Powerscourt National School
School Details
Location
About
Powerscourt National School is a Church of Ireland primary school situated just off the Cookstown Road in the historic village of Enniskerry, County Wicklow. The school follows the NCCA Primary School Curriculum (1999), delivering a broad programme that includes English, Gaeilge, Mathematics, Religion, Science, History, Geography, Music, Drama, Art, SPHE and Physical Education. Learning is child‑centred and inclusive, with age‑appropriate skill development such as map reading, debating and interviewing woven throughout the curriculum. The school benefits from modern, energy‑efficient facilities that were opened in June 2012, replacing the former historic building with a contemporary “passive” school designed to provide a comfortable, low‑energy learning environment. These premises support a range of specialist spaces for arts, science and physical activity, enabling pupils to engage fully in both academic and extracurricular pursuits. The school’s ethos emphasises community, safeguarding and the holistic development of each child, underpinned by clear child‑protection structures.
History
The school’s origins date to 1818 when Richard, 5th Viscount Powerscourt commissioned architect Sir William Morrison to construct a series of rustic cottages, including the original schoolhouse. By 1825 the Enniskerry Schoolhouse met the standards of the Kildare Place Society, enrolling 61 children at a construction cost of £600, with Margaret Sandford as headmistress. In 1867 the school entered the National School System under James and Isabella Doherty, receiving roll number 9760. Originally named Enniskerry National School, it was renamed Powerscourt National School in 1876. After more than a century of continuous operation, the school moved in June 2012 to a modern, energy‑efficient building, marking a new chapter in its long history.