ARDEN BOYS NS
School Details
About
Arden Boys’ National School is a DEIS Band 1 all‑boys primary school situated in the Arden View housing estate in Tullamore, County Offaly. The school caters for pupils from third to sixth class and works closely with its feeder, St Joseph’s Junior School, which shares the same campus. A collaborative team of mainstream teachers, special‑education teachers, a dedicated Phoenix class, and support staff provides a nurturing environment that aims to develop children intellectually, physically, culturally and emotionally. The school places a strong emphasis on digital inclusion and innovative learning. A 2021 grant under the Irish National Recovery and Resilience Plan funded the acquisition of digital devices and the introduction of STEAM projects, including robotics (VEX IQ), coding, and digital portfolios. These resources support numeracy, problem‑solving and literacy across the curriculum. Recent enhancements such as a new school hall, additional special‑education rooms, a sensory (Nurture) room, and a soft‑play area further enrich the learning experience, offering a modern, inclusive setting for pupils to thrive.
History
The school opened as a boys’ primary school in September 1980 with a small teaching team. In its early years it comprised four single classrooms and two shared‑area rooms, expanding to four single classrooms later on. By the early 1990s enrolment had reached 268 pupils with eight class teachers. In 1992 the school was granted disadvantaged status and a concessionary post. A major refurbishment in 2002 added a perimeter fence and updated facilities. The Phoenix class and a prefabricated extension, together with a soft‑play area and a sensory (Nurture) room, were introduced in 2021, followed by the opening of a new school hall and three additional special‑education rooms in 2022, reflecting ongoing investment in the school’s infrastructure and resources.