School Plan

Our Aim

The school aims to make each student be as independent as they can be.

We do this by providing a secure, caring and supportive environment through the provision of a broad curriculum of social, personal, academic, sporting, vocational and relevant life-skills programmes.

Specialist Subjects and Teachers

Physical Education (PE)

Ms. Ahern is our PE teacher and she teaches PE, Active Leisure Studies and organises sports events. We all do a large amount of exercise.

Woodwork

Mr. McHugh is our Woodwork teacher and he teaches Materials Technology at Junior Certificate, Graphics and Construction Studies at Leaving Certificate Applied and lets students apply the skills needed for Learning for Living in the woodwork room.

Music

Ms. Murray teaches music to every class in the school. She runs our Junior Choir, our Senior Choir and a Chamber Choir and music plays a huge part in all our school celebrations and activities.

Home Economics

Ms. Doyle is our Home Economics teacher. This area is a very important part of the Learning for Living ethos of the school. As well as preparing for exams students learn how to cook and be safe in the kitchen.

Art

Ms. Anderson teaches art to all students at all levels developing fine motor skills and an appreciation for colour and beauty the same time.

Horticulture

Ms. O'Neill teaches this vital part of Learning for Living to our students. This allows them to taste healthy fresh organic food that they have grown in our poly-tunnel and garden area.

Science

Ms. Kirwan teaches science to our students in our Science lab. She uses a learning by experience model of education with lots of experiments.

Resource Teachers

Ms. Kelly, Ms. Cunningham, Ms. O'Leary and Ms. O'Donnell are the 4 resource teachers at the moment. They help out in all the classes across the school providing support for whole class, small groups and one to one learning.

Student Journey through School- How we work!

We have 133 students currently. Each class has between 10 and 12 students inclusive usually.

There are 2 classes per year (2 first years, 2 second years, 2 third years, 2 transition years, 2 Leaving Cert Applied classes and 2 Senior Cycle classes).

Classes are normally named with a number 1 (indicates first year) and a letter that identifies the class teacher. So 1H is Ms. Hegarty's first year class. Senior classes are named after the course and a Year 1 or 2 so LCA 1 (5th year) or LCA 2 (6th year) and Senior Cycle 1 and Senior Cycle 2 similarly (SC1 and SC2).

Each base class has a base teacher similar to a primary school model, who teaches the majority of subjects to that class and is first point of contact between the student/parent/family and the school.

Students generally stay for 6 years although the option of skipping Transition Year has been open to people in the past.

Courses on Offer

Curriculum Overview

Junior Cycle (JC)

The Junior Cycle caters to students in 1st–3rd year and includes revised subjects, short courses, and new approaches to assessment. Students complete Classroom-Based Assessments (CBAs) and receive a Junior Cycle Profile of Achievement (JCPA).

Explore the Junior Cycle Curriculum Hub and browse the full Junior Cycle Subjects List.

Examples of subject descriptors:

Transition Year (TY)

Transition Year is a one-year programme between Junior and Senior Cycle. It promotes maturity, independence, and personal development through experiential learning.

You can view the TY Curriculum Overview and the official TY Programme Statement (2025).
For planning and evaluation, check out the TY Reflection & Renewal Toolbox.

🎓 Senior Cycle (SC)

Senior Cycle includes multiple pathways:

Leaving Certificate Established (LCE)
Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme (LCVP)
Leaving Certificate Applied (LCA)
Level 1 & Level 2 Learning Programmes

Visit the Senior Cycle Curriculum Hub and explore the full Senior Cycle Curriculum Overview.

🧩 Level 2 Learning Programmes (L2LP)

L2LPs are designed for students with specific learning needs. They focus on key skills, literacy, numeracy, and personal development.

Learn more at the L2LP Curriculum Hub and explore the Senior Cycle L1 & L2 Learning Programmes.

Leaving Certificate Applied

The LCA aims to get young adults ready for work and/or further education. It is a 2 year course. There is a different way of passing your Leaving Cert and this is it. Lots of projects, interviews and tasks as well as exams.

Core Modules

Vocational Specialisms

Electives & General Education

Policies

School policies are the guiding principles and procedures that ensure a safe, respectful, and effective learning environment for all students and staff, outlining expectations for behaviour, attendance, assessment, and overall school operations. Find our published policies here.

Fitness Plus and School Self Evaluation

As part of our ongoing School Self-Evaluation process, Scoil Bernadette has chosen Fitness for Wellbeing as our current focus area, aiming to enhance students’ physical health, mental resilience, and overall engagement through targeted activities and reflective practice. Find out more about our SSE here.

Special Education Frameworks & Resources

Scoil Bernadette is committed to inclusive, student-centred education. Below are key national frameworks and support resources that guide our approach to teaching and learning:

National Frameworks

Inclusive Education Framework – NCSE
A comprehensive guide to inclusive practices for students with special educational needs. Includes downloadable resources for schools and educators.
Primary Curriculum Framework (2023) – NCCA
Outlines key principles and competencies for holistic learning. While designed for primary level, its inclusive ethos supports all educational settings.
Supporting Pupils and Students with SEN – Department of Education
Practical guidelines for supporting students with SEN in both mainstream and special schools.

Teaching & Learning Support

Teaching and Learning Resources – NCSE
Offers curriculum supports, IEP templates, transition planning tools, and autism-specific guidance for educators and SNAs.
Special Needs Education in Primary Schools – Citizens Information
Explains how special education is structured in Ireland, including resource allocation and policy documents.

SNA & Educator Development

SNA Support and Inspire – Resource Hub
A community-driven platform offering inclusive education tools, CPD webinars, wellness resources, and advocacy support for SNAs.

Additional Supports

AsIAm – Ireland’s Autism Charity
Provides toolkits, training, and advocacy resources to support autistic students and their families.
Education Support Centres Ireland (ESCI)
Offers professional development workshops and inclusive education training for teachers and school leaders.
Digital Strategy for Schools – Department of Education
Framework for integrating digital tools to enhance learning, particularly relevant for differentiated instruction in SEN contexts.

History

In May 1958 a decision was made by the Executive Committee of Cork Polio and General After-Care Association to establish a school for children who would nowadays be classified as children having a ‘mild general learning disability’ on a pilot basis.

Scoil Bernadette was born in an upstairs room at 133 Oliver Plunkett Street on May 28 1958 with 5 boys and 6 girls. Teaching was initially provided by members of the Brothers of Charity. Patrick Kiely was the first Principal and a second teacher was appointed in 1961. By 1961, enrolment was close to 50 and the waiting list was growing. In that year Scoil Bernadette moved to No. 9 Dyke Parade and enrolled only boys from that time on.

In 1971 Scoil Bernadette moved into their brand new custom designed school in Bonnington, Montenotte. The first principal retired in 1976 and was replaced by Pat Mooney. In 1985 the school changed from being a school for boys from 4 – 18 years of age to a co-educational school for students from 12 – 18 years of age. In September 1991, Don McAleese became Principal on Pat Mooney’s retirement, a post he held with distinction. Ita Teegan became the next permanent principal in 2009 and retired after much distinguished service in 2018. Don Golden has taken over the reins.

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