St Ita's Special School
Our School:
St. Ita's School has been a cornerstone of education in Drogheda for over 60 years, nurturing a diverse community of 199 boys and girls. The school is deeply rooted in its Catholic ethos, which supports the holistic development of students, both academically and pastorally.
St. Ita’s is a co-educational school serving children aged 5 to 18 who have mild general learning needs. Referrals to the school are made through N.E.P.S., the school psychology service, or the Children's Disability Network Team from the H.S.E. The school operates across two campuses: the main campus located on Crushrod Avenue, and Shamrock Lodge, situated within the grounds of Boyne Rugby Club. In total, the school boasts 20 classrooms across both campuses.
Erasmus:
We are proud to be an Erasmus School, a distinction we have held since our first successful application in January 2018
Since then, we have actively collaborated with our European counterparts, fostering mutual learning and engaging in valuable research projects. Working alongside our consortium partners, we have not only gained insights but also contributed to the dissemination of knowledge across Erasmus and EU networks, gaining a European Innovative Teaching Award (EITA) in 2023 for our very successful IT Erasmus project . Mr Moley was proud to accept the award in Brussels and to represent a small Special School in Co Louth alongside major institutions from across Europe. These initiatives continue to strengthen our commitment to international cooperation and shared educational excellence.
At every level of our school’s organisational structure our competences were enhanced by our engagement with Erasmus + mobilities. Participation in Erasmus has enriched our curriculum delivery, provided skills that supported our students and families. Redefined our values in relation to relevance of content in teaching and learning. Our increased knowledge of European educational systems and best practices has been a major achievement of our involvement in the Erasmus+ programme.
This year St Ita’s has again been successful in obtaining an outstanding score from Leargas, we are now an Accredited Organisation which enables us to participate in Erasmus + activities up until 2027. We look forward to further broadening the learning experience of our staff and pupils.
Our School History:
St. Ita’s School was established in 1963, initially serving children primarily from the local Drogheda area.
Over the years, the school has undergone several refurbishments to accommodate its growing student population. These upgrades focused on improving the internal building structure, including enhancements to electrical systems, heating, and roofing.
In 2009, a new woodwork and art room was constructed to support the increasing number of students undertaking QQI and Junior Certificate exams and coursework.
To further meet the needs of the expanding curriculum, the school added two more classrooms in 2013, facilitating the growth of QQI programs. St. Ita's now offers a wide range of Level 1, 2, and 3 modules to their senior students.
In 2016, the school expanded again with the development of a second campus, “Shamrock Lodge.” This new facility included six additional classrooms to accommodate the growing demand for L2LP and L1LP classes. Currently 75 pupils engage in the revised Junior Cycle Curriculum at either Level 1 or Level 2.
The Structure of St. Ita’s:
Junior School – 7 Classrooms:
Our Junior School consists of 7 classes, all of which follow the National Curriculum framework set by the NCCA. Students participate in a variety of enriching activities, including cookery, swimming, drama, and gardening, helping to develop both practical and creative skills.
Middle School – 8 Classrooms:
The Middle School, located at Shamrock Lodge, includes 7 classes. These classes follow the newly revised Junior Cycle Programme (L2LP/L1LP) and are engaged in diverse activities such as running their own mini companies and organising school events. These hands-on experiences foster teamwork, leadership, and problem-solving skills. This award is determined through Class Based Assessment, so there are no final examinations.
Senior School – 5 Classrooms:
In the Senior School, students work towards completing their QQI qualifications. They have successfully passed modules in subjects such as numeracy, literacy, personal safety, and personal care. This year, several new Level 2 QQI modules have been introduced, and students are enjoying subjects like photography and childcare, further broadening their skills and interests.
Our School Crest:
Our school crest was designed by our students and symbolises four key values that are central to our school. Each element of the crest represents something meaningful to our community: friendship, our local community, technology, and the arts. These images reflect the diverse aspects of school life that we celebrate and nurture.
New School:
St. Ita's is currently in the final design stages of an exciting new chapter with the development of a state-of-the-art school building on Cement Road in Drogheda. This new facility will provide the space and resources needed to accommodate a growing student population and support an expanded range of subjects and curriculum offerings, further enhancing the educational experience for all students.