Parent FAQs
Where is the school?
The school is temporarily based in:
Old Notre Dame Building
Upper Churchtown Road
Dublin 14
D14 Y563
Our permanent site is on the Irish Glass Bottle Recreation site in Goatstown.
What facilities does the school have?
Our main classrooms are in the old Notre Dame building including an Art room, Music room, Library and school hall. The prefabs house a Technology Lab, Science Lab, Home Economics Room and classrooms and an Autism Support suite. The staffroom, an administration block and toilets are also housed here. Outside there is a small green area with picnic tables and at the back of the building we have an Astro-turf pitch for sports and PE.
What are the school hours?
Students are advised to be in at 8.30am for class which starts at 8.40am
Break-time: 10:51 – 11:05
Lunchtime: 13:01 – 13:36
Students eat outside at a picnic table when the weather is fine.
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday: Classes finish at 15:32.
Wednesday: Classes finish at 13:01 (No lunch)
Friday: Classes finish at 15:16.
Getting to and from school:
Students are encouraged to walk or cycle to and from school.
There is no access for parent cars into the school yard. If you are bringing your child to the school, then please leave them at a safe distance from the main entrance to the school. Please arrange to collect your child in a safe location nearby.
There is supervision of Goatstown Educate Together Secondary School students from 8.20am.
Who do I contact if I am worried about my child?
In general, please use the following lines of communication:
If you are concerned about a particular subject, then contact the subject teacher.
If you are concerned that your child is anxious or worried about something, then please contact their Clan Tutor.
If you are concerned about additional support needs for your child, then please contact the Year Coordinator.
All contact details for staff can be found on the school website here.
What is the school app?
The school app is our main way of communicating with families in the school.
The app also allows parents to communicate with us about lates and absences as well as to make payments, download school reports and to give notice of a child leaving early from school.
What happens if my child is frequently absent from school?
We are obliged to inform Túsla, the Educational Welfare Services of the Child and Family Agency, in the case of any student who is absent from school on twenty or more days during the school year. This is a legal requirement that we must fulfil regardless of the reason for absences. You will be informed in writing in advance if Túsla has to be contacted. You will receive a letter from the school to highlight absences of 15 days.
What is the school policy on mobile phones?
There is a strictly enforced policy on mobile phones. Phones must be switched off and placed in a locked locker before registration each morning. They should not be used during break, at lunchtime or during the school day. Failure to do so will lead to the phone being confiscated by a member of staff. The parent will be required to collect the phone from the Year Coordinator. We appreciate your support in this. Students are not permitted to enter the WiFi code for the school into any personal device apart from their school device.
How are lockers managed?
Lockers are managed by a company called LockerFix. Each student will be allocated a locker for the school year and each locker can be locked securely.
What areas of the school are out of bounds?
As part of the induction process for students, we talk to students about areas on the site which are out of bounds due to health & safety issues, or which we cannot supervise.
What can I do to help my child settle into school?
By helping them to come to school on time and with everything they need. Encourage involvement in extracurricular activities. By encouraging good habits around sleep, screen time, eating, exercise and homework. By reading app notifications and by checking the school calendar. By contacting us if you are concerned or if you notice anything that worries you.
What equipment/books will we need to buy?
Each student will need to purchase a device and these will be used as the main learning resource. You will therefore not have the additional expense for books.
What kind of behaviour do we expect?
We expect that students will be kind, open-minded, polite and that they will always give of their best. We expect that they will take pride in their school community and that they will look out for each other. Students should note that we will not tolerate bullying or disrespectful behaviour. We expect that all members of the school community will engage with each other with courtesy and consideration.
What is the Autism Support Class?
Some autistic students can integrate more successfully when they have access to specialist supports. The support suite offers a range of additional supports to students and allows these students to complete their education in a mainstream setting.
How many places are there in the school each year?
The school will take 72 students into First Year 2024/2025.