Inclusive Schools: Ireland January

Inclusion: Aim of our Erasmus + Project The objective of our DIRES is to develop a European educational partnership between the 6 participating organisations which focuses on inclusion for SEN students. We aim to include and encourage students with SEN to participate in activities and mobilities offered by the project The project is inclusive also of mainstream students. The project will help mainstream students to have respect and empathy for SEN students. It will also help to overcome any fears of differences. 2

Inclusion: Our School Day-to-Day ASD – Support teacher Classes in Mainstream school – Woodwork class at local Mainstream Secondary School All students involved in all activities – sport, music and academic IEP- Individual Educational Programme- caters for individual learning and so a student can reach their full potential School structure allows for Inclusiveness 3

Our School Structure: Special School Our school caters for students with MGDLD. We also provide inclusion for 24 students with ASD. We differentiate the mainstream curriculum offering state exams at mainstream and Special Education level. We have a support teacher that provides both social and life skills instruction to aid the ASD students in their independent and academic life. Mild General Learning Disabilities Students aged 4yrs – 18 yrs. Inclusive of Autistic Spectrum Disorder/ Sensory Needs Staff: Principal 11Class Teachers 12 Special Needs Assistants 1 Support Teacher for ASD Part Time Cookery & Part Time ART Teacher Pre School Class (J1) Junior School Middle School Senior School Adapted Main Stream Curriculum Social Skills Training Junior Certificate State Exams Class Size 11:1 1 SNA per Class Volunteers Extra Curricula Horse Riding School Trips Life Skills Trips Swimming Sports Tournaments All Ireland winning Choir Guitar Lessons 4

Inclusion during the LTT in Ireland 5 Activities for all students Horse riding and visit to Johnstown Castle Visit to the sensory garden, Carlow Activity workshops: circus skills, music, jewellery making, football and Hurling European cooking: Shopping, choosing, cooking and tasting Cultural evening: singing and dancing

LTT: Impact – Student responses ChilledEpicperfectGood ExcitingFunExcellentBrilliant BusyCheerfulFantasticInteresting HappyGood moodCoolfriendly 1.Keywords used by students to describe the atmosphere in the school 2. Chart shows the most popular responses to the question: What did you gain from this experience

Inclusion: The community Our lady of Fatima School is part of the local community Local businesses involved – providing services, they also provide work-experience during Senior Cycle Local schools, educators, local political representatives – invited to launch of DIRES Erasmus + project and other in school events e.g. Amnesty International Coffee Morning All “neighbours” invited to Press conference Local amenities used (Pool, sports grounds etc.) Local schools invited and attend – Christmas market, fashion show, in-school competitions Students involved in Credit Union Art competition Special Olympics – students train locally and represent their county and country Diocesan Easter trip to Lourdes – annual event 7

Inclusion: The Future Our School – Junior 2 cycle – new programme – one area it focuses on is “Living in the Community” – We will use the project to develop this topic. A hope or vision: Students – classes in mainstream schools and vice - versa Cookbook: creation and production of an accessible visual multicultural cookbook which all students can follow independently. We hope to promote this book and make it accessible to all people in our respective communities and countries 8