Cork special school planned to cut student days amid ‘critical’ staffing crisis

St Gabriel’s Special School in Bishopstown says an SNA shortage has created unsafe conditions

St. Gabriel's Special School caters to students aged four to 18 with severe intellectual disabilities, including those with autism and complex needs. Picture: Denise Minihane

A Cork special school had planned to put students on reduced timetables from Monday due to critical staff shortages, it has emerged.

The move by St Gabriel's Special School in Bishopstown only paused at the last minute after last ditch "meaningful" engagement with the Department of Education and National Council for Special Education (NCSE).

The board of management informed parents on Friday that it would no longer have to implement the emergency measures from Monday.

They would have seen students attend school for either three or four days a week depending on their needs.

The withdrawal of the measures is with the understanding that the NCSE will have a team in the school on Tuesday to begin supporting it with a full review of staffing needs.

The school is for students between the ages of four to 18 with severe intellectual disabilities, and those within that category with autism and complex needs.

It is understood the staffing shortage relates to the number of Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) at the school.

“Despite the school’s best efforts, current staffing levels are insufficient to safely support all pupils with intensive care and supervision needs,” St Gabriels board of management told parents in a message sent on Thursday night.

In recent weeks, several serious incidents have occurred within the school, it told parents.

“These include episodes of crisis behaviour resulting in injury to staff and pupils, instances of pupils absconding from supervision, instances of seclusion and withdrawal (which are not allowable under current Department of Education guidelines), and situations requiring emergency medical intervention.

“These events have placed significant strain on the school’s limited resources and have underscored the critical importance of maintaining safe staff-to-pupil ratios."

The school must remain in full compliance with Department of Education guidelines on supporting pupils with crisis behaviours, it added.

“Unfortunately, this is not safely possible under the current staffing model, and the temporary schedule is a direct response to these risks.” 

The temporary scheme would have allowed the school leadership to “shift focus from reactive crisis management to proactive school operations, including individual pupil support meetings, planning, and coordination—essential components of a safe and effective learning environment.” 

A spokesperson for the Department of Education said it and the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) are aware of recent developments at St Gabriel's Special School.

"Following engagement from the Department and NCSE with the school today, the school has confirmed that it will now be fully open from Monday. They are contacting all parents to let them know this afternoon.

"The Department and the NCSE will continue to engage with and support St Gabriel’s special school to ensure that they can meet the needs of all the children in the school."