(Ireland) Wicklow: School adds 2 autism classrooms; 6 students/3 staff in each
- The end of childhood
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Nov 11, 2025, Irish Independent: Wicklow school upgraded to B1 energy rating as new autism classrooms open
Kilcommon NS in Tinahely recently celebrated a major milestone with the official opening of two new special education classes for children with autism, following an initial retrofit of some rooms in the school, which was built upon with a more extensive upgrade that has brought the historic building up to a B1 energy rating.
Kilcommon NS was one of only eight Wicklow schools to get a retrofit this summer under the Climate Action REPowerEU Schools Energy Retrofit Pathfinder Programme 2024/2025.
The retrofit saw a new electrical system installed, new windows and doors, and new plumbing throughout. It also included a new heat pump and mechanical ventilation system, along with wall wrapping and pumped insulation, bringing the school up to a BER B1 rating. . . .
“Following guidelines from the Department of Education and the NCSE, each of our special education classrooms is at capacity already with six pupils, a teacher and two SNAs in each classroom. . . .
On what was a very special and joyous occasion for the school, school patron bishop Adrian Wilkinson was in attendance to celebrate, bless and officially open the two new autism classrooms, which are complete with a new outdoor play area and three new sensory areas in the school.
There was a short service in Kilcommon Church with canon David Bayne and bishop Wilkinson which was also attended by members of the school board of management, PTA, parents, parishioners, local representatives, representatives of the design project team, family and pupils. Pupils sang hymns and finished with a lovely rendition of What a Wonderful World, which they sang whilst using ‘Lámh’ sign language. . . .
“Our two new classrooms are a cornerstone for inclusion here in Kilcommon,” Ms Hadden said. . . .
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