Spa National School
School Details
Location
About
Spa National School is a co‑educational primary school serving junior infants to sixth class in the village of Spa, three miles west of Tralee. The school accommodates approximately 224 pupils and employs a team of full‑time teachers, special education staff and support personnel. It offers a broad curriculum that incorporates digital learning, STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics), film and extra‑curricular activities, aiming to provide a holistic education that balances academic rigour with creative and physical development. Daily timetables run from 8.50 am to 1.30 pm for infants and to 2.30 pm for older classes, with supervised pre‑ and post‑school care. Recent developments have expanded the school’s facilities considerably. A 2012 rear extension added four spacious classrooms, a staffroom and a resource room, while a 2013 project created an astro‑turf pitch, new tarmac play area, staff car park and improved footpaths. The Board of Management has also installed a dedicated ICT suite, a support room, a pedestrian crossing, and secured additional land for future growth, reflecting a commitment to modern, well‑resourced learning environments.
History
The original Spa school was built in the 1860s and served the community for nearly a century. A new building was erected on the present site in 1963. In the 1980s, prefabricated classrooms were added and the grounds expanded to 1.5 acres. The 1990s saw the construction of a ball court (1993) and a major extension of four classrooms (opened 1996 by the Tánaiste). Between 2000 and 2010 enrolment grew, prompting the addition of temporary classrooms. A 2012 extension added four classrooms, a staffroom and a resource room. In 2013 the school installed an astro‑turf pitch, new tarmac area, staff car park and a footpath. A support room and ICT facility were completed in 2014. Land was purchased in 2019, a pedestrian crossing added in 2022, and a 2023 grant approved for a new classroom and two special‑education rooms.