Ballinagar National School
School Details
Location
About
Ballinagar National School is a Catholic, co‑educational primary school located about 11 km north of Tullamore in County Offaly. The school provides a well‑ordered, caring and secure environment that seeks to develop each child’s intellectual, spiritual, physical, moral and cultural potential. A strong emphasis is placed on nurturing pupils’ voices and talents, encouraging confidence, creativity and community spirit so that they become caring members of society. The school operates from a purpose‑built campus opened in June 2013, which includes modern classrooms, specialist ancillary rooms, a school garden and a mini‑forest that support the Green Flag programme. Facilities also cater for a range of extracurricular activities and the school community – pupils, parents, staff and the board of management – works together to maintain a positive atmosphere where every child feels valued and respected. With a current roll of around 192 pupils and a staff of twelve teachers, the school offers a supportive, child‑centred approach to primary education.
History
The original schoolhouse was situated in the grounds of the local church. A new two‑teacher school was built in 1949, with the parish‑owned principal’s residence opposite. In 1992 the building was refurbished, adding a classroom and two ancillary rooms, and enrolment began to rise alongside village housing development. A further new school was constructed on an adjacent site and officially opened on 7 June 2013, featuring a Green Flag garden, mini‑forest and a “percent art” project. Enrolment grew from 78 pupils in 1990 to 192 in 2024, with staff numbers increasing from two teachers to twelve.