Hedgestown National School
School Details
Location
About
Hedgestown National School is a small, rural primary school located between Lusk and Balbriggan. The school recently moved into a brand‑new, state‑of‑the‑art building that houses a purpose‑built PE hall, a basketball court, a sensory garden and a well‑stocked library, providing a modern learning environment for pupils from Junior Infants to 6th Class. A vibrant Student Council, Green Schools programme and Active Flag initiative encourage community involvement and environmental awareness, while a wide range of extracurricular activities – including GAA, swimming and tin‑whistle lessons – enrich the curriculum. The school’s ethos places the dignity and value of every child at the centre of its work. Its inclusive enrolment policy welcomes children of all languages, races, cultures and abilities, and the Code of Behaviour reflects Christian values such as forgiveness, reconciliation, new beginnings and hope. Hedgestown strives to maintain high professional standards within a safe, happy and supportive environment, fostering both academic progress and personal development.
History
In 1858 a group of local families sought to establish a school for their children and were offered an old shooting lodge on the Hedgestown estate by Lord Howth, marking the school’s foundation. The institution joined the National School System in 1860 and was known as Hedgestown N.S., originally called *Baile na Sceacha* (bushes or hedges) before being renamed *Baile Falbhach* after the hill on which it stands. A new prototype building for small schools was erected in 1945, with a second room added in 1967. From 1991 onward, prefabricated classrooms were introduced to accommodate growing enrolments, eventually providing dedicated spaces for a third classroom and learning‑support/resource teaching. Today the school employs seven teachers and three Special Needs Assistants, serving around 100 pupils. A 1996 application secured approval for an eight‑classroom modern school on a nearby three‑acre site.