Scoil Naisiunta Garran An Easaigh
School Details
Location
About
Gurraneasig National School is a co‑educational primary school under the patronage of the Bishop of Cork & Ross, serving children aged 4 to 13 in the parish of Kilbrittain, Co. Cork. The school’s ethos centres on providing a caring, child‑centred learning environment that nurtures each pupil’s full potential, with strong partnership between staff and parents to support wellbeing and academic progress. The campus benefits from a unique coastal location just a five‑minute walk from Howe Strand, allowing regular sea‑based activities such as sports, seaweed harvesting, art projects and surfing lessons. On‑site facilities include three modern classrooms, a library, an art room, a sensory space, and a garden that promotes biodiversity and supplies fresh produce for classroom use. Technology is integrated throughout the school, with 25 iPads available to enhance teaching and learning. Recent upgrades have added central heating, a purpose‑built basketball court with double‑sized shelter, and additional purpose‑built classrooms, ensuring a comfortable and well‑equipped environment for the 60‑70 pupils enrolled.
History
Gurraneasig National School opened its doors in 1961 as a one‑teacher school. Early leadership saw the appointment of a second teacher and the use of a partitioned classroom with dual fireplaces. A Board of Management was established in 1980, and a caretaker was employed in the mid‑1980s. The school underwent major refurbishment in 2002, adding central heating and prefabricated classrooms. In 2006 a full‑time Learning Support/Resource Teacher was introduced, a third classroom teacher was appointed in 2007, and a new tarmacadam basketball court with a larger shelter was constructed. A grant in 2006 enabled the replacement of prefabs with permanent rooms, further enhancing the learning environment. The long‑serving principal retired in September 2011 after 33 years, and the school continues to develop under the guidance of its Board, staff, parents and the local community.