Please see our Admissions notice for 2026/2027 school year by clicking link  Admission Notice 

Important Dates to note 

The school will commence accepting applications for admission on Oct 13th 2025

The school shall cease accepting applications for admission on Jan 31st 2026

Our Admissions Policy  has been updated in accordance with Circular 39/2025.

St. Paul’s School caters for pupils with Moderate and Severe/Profound Intellectual Disabilities.  If you would like to apply for a place for your child please refer to  the Admissions Policy above.

You can Download the Application form here 

PLEASE POST COMPLETED APPLICATION FORM ASWELL AS ALL DOCUMENTS LISTED BELOW TO THE PRINCIPAL, ST. PAUL’S SCHOOL, BEECH HILL, MONTENOTTE, CORK T23 P529

Documentation needed for application

  • Application form
  • Psychological assessment dated within 2 years for children under 7 years of age, within 4 years from the date of application for all others with a diagnosis within the moderate or severe/profound Intellectual disability range.
  • A letter from the SENO
  • Birth certificate
  • Declaration of all pre existing health conditions by a medical practitioner
  • Reports from previous school/child care settings as appropriate

The completion of an application form and the subsequent placement of a child’s name on any list does not confer an automatic right to a place in the school.

Please note places cannot be held from year to year. If a place is offered and refused, the offer is invalidated and the place must be applied for again.

While recognising the right of parents/guardians to enrol their child in the school of their choice, the Board of Management of the School is also responsible to respect the rights of the existing school pupils. This requires balanced judgements, which are guided by the principles of natural justice and acting in the best interest of all children. Assisting the school in such circumstances, the Board of Management reserves the right to determine the maximum number of pupils in each separate classroom bearing in mind:

  • Size of / available space in each classrooms
  • Environmental / Sensory needs of the enrolled pupils
  • Health & Safety issues Each class grouping will be given careful consideration to optimise the individual’s opportunities for quality learning by having the correct number of pupils and supporting staff in each classroom.

The Committee will meet during the school year as required and will make its recommendation(s) on admission(s) to the Board. Notification of the decision of the Board will be sent to parents/guardians within 7 days. The School’s Admission Committee (the “Committee”) comprising of the principal, deputy principal, school nurse and at least one member of the multi-disciplinary team, will consider each application for admission and make a recommendation to the Board. The Board makes the final decision with regard to the offering of places to prospective pupils seeking admission. Every effort is made to provide parents/guardians with a speedy response to requests for admission. The Board and the Committee will be guided by the principles of natural justice and will endeavour to be reasonable, fair and transparent.

Parents/Guardians of unsuccessful applicants will be informed in writing of the reason why their application for admission has been refused and of their right to appeal the decision under Section 29 of the 1998 Act, as amended by Section 26 of the Education (Welfare) Act 2000 (the “2000 Act”). Appeals may be made on the Appeals Application Form, available from the School on request, within 42 calendar days from the date the decision of the Board was notified to the parents/guardians. The form is also available on the Department’s website at www.irlgov.ie/educ. The Admissions Committee also has the right of appeal.

Occasionally, post-admission, concerns regarding the suitability of a pupil’s placement may arise and a review of the School’s ability to meet the pupil’s continuing needs in a way that ensures that the pupil develops to his/her full potential may be necessary. Parents/Guardians will be kept informed by the Principal of any concerns that might arise at the earliest opportunity and will be asked by the Principal to work in partnership with the class teacher, SNA’s and relevant multi-disciplinary team member(s) to consider all options open to the pupil up to and including a review of the pupil’s placement. In the event of an indication that the pupil may not be suitably placed, the Board may request that a multi-disciplinary team assessment is carried out to determine the best options open to the student.