ST FRANCIS SPECIAL SCH
School Details
About
St Francis Special School, situated in Whitefield, Beaufort, Co Kerry, provides specialist education for children and young people aged 4‑18 who have moderate, severe or profound learning disabilities. The school delivers a tailored curriculum that aligns junior classes with the Primary Curriculum and senior classes with the Junior Cycle, ensuring that pupils progress through recognised educational stages while receiving the individual support they need. A strong emphasis is placed on developing life‑skills, communication, and social interaction, alongside academic learning, to promote independence and confidence. The campus is equipped with a range of therapeutic and sensory facilities designed to enhance learning and wellbeing. These include a hydrotherapy pool, a dedicated sensory room, an occupational therapy (OT) room, and a secure playground, all of which support a holistic, multi‑sensory approach to education. The school’s environment is purpose‑built to accommodate a variety of physical and intellectual needs, fostering a nurturing community where each pupil can thrive.
History
The school originated on the farm of Denis and Mary Doyle in Whitefield, Beaufort. In 1964 their daughter, Mary Rose Doyle, entered a convent and the couple donated the entire farm to the Franciscan Sisters. Initially intended as a home for retired priests, the Sisters, advised by the Bishop of Kerry, repurposed the site to serve physically and intellectually challenged children. Bishop Moynihan laid the foundation stone in October 1966, and a 60‑bed residential facility—then known as St Mary of the Angels—was opened with generous local support. For many years it remained the sole residential special‑needs school in the county.