Parents Raise Alarm Over High Suspension Rates at Cork Special School

Parents at the Carrigaline Community Special School (CCSS) in Cork have expressed serious concerns regarding the school’s management, citing a troubling trend of suspensions handed out at an alarming rate. Established in 2021, CCSS was designed to accommodate students aged four to 18 with dual diagnoses of autism and an intellectual disability. Since its opening, the school has recorded 17 official suspensions among a maximum of just 48 students.

Many parents describe the situation at CCSS as a “crisis,” with suspensions being issued “like confetti.” Niamh O’Grady, a parent of a child at the school, emphasized the impact of these suspensions, stating that most children do not comprehend the concept and that the practice only adds stress to families.

Growing Concerns Among Parents

The issues at CCSS are mirrored at its sister institution, the Rochestown Community Special School, which reported 14 suspensions from April to June 2024. Both schools fall under the administration of the Cork Education and Training Board (Cork ETB), which has been the sole patron to open new special schools in the Cork area over the past five years. In addition to CCSS, Cork ETB opened the North Cork Community Special School in September 2024 and the East Cork Community Special School, which is set to open in 2024.

Last year, a group of parents from CCSS formally reached out to the Inspectorate and the Department of Education, urging an investigation into the school’s high suspension rates. Following these concerns, suspensions at CCSS were halted in 2024. Nevertheless, parents remain apprehensive that this practice could resume, as reports of distress among students continue.

Parents have voiced additional worries regarding the heightened anxiety levels observed in their children. They have highlighted broader issues related to the school’s policies, culture, and staff turnover, with some indicating that they would consider transferring their children to different schools if possible.

Impact of Insufficient Support Services

A significant factor contributing to the challenges faced at CCSS is the lack of full-time in-school therapeutic services. Parents have reported a deficiency in essential therapies such as behavioural, occupational, and speech and language therapy. This shortage is believed to lead to increased dysregulation among students, negatively affecting their behaviour.

Despite these pressing needs, the school lacks a full-time behavioural therapist on site. One parent remarked, “We were the flagship school, and the flagship school is in crisis and has been for some time. You have children being penalised for behaviours intrinsic to their disabilities. It’s unprecedented.”

Kieran Kennedy, family support manager at the Shine Centre, characterized the suspension rates at CCSS as “exceptionally high,” noting that they are significantly above what is considered normal. He stated, “There are a lot of children in that school who are suffering.”

In response to the concerns raised, Cork ETB acknowledged the issues and stated that it has been engaging intensively with parents. The board emphasized, “The care and welfare of our students and their educational progress is always the number one priority for Cork ETB and for our special schools.”

The Department of Education has also been involved, with Minister of State for Special Education Michael Moynihan and department officials meeting with parent groups and school representatives to facilitate a resolution.

As the situation continues to unfold, parents remain vigilant, advocating for the necessary changes to ensure that their children receive the support and education they deserve.