Services

Stewarts School

Misson Statement

We aim to enable our students to reach their full potential and to become valued and active members within our society. We endeavour to answer the individual needs of our students by using a variety of evidence based teaching strategies across a broad and balanced curriculum.

With Stewarts Care Ltd as its Patron Stewarts School aims:

• To provide a broad curriculum using a range of teaching strategies which will encourage and facilitate the overall development of each student to his/her full potential.
• To focus positively on the abilities and strengths of each student while recognising and supporting areas of need.
• To create an atmosphere of mutual respect in an environment where students can interact in a free and secure manner and where positive relationships with others can be fostered and maintained.
• To initiate and encourage innovative approaches and projects through on-going staff training and development.
• To develop links as much as possible with other primary and post-primary schools.
• To provide an advisory and support service for parents and carers and to actively promote real involvement in the life of the school.

School Profile

Stewarts School caters for students with moderate, severe and profound general learning difficulties. Some students also present with additional needs including, physical, behavioral, sensorial and autistic spectrum disorder.

There are over 120 students attending Stewarts School. Students range in age from four to eighteen years. . Our catchment area spans Inchicore, Walkinstown, Templeogue, Tallaght, Saggart, Ballyfermot, Palmerstown, Clondalkin and Lucan.

The school is located on the campus of Stewarts. Due to increased student numbers the school is presently sited in 3 buildings on the main campus. The Department of Education and Science has sanctioned a new school building to be located on a site in Balgaddy, Lucan South. This project is currently at the design stage.

The Board of Management of Stewarts School is constituted in line with Department of Education and Science Guidelines and aims to:

• Reflect and promote participation and partnership in the running of the school among the school stakeholders
• Support and uphold the ethos of the school
• Promote commitment by parents to the affairs of the school and the forthcoming of an effective parent's association
• Adapt a positive policy of communication and transparency in relation to Board business.

School Staff

22 teachers including administrative principal
1 Part time teacher (Home Economics)
2 Nurses
46 Special Needs Assistants
Catering Staff
School secretary
Bus escorts

Clinic Team

The school is provided with the following clinical services from Stewarts:

• Psychology, Social Work, Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy, Speech and Language Therapy, Child Psychiatry and Dietician.
• Family Support and Respite Programmes are also available.

School Curriculum

Throughout the school, the Primary School Curriculum is implemented in conjunction with the Guidelines for Teachers of Students with General Learning Difficulties. Much emphasis is placed on the development of Language and Communication Skills. LAMH and Pictorial Communication Systems are used in conjunction with the spoken word. The development of social/life skills is also an important aspect of our programmes.

Curriculum areas include:

• Language and Communication
• Reading and Writing
• Mathematics
• Social, Personal and Health Education (SPHE)
• Social Environmental and Scientific Education (SESE)
• Physical Education including swimming
• Visual Arts
• Music and Drama
• ICT

The school is registered as a FETAC centre and provides opportunities for some of our senior students to participate in Information Technology and Food and Nutrition modules, leading to certification.

Individual programmes are drawn up in consultation with the multidisciplinary team to help support students presenting with challenging behaviours. The school uses a positive behaviour support approach to the management of students who sometimes present with challenging behaviours. Behaviour Support Plans (BSPs) are now developed and implemented with the support of the school clinic team to support individual students whose behaviours may otherwise prevent them from participating in the curriculum. This approach permeates our approach to behavioural issues throughout the school

Other activities include sports events, Special Olympics, trips out of school (playgrounds, theatre, cinema, Mcdonalds, farm, etc) and religious ceremonies.

From School to Adult Services

Students leaving Stewarts school participate in a ‘work sampling programme’ in their final school year, prior to a decision being made as to their most suitable after school placement. This decision is made following consultations between students, parents, school staff, the clinic team and the adult service team.

Places are usually available to school leavers in Stewarts Adult Day Services. Present adult facilities include

• Activation programmes
• Adult education programmes
• RCTEC Training Centre (training centre/ supported employment)
• Restaurants/ Craft shops Horticulture/ Grounds