St Georges National School
School Details
Location
About
St George’s National School is a co‑educational primary school situated on Naul Road in Balbriggan, County Dublin. It serves approximately 400 pupils and is staffed by a team of 31 teachers and 11 support personnel under the patronage of the Church of Ireland. The school’s ethos places a strong emphasis on honesty, justice, fairness, respect and openness, striving to create a happy, welcoming environment where every child feels valued and belongs. As a recognised language school, the pupil community reflects considerable cultural diversity, with families speaking over fifty different languages at home. The curriculum is delivered through a child‑centred approach that incorporates the Church of Ireland’s *Follow Me* religious education programme, alongside a broad range of subjects designed to develop academic, social and physical skills. The school actively participates in national initiatives such as the Amber Flag, Active School Flag, Green Schools and the Curious Minds programme, promoting health, wellbeing and environmental awareness. Modern facilities, expanded in 2007 and relocated to a new building in 2008, provide dedicated spaces for classroom learning, physical education, music and creative arts, supporting a well‑rounded education for all pupils.
History
St George’s National School traces its origins to the early 20th century, when it operated in a much smaller Balbriggan and was attended mainly by children from nearby houses such as the “Quality Row” on Hampton Place. In the early decades the school was run by Mr J. Douglas (senior classes) and Mrs Edith Douglas (junior classes), who also lived on‑site with their family. The curriculum then included scripture teaching, Sunday school, music, French and, after a three‑month Gaeltacht course, Irish. Following Mr Douglas’s retirement the school’s enrolment fell, and it functioned as a one‑teacher school until 1985 when numbers began to rise again. Significant expansion took place in 2007, culminating in the move to a new, modern building in 2008, allowing the school to accommodate its growing community while preserving its historic values.