Ratheniska National School
School Details
Location
About
Ratheniska National School is a mainstream, co‑educational primary school situated about three kilometres south‑east of Portlaoise in County Laois. The school serves a vibrant community of 191 pupils (approximately equal numbers of boys and girls) and operates under a Roman Catholic ethos while recognising and respecting other faiths. Its educational philosophy is holistic, aiming to develop each child academically, spiritually, morally, physically and socially. A calm, safe and inclusive environment is fostered, encouraging mutual respect, lifelong enjoyment of learning and gender equity among both staff and pupils. The school’s premises comprise eight spacious classrooms of roughly 90 sqm each, two support rooms, a library, offices and storage facilities. Additional recreational space is provided through the use of a local community hall and nearby GAA grounds covering 17 acres, supporting a broad range of physical and outdoor activities. The curriculum follows the Primary School Curriculum, covering English, Irish, Maths, SESE (History, Geography, Science), SPHE, Physical Education, and Arts (Visual Arts, Music, Drama), complemented by the “Grow in Love” religious education programme. Robust policies—including child safeguarding, a school improvement plan and a comprehensive set of organisational policies—underpin the school’s commitment to high standards of teaching, pupil welfare and continuous development.
History
The earliest records of a school in Ratheniska date back to 1824, giving the institution a heritage of nearly two centuries.