WORK
Parents / school staff may make referrals to the Children’s Social Work Forum
Referral forms can be completed by parents, teachers or other MDT members. In the case of a teacher or MDT member making a referral, the form will be sent home to be co-signed by a parent/carer.
Referral forms for each discipline are available from the school office.
Class Groups
There are usually 6 students in each base class, however, occasionally we may have seven in one class group balanced out with five in another. This allows for the fact that some students have greater space requirements or higher support requirements than others.
Matching of Students:
When organising class groups the Principal, in consultation with the staff, makes every effort to ensure that the students are matched in such a way as to maximise their potential for learning.
Variables which are considered include age, staffing levels, behaviour, peer friendships / conflict, independence levels, curricular implications and many others.
Curriculum Content and Organisation
The school offers a broad and balanced curriculum, taking account on the individual strengths and needs of each child. Junior Certificate Level 1 and Level 2 form the basis for the development of complete Individual Education Programme for each student.
Our aim is to promote and foster learning in the following areas.
- Communication
- Social Competence e.g. interaction, organisation, independence learning skills.
- Behaviour
- Cognitive Development – Perceptual / Academic development
- Personal care
- Personal Independence
- Motor Skills
- Moral and Religious education
- Creative expression
- Sensory Regulation