The Department of Education encourages schools to provide the summer programme for primary and post-primary students with complex special educational needs and those at greatest risk of educational disadvantage. The programme’s aims are to support pupils to re-engage with education, to build their confidence and increase their motivation, promote wellbeing and for some who are at key transition stages, help to ensure they can move on to their planned educational placement next September along with their peers. Where the school-based programme is not available for pupils with complex needs, a home-based programme is available.
St Paul's offer a Summer Programme to students enrolled on the 30th June of that academic year. The minimum staffing for the programme is 2 Teachers and 8 SNAs. This is in line with the typical staffing ratio during the academic year. Parents must apply for the School Based Summer Programme on the official school form. Where there is no place available for a child to participate in the School Based Programme parents may apply for the home based programme. More details are available under the tabs above.