BRACKLOON N S
School Details
About
St Joseph’s National School is a Catholic, co‑educational primary school under the patronage of Archbishop Michael Neary. Situated on the edge of Brackloon Woods, about 4.5 miles south‑west of Westport, the school benefits from a scenic rural setting framed by the foothills of Croagh Patrick. In 2013 the school moved into a modern, state‑of‑the‑art building that provides spacious classrooms, specialist areas for music, art and sport, and a safe, welcoming environment for its growing pupil body, which now comprises seven mainstream classes. The school’s educational philosophy is holistic, aiming to develop the spiritual, intellectual, physical, emotional, moral, aesthetic and social dimensions of each child. A strong emphasis is placed on sport – with Gaelic football, hurling, soccer, camogie, cycling, athletics and swimming – and the arts, including weekly Irish music and dancing sessions, participation in the National Children’s Choir and biennial concerts. Brackloon NS is also a Green School, operating a developing school garden and promoting environmental stewardship. Healthy eating is enforced through a strict policy that bans junk food, and a supportive Home‑School Association works closely with the Board of Management to enhance school life.
History
The original school building was erected in 1849, establishing a long tradition of education in the Brackloon community. In 2013 the school relocated to a new, purpose‑built facility with contemporary amenities, while the historic structure was repurposed as the Little Acorns preschool and after‑school centre. Since then enrolment has steadily increased, and from 2021 the school operates seven mainstream primary classes.