School inspectors warn special class policies may block access for children with highest needs
08 May 2025
School inspectors have raised the alarm over “concerning” admission policies that have the power to prevent children with the greatest level of need accessing places in special classes.
The Department of Education’s Inspectorate found issue with almost all admission policies used by a selection of mainstream schools to determine entry to their special classes. It examined the policies of 15 primary and 15 post-primary schools.
It is feared wording and clauses used by many could limit access to education for autistic students, in contravention of their legal rights to an appropriate education.
Pusblished in The Irish Examiner, 8th May 2025