6 New Special Classes Allocated At Wicklow Schools

209 new special education classes have been sanctioned by the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) for the upcoming 2025/2026 school year including 6 in County Wicklow.

The schools that are set to benefit from new classes are:

• St Brigid's National School in Greystones
• St Mary's Junior School in Blessington          
• PADRAIG NFTA AVOCA in Arklow 
• Greystones Community National School in Greystones
• St David's Holy Faith Secondary in Greystones

Presentation College Bray will also open their first Autism-specific class in August 2025 ahead of the school year 2025/26 allowing 6 students to engage with their vibrant school community.

The newly approved special classes come as part of a broader initiative to increase the availability of specialised educational support for students with special educational needs.

Speaking today Simon Harris said:

“I am thrilled to see that 5 new special classes have been confirmed for the 2025/2026 school year in County Wicklow, including 3 in my hometown of Greystones.

“These new special schools will be confirmed in the coming months as the NCSE continues to engage intensively with school patron bodies.

The next step in the process is for schools to begin their admission processes for the upcoming school year.

“I am encouraging schools to move quickly with their admission processes and I know Minister Helen McEntee has asked the NCSE to collaborate with schools to ensure they are ready to offer places to students in the coming weeks.”