School of the Divine Child (Scoil an Linbh Íosa)
School Details
About
The School of the Divine Child (Scoil an Linbh Íosa) is a co‑educational specialist centre located in Ballintemple, Cork. It provides both primary and second‑level education for children and young people with physical, multiple and complex medical disabilities. The curriculum is fully differentiated, employing approaches such as Aistear and Numicon at primary level and offering Junior Certificate, Junior Certificate Schools Programme and Junior Cycle (JCT) courses at levels 1 and 2 for second‑level learners. Emphasis is placed on developing self‑esteem, wellbeing and lifelong‑learning skills so that pupils can participate actively in their local community. Technology and the arts are integral to the school’s ethos. From early involvement in a 1984 computer pilot project, the school now works with Safe Care Technologies and Enable Ireland to provide assistive communication tools, including SoundBeam, Magic Flute and GarageBand. Practical subjects such as horticulture, home economics, music, LEGO and construction are woven into the timetable, fostering hands‑on learning and creativity. Strong links with mainstream schools, local projects in Ballintemple, Ardfoyle and Páirc Uí Chaoimh, and partnerships with University College Cork, Cork Institute of Technology and European programmes further enrich the educational experience.
History
The School of the Divine Child opened on Grattan Street in 1959 to meet the educational needs of children with cerebral palsy. In 1966 a site at Lavanagh House, Ballintemple, was purchased and, with a Department of Education grant, the newly built school commenced operations in 1971. Since then the school has been a pioneer in educational technology, participating in early computer use projects (1984) and later collaborations such as the Eagle Eyes Camera Mouse project with Boston College. Recent partnerships with Safe Care Technologies support the use of assistive communication devices, while the school continues to engage in community projects, lifelong‑learning festivals and European cooperation schemes.