Inclusive school collaboration project crowned Overall winner at Meath Community Awards

Published: Fri 23 May 2025, 12:19 PM

Last updated: Fri 23 May 2025, 12:34 PM

There were joyous scenes in the Darnley Lodge Hotel yesterday afternoon (Thursday 22nd May) as an inclusive learning collaboration project between two Navan schools was recognised as overall winner at the Meath Chronicle/Specsavers Community Awards and Meath Chronicle/Bective Stud Sport Awards.

Over 230 people attended the prestigious event in the Athboy hotel that saw the well established Meath Chronicle Sports Awards share the spotlight with a new Community Awards section.

The ‘Towards Inclusion’ project is an initiative between Leaving Certificate Applied (LCA) in St Joseph’s Mercy secondary school and St Ultan’s school in Navan, Ireland, that began in January 2024. The project fosters collaboration between a mainstream school and a special education school, promoting an inclusive learning environment.

The St Ultan’s pupils visit St Joseph’s Mercy’s purpose-built salon to receive tuition in beauty practice and theory from the LCA students. Salon and Customer Care, Haircare, Beautycare and Bodycare. This collaboration includes practical sessions, theory lessons, and role-play activities.

Meath Chronicle Community and Sports Awards held in the Darnley Lodge Hotel Athlboy, Co. Meath.Pictured: Sarah Andrews, Caoimhe Cumnnngham and Karen Smith, St Ultan's Towards Inclusion ProjectPhoto: Gerry Shanahan-www.cyberimages.net Photo by Gerry Shanahan

Pupils and teachers Sarah Andrews, Caoimhe Cumnnngham and Karen Smith of St Ultan's Towards Inclusion Project of St Ultan's Special School and teacher Ms Amy Dignam of Mercy Secondary School were on hand to collect the award which followed their selection as Best School Project award.

Earlier this year and to showcase this collaboration, a charity fashion show was organised at The Newgrange Hotel, highlighting the students' achievements and fostering a sense of community involvement between both schools with over 400 students involved. The event raised over €10,000 for Meath River Rescue.

Alongside partners Specsavers and Bective Stud, the awards were kindly supported by The Darnley Lodge Hotel, Park Ri Kells, Meath County Council, Aura Leisure Navan and Trim, Meta Data Centre Clonee and Meath Local Sports Partnership.