Blessington 1 National School
School Details
Location
About
Blessington No. 1 National School provides a caring, inclusive environment where pupils are encouraged to develop academically, physically, culturally, spiritually and socially. The school places a strong emphasis on partnership between home and school, operating an “Open Door” policy that enables parents to discuss matters directly with staff. A respectful ethos underpinned by the Anglican tradition guides the curriculum and school life, fostering a community where each child is nurtured to reach their full potential. Learning is delivered to the highest academic standards across all subjects, supported by a wide range of continually updated resources. The school benefits from high‑speed broadband and a networked set of laptops, with a class set of iPads and a dedicated charging station introduced through a 2021 grant to bridge the digital divide. Extra‑curricular provision is extensive, including a varied physical education programme (games, football, cricket, tennis, gymnastics, dancing, swimming), a vibrant music department with weekly singing, instrument and choral lessons, and robust arts and crafts activities. Collaborative learning is promoted through group projects, shared reading sessions and a reading‑buddy system linking junior and senior pupils.
History
Blessington No. 1 School was founded in 1851 and originally situated in the centre of Blessington. In 1989 the school moved to larger premises, and in June 2008 it relocated to its current site at Blessington Demesne, on the edge of Glending Wood. The school operates under the Church of Ireland patronage of the Archbishop of Dublin, with an Anglican religious ethos informing its curriculum and management.