As a national school, we follow the Primary School Curriculum that is used in all national schools throughout the country. The Primary School Curriculum was developed by the NCCA and launched in 1999. It is presented in six areas and comprises 11 subjects.
English
Much of the focus of the infant curriculum is on developing good oral language skills. This focus pervades the entire day as children interact with their teachers and peers to develop strong communication skills. A very important part of this development is Aistear time, which is explained in more detail below. Early reading and writing development are supported through the use of the Jolly Phonics programme. From an early stage, letter sounds are explored in context and used to both form and decode words. As emerging literacy skills strengthen, we use graded books to develop early reading skills. Children will begin to write simple, short texts. A range of fine-motor activities are used to develop hand strength and pencil grip. Children are exposed to a wide range of books, and they begin to practice comprehension strategies such as predicting, connecting to previous experiences and visualising as the teachers read a variety of texts aloud to the children.
Throughout their time in school, your child will be supported in making progress in oral language, reading and writing at a level and pace suited to them. The new Language Curriculum supports children with different learning strengths and needs.
Click here to access the curriculum
An Ghaeilge (Irish)
Múintear an Ghaeilge gach aon lá agus tá an teanga lárnach sa scoil seo. Ní gaelscoil í ach cuirtear an-bhéim ar an teanga. Leantear an scéim Céim ar Chéim chun an Ghaeilge a mhúineadh. Foghlaimíonn na páistí agus baineann siad úsáid as frasaí cabhracha tríd an lae scoile. Labhraíonn na páístí agus na múinteoirí an Ghaeilge mar ghnáth-theanga chumarsáideach i rith an lae.
Irish is taught each day and the language is central to the school. Though were are not an Irish-medium school, a lot of emphases is placed on the language. Children learn and use many helpful phrases throughout the day. Children and teachers speak Irish naturally during the school day outside of the formal Irish lessons.
Click here to access the curriculum
Maths
The curriculum identifies mathematical skills to be developed and content for children's learning in the areas of Number, Algebra, Shape and space, Measures, and Data.
The maths curriculum helps develop higher-order thinking skills through a variety of hands-on activities related to sorting, matching and pattern-building. In addition, numbers are introduced, using activities to practise counting, forming number bonds and writing numerals. The shape is explored, and concepts such as capacity, weight and money are introduced through hands-on practical exploration beginning early in school using Ready Set Go Maths. This is built upon and developed throughout their time in school.
A new primary mathematics curriculum is currently in development and will be published as a single specification from junior infants to 6th class in 2023.
Click here to access the curriculum
History, Geography and Science
These subjects are explored using a thematic approach. The focus is on the child’s experience and developing links between these experiences and the world around them. Language development is linked to every theme. We have limited outdoor space but are continually striving to develop this space as a vehicle for delivering these subjects. In addition, regular visits to local natural habitats such as the nearby canal help teach key concepts.
Click here to find out more
Visual Arts, Music and Drama
The creative arts are integrated throughout the curriculum and often tied to the themes the classes are currently exploring. The emphasis is on the process rather than the product in all cases. A variety of media are used to develop visual art techniques. Singing is an essential part of the music curriculum. We also use instruments of all kinds to explore rhythm and composition. In addition, listening to a variety of music is a regular activity. Drama, closely linked with oral language and literacy development, is intertwined throughout the day. It is a regular feature of Aistear time each day in the Junior classes through imaginative play.
Click here to find out more
Physical Education
The curriculum contributes to children’s overall development by helping them lead full, active, healthy lives. The PE curriculum provides a balanced range of activities for children through the six strands: Athletics, Dance, Gymnastics, Games, Outdoor and adventure activities, and Aquatics.
Children develop gross motor skills through a variety of activities including dance, basketball and football skills, playground games and gymnastics. Certain year groups also visit our local swimming pool and learn basic swimming and water safety skills.
Click here to find out more
Social, Personal and Health Education
The SPHE curriculum fosters children’s well-being, self-confidence and sense of belonging, develops children’s sense of personal responsibility for their own behaviour and actions, promotes children’s self-awareness and understanding by helping them to manage their own feelings, to recognise and appreciate individual abilities, and to cope with the change of various kinds, supports children to become active and responsible citizens.
Lessons in this area work to establish healthy habits regarding eating, exercise and hygiene. In addition, children learn about themselves and each other, exploring their interests, families and relationships with their classmates and friends. Lessons are integrated throughout the day as well as through discrete lessons.
Click here to find out more
Learn Together
As we are an Educate Together school, the time normally devoted to religious instruction in national schools is used to teach the Learn Together Curriculum. Further information about this important aspect of our ethos can be found by following this link to our Learn Together curriculum page, our ethos page and additional information can be found on the Educate Together website by clicking here.
