History of the ASD Unit

The Bridgetown College ASD Programme was established with one classroom in September 2009 and in September 2010 a second classroom was opened. Due to predicted need in the area, a new building was completed in April 2015. Finally, in 2017, our 3rd class was opened giving us a capacity to cater for 18 students.

Our Philosophy

The development of the Bridgetown College ASD Programme is based on the philosophy of educational inclusion, where students with specialised needs receive their education within the least restrictive setting of the school’s mainstream classrooms and activities.

At the same time, students in the ASD Programme can access the Green Building for curricular support classes, social outings & classes unique to the ASD Programme focusing on each student’s own strengths and needs.

What We Provide

In the Bridgetown ASD Programme we provide the opportunity for all of our students to achieve the greatest level of meaningful independence, whilst at the same time catering for their educational needs.

Classes take the form of individualised support to mainstream inclusion. The Green Building classes involve curricular support and also classes unique to the ASD
Programme.

These unique classes include:

  • Communication & Organisational Skills
  • Numeracy & Literacy
  • Social Skills
  • Personal Care & Problem solving
  • Living in the Community
  • Preparation for Work & Third Level
  • Emotional Intelligence Skills
  • Social Outings into the wider community
  • Individualised Planning
  • Students’ progress is kept under regular review

Students in special classes have a detailed support plan setting out clear goals and strategies to meet their diverse needs, in line with the NEPS Continuum of Support Guidelines. Support plans are based on a detailed assessment of individual needs. They include key independence and communication goals designed to facilitate students’ inclusion in mainstream classes to the greatest possible extent, and/or a return to mainstream placement, where feasible.

We teach a wide range of students from those looking to pursue state examinations (Junior Certificate, Junior Certificate Schools Programme, the new Junior Certificate Level Two Award Leaving Cert Applied and Leaving Certificate), to those focusing on personal skills aimed at increasing their quality of life, independence and life skills once they graduate from Bridgetown College.

Provision for students with special educational needs includes team-teaching, one-to-one tuition, small group tuition and reduced class size in English and Maths (where feasible). We also provide support for ASD students in our purpose built three classroom building. Our SEN Support teachers work closely with students, their parents/guardians, other teachers, the SENO, educational psychologists and other professionals and agencies. Ms Siobhan Maguire coordinates mainstream SEN and Mr Robert Healy coordinates provision for the ASD students.

SEN Team

Link to Staff Page

Ms Siobhan Maguire,

Ms Valerie Walker,

Mr Bob Healy,

SEN Coordinators 

Enrolment Policy

Silent Video Link

Sound Video Link

Sensory Processing

Past Pupil Progression

Application forms

Applications are only accepted for current 6th class students, that fulfil the requirements laid out in our enrolment policy.

Forms will be available from reception and this website.

Information for Parents/Guardians of Children and Young People with Autism Spectrum Disorder
An Irish version of this pamphlet is available here

Information for Parents/Guardians of Children and Young People with Emotional and/or Behavioural Difficulties or Disorders
An Irish version of this pamphlet is available here

Read more about the

Home Based Summer Programme for 2023

by clicking on the title above

 

Where the number of available school staff is not sufficient to cover the number of applications for support under the programme, it is requested that schools provide information on other teachers and SNAs who are known to them who might be in a position to assist the family.

To help parents source a teacher/SNA for the summer programme in their local area, the IPPN has created a Summer Programme Noticeboard for teachers and SNAs to advertise their availability for the programme. Parents can also post notices on the board to source suitable candidates. The Summer Programme Noticeboard is available on www.educationposts.ie.

Download the Application Form