St. Josephs N. S.
School Details
Location
About
St Joseph’s National School, Derrywash, is a co‑educational primary school serving the Castlebar area of County Mayo. The school welcomes children of all denominations and aims to nurture the spiritual, intellectual, physical and social development of each pupil. Learning is organised around a structured school day that begins at 8:50 am and finishes at 2:30 pm (with junior and senior infants ending at 1:30 pm), incorporating two twenty‑minute breaks to support concentration and wellbeing. The campus combines modern facilities with inclusive provision. The two‑storey building offers full accessibility via two elevators and houses five mainstream classrooms together with a dedicated autism class, supported by specialist‑education teachers, a language support teacher and additional learning assistants. Classrooms are equipped with interactive Smart Boards, laptops and iPads, while the outdoor area provides two spacious playgrounds and a football pitch. These resources enable a contemporary, technology‑enhanced curriculum that encourages creativity, numeracy and collaborative learning across all year groups.
History
The school’s origins date back to October 1887 when it operated from a single‑room building with an open fireplace. Over the ensuing century the premises were repeatedly renovated and expanded to meet growing enrolment and evolving educational needs. A major milestone was the opening of a new, ultra‑modern school building, officially blessed by Archbishop Michael Neary on 14 March 2011. This contemporary facility reflects the school’s commitment to providing a high‑quality learning environment while honouring its long‑standing tradition of community support and academic achievement.