Rural school embraces special needs

DEVELOPMENT Pictured at the signing of the documents for the Sunbeams development at Killeens NS were, back, from left: Pat Grady, Architect; Padraic McNamara, Board of Management; James Langan, Consultant Engineer. Front, from left:  Bríd Grady, Principal; Declan Moran, Contractor, Loumoy Construction; James Egan, Chairperson, Board of Management and Barbara O’Grady, Deputy Principal.

Áine Ryan

IN some circles it may be deemed as among the country’s most rural and remote but Killeen National School is pioneering in its ethos of inclusivity as it fundraises for a multi-disabilities class and other whole-school facilities. The ‘Sunbeams’ project will include an extension and major refurbishment to the existing school, culminating in a state-of-the art facility for both abled and disabled pupils, their teachers and the wider community. Distinctive aspects will be its multi-sensory room and sensory garden. It will also encompass a new office, storage facilities, toilets and changing areas, as well as the multi-disabilities class. The sensory room will have padded walls with high safety standards and various sensory stimulants.
      
Amalgamation
ESTABLISHED in 1975 as an amalgamation of Carrowniskey, Killadoon and Thallabawn national schools, Killeen NS has 76 pupils, three mainstream teachers (including the Principal), a Learning Support teacher, a shared Resource teacher and a Special class teacher.  Speaking to The Mayo News last week, Principal,  Bríd Grady explained that the Department of Education has allocated a grant of €180,000 for the project, which leaves a shortfall of circa €120,000. This must be raised now through various fundraising initiatives organised by a dedicated committee.
 “It is a big challenge which we are embracing wholeheartedly. Our Board of Management is very positive and believes we can do it, partly because we have such a strong staff and community behind us,” Bríd Grady said.
A key driver of the whole innovative project from the outset was ‘our teacher, Sarah Billington, who is on a career break at the moment’, said Ms Grady.
“We feel great pride in our inclusive ethos here at Killeen NS and our specially built suite will cater for the needs of children in the special class and across mainstream classes too. The opening of Sunbeams, our multi-disabilities class, is a very positive and progressive step for our school. Our pupils in this class will benefit from an enriched learning environment and a curriculum which addresses their specific needs, thus allowing children with a range of disabilities, who would otherwise have to travel long distances to remain within and play an active part in their own community,” she continued.
With the nearest Special Needs schools in county town, Castlebar, the staff at Killeen NS would welcome more special pupils from the general area as the new facility will accommodate up to six pupils, with a bus and escort available also.
 
Special Education
FOLLOWING a lengthy consultation with the NCSE (National Council for Special Education) Killeen NS established a special class in September 2015, within its existing facilities.
“However, operating out of one of the existing mainstream classrooms, it quickly became apparent how unsuitable it was. In terms of equipment and space, it didn’t meet our needs at all. We went back to the Department of Education and fortunately, secured a grant to build an extension. This grant is most welcome as it means we will now have an up- to-date special needs suite, including multi-sensory room, office, learning support and resource rooms. However, there are a number of essential adjustments that need to be made to the interior of the school in order to address whole school needs. Therefore, there is a significant shortfall between the grant received from the Department of Education and the cost of the building work necessary to upgrade the facilities at the school,” Bríd Grady explains.

Fundraising
AMONG the fundraising initiatives will be a gala fashion extravaganza in the Castlecourt Hotel, Westport, on Wednesday, November 2.  
Donations to the project may be made at www.gofundme.com/killeenschool, call  098 68651 or email killeenns2@gmail.com, www.killeenns.com.