SEN Education

At Our Lady of Mercy Secondary School, we are committed to creating an inclusive, caring, and supportive learning environment where every student is encouraged to achieve their full potential.

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Our Additional Educational Needs (AEN) Department works closely with students, parents, teachers, and outside agencies to ensure that appropriate supports are in place for students with a wide range of learning, social, emotional, behavioural, physical, sensory, and communication needs. We recognise that every student learns differently, and we are proud to offer a flexible and student-centred approach to support.

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The Mercy provides a wide range of supports through mixed-ability teaching, team teaching, in-class support, small group interventions, assistive technology, and targeted programmes. We follow the principles of Universal Design for Learning (UDL), ensuring lessons and learning experiences are accessible, engaging, and inclusive for all students from the outset.

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Support is planned using the Department of Education’s Continuum of Support framework, allowing us to provide the right level of intervention at the right time. Whether students require classroom support, school support, or more intensive School Support Plus interventions, our focus remains on helping every student feel valued, included, and empowered within our school community.

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We are also proud to provide a dedicated Special Class, offering additional support and tailored learning opportunities for students with more complex needs, while continuing to promote inclusion and participation in the wider life of the school.

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Our AEN Department is led by a committed team who work collaboratively with subject teachers and parents to monitor progress, review supports, and ensure students are given every opportunity to succeed academically, socially, and personally. Inclusion is at the heart of life at The Mercy, and all staff share responsibility for supporting the wellbeing and development of every learner.

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The school also supports eligible students through the Reasonable Accommodations at Certificate Examinations (RACE) scheme, helping students to access Junior Cycle and Leaving Certificate examinations fairly and appropriately where required.