Established in 1995, the Henrietta Street School is a high support school for children at-risk, recognised and fully funded by the Department of Education and Skills.  The school was initially set up on a pilot basis for a three-year period and then, following a successful review, was fully recognised in 1998.  Today, our school caters for a total of 20 pupils aged 11 –16 years, male and female, from Dublin’s north inner city area who are considered to be at-risk.  Almost all of the children have had learning and behavioural difficulties in their previous schools, while some were not attending any school at the time of referral.

Through an alternative, more flexible, education programme and approach than is normally possible in mainstream schools, Henrietta Street School seeks to provide opportunities for each of its pupils to explore and develop his / her intellectual, emotional, spiritual, physical and creative selves.  We do this based on a curriculum which is interesting, varied and relevant to the pupil’s needs, and which is structured in a way that enables each child to experience success.

With a student-teacher ratio of 5 : 1 and the support of part-time teachers, the school operates individualised learning programmes for each pupil with a strong emphasis on literacy and social mathematics.  Emphasis is placed on the social development of the students through the creation of a school community where all children are treated with respect by staff and fellow students.  The positive respectful atmosphere in the school is a feature often commented on by visitors.

The school also promotes effective communications and positive relationships with parents and carers of the children.  This is greatly facilitated by our full-time Social Worker who supports the school in liaison work with families, local schools, various agencies and bodies, and local area networks.  We view these sets of relationships as critical to a better understanding of the student’s home and community environment, and in contributing to the co-ordination and development of services on a wider level.

The school curriculum is comprised of the following subjects:
•    English
•    Mathematics
•    Art
•    Civic, Social, Political Education (C.S.P.E)
•    Gaeilge
•    Geography
•    History
•    Business Studies
•    Music
•    Environmental Social Studies (E.S.S)
•    Social, Personal, Health Education (S.P.H.E)
•    Physical Education
•    Religion