St Catherines Infant School
School Details
Location
About
St Catherine’s Infant School is a co‑educational primary school situated on Ratoath Road in Cabra, Dublin 7, catering for children from Junior Infants through to First Class. The school operates within a shared building alongside St Catherine’s Senior School, providing a seamless transition for pupils who continue their education beyond the infant phase. Class sizes are kept small, with eight mainstream classrooms each accommodating roughly 15‑18 children, allowing for personalised attention and a supportive learning environment. The school places a strong emphasis on inclusive education. In addition to the mainstream classes, it runs two specialised “Stars” autism spectrum disorder (ASD) classes, the first of which opened in September 2016 and a second in September 2020. A dedicated sensory room, introduced in September 2017, supports sensory‑based learning and helps meet the needs of pupils with additional requirements. The school’s ethos centres on fostering curiosity, creativity and social development, with a broad programme of activities ranging from cultural celebrations to community‑led events such as St Patrick’s Day parades and charity fundraisers. A well‑rounded curriculum is complemented by a robust support team that includes special‑needs assistants, a psychotherapist, and dedicated caretakers. The school also promotes healthy living, as reflected in its published Healthy Eating Policy, and encourages parental involvement through regular communication, newsletters and an active online presence.
History
St Catherine’s Infant School expanded its provision for children with autism by opening its first Stars (ASD) class in September 2016. The following year, a sensory room was added to enhance sensory‑based learning. In September 2020 a second Stars class was launched, further strengthening the school’s commitment to inclusive education. The school continues to grow, with enrolments open for the 2026/2027 academic year across mainstream and autism‑specific classes.