St Saviours National School
School Details
Location
About
St Saviour’s National School is a co‑educational primary school in Rathdrum, County Wicklow, operating under the patronage of the Church of Ireland Bishop of Dublin and Glendalough. The school’s ethos is rooted in Christian principles of love and respect, seeking to nurture each child’s spiritual, moral, personal and social development while encouraging the highest standards of academic achievement. The school provides a supportive learning environment with five mainstream teachers, a dedicated hub for children with autism, two special‑education teaching posts (including a job‑share arrangement), special needs assistants, and a classroom assistant. Facilities include modern classrooms, a purpose‑built hub, a garden and the commemorative Clodagh’s Garden, as well as a range of extracurricular opportunities such as sports, gardening and community projects. The school’s philosophy emphasises fairness, tolerance and respect, fostering a sense of belonging where pupils are encouraged to grow, connect and belong as part of a close‑knit community.
History
St Saviour’s National School was founded in 1825 by the Kildare Place Society to educate children of the Church of Ireland parish of Rathdrum. The original premises were off Main Street, behind the former Central Shop. An endowment from the Erasmus Smith Board in 1831 enabled the purchase of equipment. In 1883 the school conformed to national regulations and became the No. 2 National School, then known as The Number 2 School, with 51 pupils. Early principals included Samuel McKee, Isaac Saul and Samuel Dowzer. Following the closure of the Church of Ireland school at Ballinatone in the 1950s, its pupils transferred to St Saviour’s. A new school building on Station Road was officially opened in 1984 after extensive fundraising. Over the decades the school has evolved to welcome children of diverse faiths and nationalities, enriching its educational community.