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In-School Management Team (ISM)
Principal - Sarah McGinley Deputy Principal - Patrick Ruane Assistant Principal II - Jane Hanniffy Laura Maher Yvonne O'Grady Louise Cahill Board of Management (BOM)
Cliona Geoghegan Sarah McGinley Aoife Hall Annalore Herbert Dee Timoney Eoin Daly Mike Cubbard Frances Daly |
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Our History
St Joseph’s Special School was officially recognised by the Department of Education in January 1964. The school was established by the then newly formed voluntary organisation The Galway County Association for Mentally Handicapped Children (now Ability West) in response to a clear need to provide education for children and adolescents who were not being adequately supported within the state system.
The school first opened in rented accommodation on Newcastle Road, before moving to prefabricated buildings in Snipe Avenue, pictured here. As the school continued to grow, it operated in temporary accommodation for many years.
Following a long and determined campaign by families, staff and supporters, a new purpose-built school was finally constructed on Thomas Hynes Road in 1993. Today, St Joseph’s is a modern, spacious and welcoming school, designed to meet the diverse needs of our pupils in a warm, safe and supportive environment.
The school first opened in rented accommodation on Newcastle Road, before moving to prefabricated buildings in Snipe Avenue, pictured here. As the school continued to grow, it operated in temporary accommodation for many years.
Following a long and determined campaign by families, staff and supporters, a new purpose-built school was finally constructed on Thomas Hynes Road in 1993. Today, St Joseph’s is a modern, spacious and welcoming school, designed to meet the diverse needs of our pupils in a warm, safe and supportive environment.
A Special School Community
St Joseph’s is a special school in every sense of the word. We currently support over 80 pupils with additional needs, and our school is a place where students, families, staff and the wider community come together each day to nurture growth, learning and independence.
We deliver up-to-date, teacher-led educational programmes across both junior and senior cycles, guided by current research and best practice in special and inclusive education. Learning is supported by a dedicated team of teachers and Special Needs Assistants, working together to create structured, meaningful and engaging learning experiences for every pupil.
Our work is strengthened by a committed team of ancillary staff, including office staff, our school nurse, kitchen staff, and cleaning and maintenance teams, all of whom play an essential role in the life of the school.
We deliver up-to-date, teacher-led educational programmes across both junior and senior cycles, guided by current research and best practice in special and inclusive education. Learning is supported by a dedicated team of teachers and Special Needs Assistants, working together to create structured, meaningful and engaging learning experiences for every pupil.
Our work is strengthened by a committed team of ancillary staff, including office staff, our school nurse, kitchen staff, and cleaning and maintenance teams, all of whom play an essential role in the life of the school.
Partnerships, Volunteers & Support
We are fortunate to have a wonderful community of bus escorts and drivers, who ensure our pupils travel safely and happily to and from school each day.
Our volunteers play a valued role, particularly in supporting our swimming programme, and we are always grateful for new volunteers who wish to contribute to school life.
We also welcome Transition Year students from Coláiste Iognáid (the Jes), whose involvement in swimming and art activities has a positive and meaningful impact on our pupils.
Above all, we are proud of our strong partnership with our parents and families, whose ongoing support, gratitude and connection to the school, both during and long after their child’s time here, continues to inspire our work.
Our volunteers play a valued role, particularly in supporting our swimming programme, and we are always grateful for new volunteers who wish to contribute to school life.
We also welcome Transition Year students from Coláiste Iognáid (the Jes), whose involvement in swimming and art activities has a positive and meaningful impact on our pupils.
Above all, we are proud of our strong partnership with our parents and families, whose ongoing support, gratitude and connection to the school, both during and long after their child’s time here, continues to inspire our work.
