Ms Rose-Marie Flanagan:

There is a lot of research, particularly in respect of New Brunswick and the model that is in place there, but the reality is that it is very different in our settings. We do not even have sufficient support from the CDNTs, so, as it is, we are struggling to support these students.

From an academic point of view, all of our pupils experience a sense of success and of belonging. Going back to UNESCO and the Education Act, every child has a right to an education that is meaningful and respectful. Every child who attends our school settings has an education that is differentiated, whereby we adopt universal design for learning approaches. Every child experiences success at their level.

I worked in mainstream education for two decades so I get what it is like to be in that setting. These children are integrated, probably supported by special needs assistants and, unfortunately, they will not be active. Our students experience massive success, even in extracurricular activities. We have all had students experience success at national level, in higher competitions, and FAI soccer tournaments. We are going to fail those children. We are talking about the children of the future who will be failed. The current cohort will continue to excel.