The remarkable amenities of Mullingar's newest educational facility, Sacred Heart School on the Old Longford Road, were evident as they hosted a special event on Wednesday week last, October 22.

Sacred Heart School offers education to boys and girls between the ages of five and 18 years with designated abilities termed moderate, severe and profound, as well as general learning disabilities and autism.

The pupils in the school are educated by a dedicated team of highly trained and qualified teachers and supported by an equally skilled group of special needs assistants working under the direction of those class teachers.

Professor Vincent Cunnane, president of the Technological University of the Shannon, paid a visit to the school as they celebrated the launch of a new partnership with ATU for nursing education. Prof Cunnane and Anne-Marie Connolly, principal of Sacred Heart School, signed a formal agreement marking the collaboration.

Under the programme trainee nurses from the Athlone campus of ATU will undertake part of their training modules in the school, augmenting their learning in how to care and work with children with learning disabilities and autism.

“This is a unique cooperation, and one that will benefit both our student nurses and the students of Sacred Heart School,” Prof Cunnane told the Westmeath Examiner.

“The day is essentially the beginning of a new partnership between TUS Athlone and our newly established Sacred Heart School in Mullingar,” Anne-Marie said. “The idea is that, going forward, we will welcoming the TUS nursing students on placement to further enhance their professional learning and enhance the school experience for our students with complex medical needs and fragile health.”

In her role of principal, Anne-Marie oversaw the recent move from the school's home of 70 years at South Hill, Delvin to the new location. The new complex shares a campus with the expanding St Finian's on the outskirts of Mullingar.

The staff of 62 are dedicated to facilitating the educational journey of 48 students. Catering for pupils with special educational needs is an area that is experiencing increasing demand for places.

Prof Cunnane said Sacred Heart School was a clear choice for the partnership: “This is a brand new, purpose-built school with state-of-the-art facilities. They have occupational and behaviour therapy rooms, physical therapy facilities, and speech and language suites. It provides a perfect learning environment for our student nurses.”

Anne-Marie said the partnership will benefit both parties: “Many of the Athlone students wouldn't have experience of working with or meeting the care and medical needs of children and adults with intellectual disabilities. We're going to provide an opportunity to understand how to communicate effectively with them through a combination of means.

“They'll be afforded the opportunity to attend our staff training sessions and they'll be trained up in Lamh, the use of AAC devices, and the Picture Exchange Communication System. These students may not have encountered non-verbal children with complex medical needs prior to this. With the skills they pick up here, they'll be able to communicate effectively, having completed this placement.”

The school principal says, although they are new to Mullingar, the school enjoys a long tradition of care and learning: “Sacred Heart School has a proud tradition born out of its origins in St Mary's in Delvin. St Mary's in Delvin was a caring community. It began as a nursing support for adults with intellectual disabilities. I suppose this is really the wheel coming full circle.

“It's exciting for our school. We're delighted to have been chosen by ATU because it's a wonderful opportunity for our students,” Anne-Marie concluded.