- Language - English & Gaeilge
- Mathematics
- S.E.S.E.- Social Environmental and Scientific Sciences; History Geography and Science
- The Arts- Music, Drama and Visual Arts
- P.E. - Physical Education
- S.P.H.E.- Social Personal and Health Education
English
Much of the focus of the infant curriculum is on developing good oral language skills. This focus pervades the entire day as children interact with their teachers and peers to develop strong communication skills. A very important part of this development is Aistear time, which is explained in more detail below. Early reading and writing development are supported through the use of the Jolly Phonics programme. From an early stage, letter sounds are explored in context and used to both form and decode words. As emerging literacy skills strengthen, we use graded books to develop early reading skills. Children will begin to write simple, short texts. A range of fine-motor activities are used to develop hand strength and pencil grip. Children are exposed to a wide range of books, and they begin to practice comprehension strategies such as predicting, connecting to previous experiences and visualising as the teachers read a variety of texts aloud to the children.
Throughout their time in school, your child will be supported in making progress in oral language, reading and writing at a level and pace suited to them. The new Language Curriculum supports children with different learning strengths and needs.
Click here to access the curriculum
An Ghaeilge (Irish)
Múintear an Ghaeilge gach aon lá agus tá an teanga lárnach sa scoil seo. Ní gaelscoil í ach cuirtear an-bhéim ar an teanga. Leantear an scéim Céim ar Chéim chun an Ghaeilge a mhúineadh. Foghlaimíonn na páistí agus baineann siad úsáid as frasaí cabhracha tríd an lae scoile. Labhraíonn na páístí agus na múinteoirí an Ghaeilge mar ghnáth-theanga chumarsáideach i rith an lae.
Irish is taught each day and the language is central to the school. Though were are not an Irish-medium school, a lot of emphases is placed on the language. Children learn and use many helpful phrases throughout the day. Children and teachers speak Irish naturally during the school day outside of the formal Irish lessons.
Click here to access the curriculum
Maths
The curriculum identifies mathematical skills to be developed and content for children's learning in the areas of Number, Algebra, Shape and space, Measures, and Data.
The maths curriculum helps develop higher-order thinking skills through a variety of hands-on activities related to sorting, matching and pattern-building. In addition, numbers are introduced, using activities to practise counting, forming number bonds and writing numerals. The shape is explored, and concepts such as capacity, weight and money are introduced through hands-on practical exploration beginning early in school using Ready Set Go Maths. This is built upon and developed throughout their time in school.
A new primary mathematics curriculum is currently in development and will be published as a single specification from junior infants to 6th class in 2023.
Click here to access the curriculum
History, Geography and Science
These subjects are explored using a thematic approach. The focus is on the child’s experience and developing links between these experiences and the world around them. Language development is linked to every theme. We have limited outdoor space but are continually striving to develop this space as a vehicle for delivering these subjects. In addition, regular visits to local natural habitats such as the nearby canal help teach key concepts.
Click here to find out more
Visual Arts, Music and Drama
The creative arts are integrated throughout the curriculum and often tied to the themes the classes are currently exploring. The emphasis is on the process rather than the product in all cases. A variety of media are used to develop visual art techniques. Singing is an essential part of the music curriculum. We also use instruments of all kinds to explore rhythm and composition. In addition, listening to a variety of music is a regular activity. Drama, closely linked with oral language and literacy development, is intertwined throughout the day. It is a regular feature of Aistear time each day in the Junior classes through imaginative play.
Click here to find out more
Physical Education
The curriculum contributes to children’s overall development by helping them lead full, active, healthy lives. The PE curriculum provides a balanced range of activities for children through the six strands: Athletics, Dance, Gymnastics, Games, Outdoor and adventure activities, and Aquatics.
Children develop gross motor skills through a variety of activities including dance, basketball and football skills, playground games and gymnastics. Certain year groups also visit our local swimming pool and learn basic swimming and water safety skills.
Click here to find out more
Social, Personal and Health Education
The SPHE curriculum fosters children’s well-being, self-confidence and sense of belonging, develops children’s sense of personal responsibility for their own behaviour and actions, promotes children’s self-awareness and understanding by helping them to manage their own feelings, to recognise and appreciate individual abilities, and to cope with the change of various kinds, supports children to become active and responsible citizens.
Lessons in this area work to establish healthy habits regarding eating, exercise and hygiene. In addition, children learn about themselves and each other, exploring their interests, families and relationships with their classmates and friends. Lessons are integrated throughout the day as well as through discrete lessons.
Click here to find out more
Learn Together
As we are an Educate Together school, the time normally devoted to religious instruction in national schools is used to teach the Learn Together Curriculum. Further information about this important aspect of our ethos can be found by following this link to our Learn Together curriculum page, our ethos page and additional information can be found on the Educate Together website by clicking here.