S N NAOMH PEADAR
School Details
About
St. Peter’s National School is a Church of Ireland co‑educational primary school situated in the heart of Drogheda. With a small teaching team and two classes per classroom, the school delivers a high‑quality, holistic education that places pupil wellbeing at the centre of its ethos. The curriculum is complemented by a broad range of extracurricular activities, including Spanish lessons, student council, GAA, soccer and tennis coaching, fostering both academic and personal development. The school benefits from a spacious outdoor yard equipped with modern playground facilities and has been recognised with five Green Flag awards for its environmental initiatives. It actively participates in programmes such as the Discover Primary Science Schools Award and aims to renew its Active School Flag. All pupils have full access to the G Suite for Education suite, with Google Classroom and Seesaw employed to enhance digital learning skills, especially during periods of school closure. Rooted in Christian values, the school promotes a caring, inclusive community where every child is respected regardless of background, ability or belief. Religious Education occupies a central place in the timetable, encouraging spiritual growth, moral reasoning and freedom of thought while maintaining strong links with the local parish and the wider community.
History
The origins of St. Peter’s National School trace back to the early 18th century with the Drogheda Blue School in St. Peter’s Close, adjacent to the parish church. A charitable school for orphan girls was established on the present site in 1826, and by 1872 the parish school was clearly shown on Ordnance Survey maps. In 1896 the school received a Victorian extension and façade, funded by philanthropist Thomas Plunkett Cairnes, while retaining elements of the earlier structure. A major modernisation and extension in 2015 added bright, well‑resourced classrooms. Throughout its history the school has served the Church of Ireland community while welcoming pupils of all faiths and none.