ASD breakthrough for Nenagh school

Secondary education for boys with autism to commence at CBS in September

There is a great sense of excitement at Nenagh CBS following confirmation that two ASD classrooms are to be created at the secondary school.

The classrooms are to be onsite and ready to accommodate 12 boys with autistic spectrum disorder when the next school term commences this September. They will effectively double the ASD provision for second level students in the town, augmenting that already in place at Nenagh College.

CBS management was due to meet with an architect last week to find the most suitable location on the grounds for the two new classrooms. “We do know at this stage it will most likely be modular units of accommodation,” said Principal Karen O'Donnell.

“That is what has been recommended by the National Council for Special Education and ourselves based on a review of the site as it stands. The next phase now is to see where exactly it will be located.”

Ms O'Donnell said she and all at the school were delighted to receive approval this month from the Department of Education for the ASD classes. The news - which coincided nicely with the school's open day - represented a breakthrough in a campaign that began in 2020 when the board of management contacted the NCSE expressing interest in providing these classes in response to local need.

The pandemic was one of a number of factors that slowed down the process. So too was the department's tendency to favour co-ed schools for ASD education, but the management of Nenagh CBS maintained its campaign to achieve this significant milestone in 2025.

ANXIOUS PARENTS

Despite the opening of almost 1,700 new special classes in the last five years, there remains an increasing need for special class places across Ireland, particularly at post-primary level. The Nenagh area is a case in point.

“Lots of primary schools in our locality have classes for students with autism, which is fantastic,” Ms O'Donnell said. “But parents were very anxious because, as those kids worked up through the system, it was clear that there was not enough provision in the town.

“We have worked very closely with the NCSE and the SENO for the locality in getting the sanction for the classes. We've also been liaising with the A-Team.

“We know there are a lot of very anxious parents in the locality who obviously are looking for provision for their children, and specifically their sons in our case. We were delighted to be able to meet with representatives of the A-Team last autumn and reassure them of the school's position and what we were advocating for.”

Deputy Principal Dermot Brislane spoke of the positive relationship between primary school principals in the Nenagh area. They engaged with the CBS principals, and both he and Ms O'Donnell could see the need arising for further ASD education at second level in Nenagh.

“We're both local,” Mr Brislane said. “We both live in the community. We know the people, we listen to what the people are saying and that was one of reasons why back in 2020 we looked to be able to provide this.

“When the sanction came, it was great news. It was a sense of relief and excitement about what the next six to eight months are going to bring.

“It's exciting for families and for us meeting families saying they've heard the news and seeing their joy.”

EXPANDING SCHOOL

The 12 boys from the locality that will be able to move into the new classes in September may include some from the CBS' existing school community. The Nenagh secondary school is one of the few remaining that still has a dedicated class for students with Mild General Learning Difficulties (MGLD). Attended over the years by boys from the Roscrea and Limerick areas as well as Nenagh, it has been in place since the 1980s and will continue to operate in the years ahead.

They will all form part of a growing community at the CBS secondary school, which this year grew to some 714 pupils. Exceeding the 700-pupil threshold will grant the school a second deputy principal from next September as well.

Recent developments at the school included the opening of a five-classroom extension in 2022. The monastery building, which was gifted back to the school by the Christian Brothers, is being used to supplement teaching and learning space.

Ms O'Donnell said last week's meeting with the architect would also involve looking at ways of increasing the school accommodation in a general sense.

“We're all the time looking to develop and make the most of what we have,” she said, adding that the CBS would in time like to expand its offering for students with autism all the more.

“We're starting with two classes but we are very open to future provision going forward as well, so we're bearing that in mind with the planning we're doing now. We're future-proofing as best we can.”

GETTING READY

For now, the focus is very much on getting the new ASD rooms up and running for September.

The structural work will be fully funded by the Dept of Education, while the school is eligible for a grant for the furnishing and fit-out.

Praising the board of management members for their support from the beginning, Ms O'Donnell said a working group of staff was established last month in anticipation of the classroom announcement.

Two staff members are presently completing a post-graduate diploma in special needs with particular focus on autism.

The CBS principal said her staff in general are upskilling with specific regard to ASD education, while she and Mr Brislane are attending continual professional development courses around the management and organisation of a school that has been part of the AsIAm autism-friendly schools scheme for the last number of years.

“We're very much getting the school community prepared because it is very much a community piece,” Ms O'Donnell said in looking forward to opening yet another positive chapter in the CBS story.