Recommend a good primary school in celbridge

McGinty

Hi all

I don't know if anyone can help but my son and I moving to Celbridge in the next two weeks and there are four primary schools I can send him to as follows:-
1) Primrose National school
2) North Kildare Educate Together School
3) Aghards National School
4) Scoil na Mainistreach

He will be going in to 5th class, now where we live at the moment he suffered bullying so I want to make sure I pick a friendly school, I put the schools in prefered order. The first seems to have the smallest numbers, it is church of england (that doesn't bother me, my son and I lapsed Catholics, leaning towards agnostic) but it may bother the school. The second school seems the most child centered but its times are weird and my son will have to get a bus to the school. The third has a large number kids (it is mixed and I prefer this) but is closer to our house, but I am wary of large schools. Finally the last choice is boys only and I am not too hot on that.

So to cut a long story short, I am basing the above opinions on very limited information, I don't know what any of the above schools are like and if anyone has some info on any of them I would be deeply grateful. Thanks for reading this.
__________________

x-xRaCheLx-x

I went to Primrose Hill nearly 9 years ago but my youngest sister is still going there. It is indeed a small school, but I wouldnt worry about the Church of England aspect as there is a very relaxed attitude towards religion in the school... as it is such a small school there can be some bullying but I've found that through mine, my 3 younger sisters and family friends' experiences that the level of bullying seems to have decreased over time. Overall it is a very friendly school and the majority of the children seem to love it (whether they will admit it or not!) Hope that is of some help!:)

McGinty

Thanks a million for that, its much appreciated

temp123

Firstly, Primrose Hill is the local Church of IRELAND school. Secondly, lapsed catholics, leaning towards agnostic have almost no chance of getting into this school - so best not to mention that.

There is a 5th primary school in Celbridge called St Patrick's. It is a mixed school and has only been open for a year (I think, maybe 2 years at most). This school will be relocating to a temporary site on the GAA gounds from September while the Dept of Ed looks for a permanant site nearby. I am guessing that this would offer you the best chance of a place.

McGinty

Thanks a million for that, I didn't know about St. patrick's so that is much appreciated.

x-xRaCheLx-x

temp123 wrote: »

Secondly, lapsed catholics, leaning towards agnostic have almost no chance of getting into this school - so best not to mention that..

I don't know what that's supposed to mean but I have known personally people of many different religions having been or are currently in attendance there.

granturismo

temp123 wrote: »

Firstly, Primrose Hill is the local Church of IRELAND school. Secondly, lapsed catholics, leaning towards agnostic have almost no chance of getting into this school - so best not to mention that.

We got refused a place in 2006 because our children werent baptised into one of the protestant religions. I cant remember the exact wording of the letter but it related to the religious ethos of the school. We didnt have a problem with the decision.

Like any school they have admission criteria and there may possibly be places available this year to other/non denominations depending on the number of applicants.

Buffman

You won't go wrong with any of them, I'd go for whatever is handy location wise. My family have experience with both Aghards National School & Scoil na Mainistreach and we turned out ok. (relatively speaking!:))

Unfortunately the way things have been going around here the last few years (lots of house building with no extra infrastructure, like lots of towns) getting a place may not be guaranteed.

McGinty

Thanks for that info buffman, I hope to God he gets a place in one of the schools, I am working (on the hopeful assumption) that one of the schools would have to take him. I have decided to drop St. Primrose of the list, but will look at all the others, I think I will go for the nearest school in terms of walking distance and cross my fingers by sounds of things, thanks everyone.

vincenzo1975

Scoil na Mainistreach is an excellent school. if you are having trouble placing him, try Aine Brady, the Local FF TD, she was a teacher there and could help.

GrahamThomas

Aghards is a fantastic school with some great teachers. Both myself and my sister were pupils there, would have no hesitation in recommending it.

daheff

temp123 wrote: »

There is a 5th primary school in Celbridge called St Patrick's. It is a mixed school and has only been open for a year (I think, maybe 2 years at most). This school will be relocating to a temporary site on the GAA gounds from September while the Dept of Ed looks for a permanant site nearby. I am guessing that this would offer you the best chance of a place.

sorry to drag up an old thread...


Has anybody got any experience of this school? We're looking at it for one of our children this year and want get a feel of peoples experiences with it.

kildarecommuter

We have a child in St Patricks and they love it, the teachers are great wouldnt have any problem recommending it.
Call in and chat to the Principal she is very approachable