Temporary accommodation for special education class welcomed
Temporary accommodation for a special education classroom has been sanctioned for Boyerstown National School for the new school year.
The announcement came following the sanction of a permanent Special Education Needs (SEN) unit, which was sanctioned for the school last December.
The news has been warmly welcomed locally and particularly by local mother Tracy Carroll, whose daughter, Willow, will now be able to attend the school.
The temporary accommodation announced this week will cater for special children like Willow while the permanent facility is being built.
“This is brilliant news. We are delighted and now Willow will be able to attend the same school as her brother, Noah.”
Minister Damien English said he was delighted for Boyerstown NS and all the children who attend it.
“Well done to Willow's mum Tracy Carroll for her Trojan work in always fighting for everything ‘inclusive’ for her daughter and children like Willow.
“Well done to principal Cathal O’Bric for his vision and to the board of management.
“Thanks also to my colleague Minister Josepha Madigan, Minister with responsibility for Special Education and Inclusion, who came to meet Willow, Tracy and Cathal at the school a few months back to discuss the project.
“It would be a chance to see Willow cross the gate of Boyerstown School with Noah, to play in the yard as siblings,” she said.
Four-year-old Willow suffers from spastic quadriplegia cerebral palsy and epilepsy and was sent home with palliative care after she was born in December 2016.
The little fighter clung onto life and survived but is peg fed, unable to talk and on various medications for her complex issues.
Tracy points out that being educated with your siblings isn't a given when your child has Special Education Needs.
“In November 2019 I spoke with Boyerstown principal, Cathal O'Bric who said he was happy to have an SEN unit.
“Boyerstown was due to have a two classroom extension, so the SEN was sanctioned along with the extension. “This is very exciting for us as a family and we are grateful to all who have been part of this. Cathal O'Bric said the staff and management at the school were delighted at the announcement.