About Us
Our History
Founded in 1969 by John Birmingham (COPE Foundation) and Monsignor J. Bastible, St. Killian’s began with 19 pupils and one teacher. The school was formally recognised as a special school in 1972 and continued to grow in size and expertise over the following decades.
After several relocations, St. Killian’s moved to its current purpose-built premises on Old Youghal Road, Mayfield in 2018 — the first building owned by the school.
Today, the school continues to thrive with 14 class teachers, 36 Special Needs Assistants, and 3 Resource/SET/Support teachers.
School Management
Our school operates under the patronage of the Department of Education and follows all national guidelines for special education.
The school is governed by a Board of Management, which oversees the running of the school, ensures policies are in place, and works in the best interests of our pupils and school community. The Board includes representatives of parents, staff and the wider community.
The day-to-day management of the school is led by the Principal and School Management Team, who oversee teaching, learning, wellbeing and the smooth operation of school life.
Together, we are committed to providing a safe, supportive and high-quality educational experience for every child.
School Management Team
Sue Linehan
Principal/DLP
Mary O'Conor
Deputy Principal/DDLP
Roisin Hession
Assistant Principal I
Peter Dineen
Assistant Principal II
Aisling Murphy
Assistant Principal II
Stephen McCarthy
Assistant Principal II
Catherine Ware
Assistant Principal II
Curriculum
St Killian’s School is a Catholic co-educational special school under the patronage of the Bishop of Cork and Ross.
We provide a specialised, child-centred educational environment where each pupil’s uniqueness is valued and supported.
Our school is divided into:
- Primary School
- Multi-Stream Classes (SLD/DCD/SSLD/DLD and related profiles)
- Autism Classes
- Post-Primary (Junior Cycle Level 1 & Level 2)
Each pathway is carefully designed to meet the individual learning, social and emotional needs of our pupils.
Primary
At Primary level in St Killian’s, pupils learn in small, supportive class settings where teaching is carefully tailored to their individual strengths and needs. We deliver a differentiated and adapted Primary School Curriculum, ensuring that each child can access learning in a way that suits them best.
There is a strong focus on literacy, numeracy and language development, taught through structured and multi-sensory approaches. Individual Education Plans (IEPs) guide personalised learning, helping to build core academic skills alongside confidence and independence.
Our priority at Primary level is to provide meaningful, accessible learning experiences that enable every child to make progress and thrive both academically and socially.
Post-Primary
At Post-Primary level, students follow Junior Cycle Level 1 or Level 2 programmes within small, supportive classes. The curriculum is practical, personalised and focused on building skills for everyday life. Key areas include communication and literacy, numeracy, personal wellbeing, community participation and preparation for work.
Learning is hands-on and relevant, with students working towards clearly defined learning outcomes and building a portfolio of work over three years, leading to certification through the Junior Cycle Profile of Achievement (JCPA). Throughout Post-Primary, there is a strong emphasis on developing independence, self-confidence and responsibility, helping students prepare for the next stage of their lives in a supportive and structured environment.