St. Brigid's Primary School
School Details
Location
About
St Brigid’s Primary School is a Catholic‑ethos primary school situated in Moate, County Westmeath. It provides co‑educational provision for Junior Infants, Infants and First Class, while from Second to Sixth Class it operates as a girls‑only school. The school serves a vibrant community of over 200 pupils and is staffed by a team of teachers, special needs assistants and support personnel who work together to create a safe, happy and inclusive learning environment. The curriculum follows the revised 1999 Primary Schools’ Curriculum and is delivered with a holistic approach that nurtures cognitive, intellectual, cultural, moral and spiritual development. Emphasis is placed on respect, community involvement and the celebration of each child’s individuality, with particular support for pupils with special educational needs, including a dedicated Autism Specific Learning Environment for female students. Facilities have developed steadily since the school’s foundation, encompassing a modern PE hall, expanded classroom spaces added in the 1970s, a larger staffroom and a purpose‑built car park from the 1990s. These resources, together with a strong partnership with parents and the wider Moate community, underpin the school’s commitment to lifelong learning and the overall well‑being of its pupils.
History
The school originated as the Convent Primary School in 1861, operating from a two‑roomed building under the Sisters of Mercy with an initial enrolment of 60 pupils, which quickly rose to 300 within two years. In 1906 a substantial two‑storey primary school building was erected. Additional classrooms were added in the 1970s, followed by the construction of a PE hall. The 1990s saw further development with an extended staffroom and the creation of a car park. On 1 February 2011 trusteeship transferred from the Mercy Sisters to the Diocese of Ardagh and Clonmacnoise, and the school was renamed St Brigid’s Primary School.