Scoil Naisiunta Rath Mor
School Details
Location
About
Scoil Chéile Chríost, commonly known as Rathmore National School, is a co‑educational primary school situated in the village of Rathmore, Naas, County Kildare. Set against the foothills of the Wicklow Mountains, the school serves families from the rural parish of Eadestown and the surrounding towns, offering a welcoming environment for children from Junior Infants through to the 6th Class. The curriculum follows the Irish primary curriculum with a strong emphasis on holistic development, encouraging participation in community‑based activities, cultural events and charitable projects such as the annual Christmas Fair and fundraising initiatives. The school occupies a modern eight‑classroom building opened in 2005 on a 3 ⅓ acre site, providing spacious classrooms, a dedicated Learning Support Room, staffroom and ample outdoor play areas. Facilities are designed to support a range of learning experiences, from literacy and numeracy to creative arts and physical education. The close partnership with local community halls and the parish reinforces a sense of belonging and encourages parental involvement, making the school a vibrant centre for both education and community life.
History
Rathmore National School was officially recognised in 1837, although a boys’ school had operated in the area since 1821. The original school was a one‑teacher girls’ school, retaining the roll number 1821 as a testament to its long heritage. Kilteel National School opened in 1845 and closed in 1968, after which pupils were transferred to Rathmore. Significant expansions occurred in 1965 (new two‑teacher building), 1969 (third classroom), the 1970s‑80s (two prefabricated units), 1994 (permanent extension with a staffroom and Learning Support Room) and 1999 (additional prefabs). Planning permission for a new eight‑classroom school on an adjacent 3 ⅓ acre site was granted in 2002; foundations were laid in 2004 and the school moved to the new premises in September 2005, officially opened as Scoil Cheile Chríost.