Our Poppy Centre caters for students with ASD and moderate learning needs. A lot of work is done to hone independent living skills and the linchpin of the programs used is our ‘Out & About’ morning. During this weekly outing we focus on teaching students about road safety, how to decide on and buy items in shops, how to use public transport, how to enjoy leisure activities and how to socialise with their friends.
In the classroom we continue this good work by promoting numeracy and literacy on a daily basis. We include further life skills with our hygiene program our meal preparation programs and our own RSE programme. The students work on both Junior Cycle Level 1 and Level 2 Programmes, leading to Junior Cycle certification in some areas of learning.
There is a strong focus on integration and inclusion. Efforts are made to integrate students with their mainstream peers through TY work experience placements, representation on both the Student Council and Green Schools Committee and inclusion in suitable mainstream classes where feasible. Poppy Centre students are Holy Child students and as such mix with their mainstream peers weekly at assemblies and twice daily for both break and lunch.
The following subjects and programmes are available to our Poppy Centre students:
- Out and About
- Physical Education
- Dance
- Drama
- Literacy and Numeracy Studies
- Maths
- Science
- Art
- Woodwork
- ASDAN Studies
- Home Economics
- Information Technology