Kells Parochial National School
School Details
Location
About
Kells Parochial National School is an urban primary school that serves the Church of Ireland and related Protestant communities within the parishes of Kells and Donaghpatrick. The school operates with a three‑teacher team and delivers a broad curriculum that seeks to nurture the moral, spiritual, emotional, intellectual, physical and social development of every pupil. Central to its ethos are the values of honesty, charity, kindness, patience and personal responsibility, all expressed through a distinctive Church of Ireland tradition that permeates daily life while also respecting the beliefs of other faiths. The school’s modern facilities include high‑speed broadband connectivity provided under the Department of Education’s School Broadband Programme, supporting contemporary learning resources and digital literacy. A new purpose‑built building on the Navan Road, opened in 2009, provides spacious classrooms and a welcoming environment for pupils. Strong parent‑teacher communication is encouraged, with informal daily contact and formal meetings throughout the year, ensuring a collaborative approach to each child’s education.
History
In 1835 a Parochial School for boys at the junction of Church Lane and Fair Green opened with 66 pupils, supported by the Archdeacon of Meath, and a school house was provided in 1830. A larger national school was constructed in 1837 on Carrick Street North (Church of Ireland), which had 69 pupils by 1882; the original Church Lane school closed the following year. In 1967 Westland School, Moynalty amalgamated with Kells Parochial, creating a two‑teacher school of 56 pupils and installing oil‑fired central heating. The teacher’s residence was converted into flats in 1975 to raise funds. A new school building was opened on 27 March 2009 on the Navan Road, dedicated by The Most Reverend Richard Clarke, marking the latest chapter in the school’s development.