special needs

Designated School To Integrate Students With Physical Disability

B.C.S. is widely recognised for its successful integration of students with a physical disability. As one of three Secondary Schools in Ireland, specially designated by the Department of Education, it has been in operation since 1975 and has a Special Resource Staff of two Resource Teachers, two Nurses Aides and a Care Assistant. The catchment area for students with disabilities is the entire South side of Dublin.

The average number of "disabled" students attending B.C.S. is 20 to 25. The philosophy of the school is "Integration". Rather than having a "Special Class", students are fully integrated into mainstream classes and the mainstream life of school. They are then withdrawn from a particular subject or subjects for additional support such as tuition or rest-period. All students progress to either Junior Certificate or Leaving Certificate. The most common disabilities which are accommodated are ; Cerebral Palsy, Spina Bifida, Friedreich Ataxia and Muscular Dystrophy.

Special Facilities include: A Resource Room with computer facilities, a sick bay, a Special Home Economics Kitchen, adapted toilets, a shower and some adapted class-rooms and fittings. Our state of the art computer facilities in the resource area include a network and laptops, printers, scanner, and Internet connection. Students study Information Technology as well as using the equipment to produce schoolwork for other subjects, learn about Assistive Technology and pursue leisure-time activities.

Most importantly the school is on ground level and wheelchair accessible.