John Scottus National School
School Details
Location
About
John Scottus National School is a small, multi‑denominational, co‑educational primary school situated on Rathmines Road Lower, Dublin 6. Established in 1986 by a group of parents inspired by both Eastern and Western philosophical traditions, the school embraces a holistic ethos that blends the Irish national curriculum with a distinctive focus on mindfulness, philosophy, speech and classics. Approximately 200 pupils benefit from a learning environment that prioritises enquiry, attention, unity, resilience and the practice of regular meditation, fostering both academic rigour and personal well‑being. The school’s facilities support contemporary learning, including an upgraded internal network and classroom tablets introduced through a grant from the Irish National Recovery and Resilience Plan. A vibrant community life is evident through initiatives such as the Active School Flag committee, after‑school programmes, and a dedicated Learning Support Team that works collaboratively with children, parents and teachers to meet special educational needs. The school’s five core rules—caring for everyone, giving full attention, following directions promptly, speaking truthfully and beautifully, and caring for everything—are woven into daily practice, creating a nurturing centre of learning where children are encouraged to discover and develop their unique gifts.
History
John Scottus National School was founded in 1986 by a group of parents motivated by Eastern and Western philosophy. The school is named after the Irish Platonist philosopher John Scottus Eriugena and was created as a small, multi‑denominational co‑educational national school that welcomes children of all faiths or none.