Leitrim Mxd National School
School Details
Location
About
St. Joseph’s National School, Leitrim Village, is a mixed primary school serving the local community and a growing multicultural population of four to five nationalities. The school provides a broad, inclusive curriculum supported by eleven full‑time teachers, including specialist staff for special education and English as an Additional Language. Small class sizes and dedicated Special Needs Assistants ensure personalised learning, while the Intercultural Programme encourages pupils to explore and respect diverse cultures. The campus has been progressively modernised since 2002. Refurbishments introduced a link‑corridor for safe movement, a cleared school hall, and a series of additional classrooms – a prefab unit in 2010, a new classroom and staffroom in 2011, and further classroom extensions completed in 2015. Sporting facilities have been enhanced with a €50,000 Aldi Play Rugby grant. The school’s colours are yellow and purple, and the uniform reflects a traditional yet practical design. With an enrolment of 213 pupils (September 2020), the school offers a supportive environment that balances academic rigour with community spirit and cultural awareness.
History
The first National School in Leitrim opened in 1835 with two teachers, the second acting as a monitor. In 1851 the La Touche family built the Model School, the area’s first post‑primary institution, to provide agricultural education. The original 1835 school was replaced and relocated behind the old building in 1972 on land donated by the Meehan family; it was designed for four teachers and resulted from the amalgamation of Kiltoghert N.S. and Leitrim N.S.