NATIONAL SCHOOL

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A 'national school' is a type of school.

Contents

England and Wales

Ireland

England and Wales

Historically, a ''national school'' in England and Wales was a school originally established by The National Society ([1]) to teach an Anglican education. British Schools by comparison taught a non-sectarian education.

Ireland

In Ireland a ''national school'' is a particular type of primary school that is not directly financed or administered by the State. Rather, the affairs and policies of the school are managed by local people, often directed by a member of the clergy, through a local ''Board of Management''. Most schools in Ireland fall into this category, which is a pre-independence concept.
National Schools, established with the Stanley Letter in 1831, are legally multi-denominational, but have become erroneaously regarded as denominational schools following local control for many years by local clergy. Recently, the Catholic Church has instructed local schools to adopt a "Catholics First" admissions policy. If this attempt at introducing religious discrimination in National Schools is successful, it will bring the most significant change to National Schools since their foundation.
There are faith schools at primary level in Ireland. These are small in number and in pupils enrolled, and were establsihed mainly by religious orders like the Irish Christian Brothers. There are also commonly recognised multi-denominational schools established by the Educate Together patronage.
Local people are expected to contribute towards capital expenses of the school, whilst teachers' salaries are paid by the state. The day-to-day business of the school is managed by a ''Principal'' or ''Headteacher'', as with other schools. However, the state oversees the curriculum and makes regular inspections to ensure that standards are kept and national policies are followed.

Summary of classes in Irish national schools'''

Class	Typical Ages	Notes
Junior Infants	4-5	Subjects of English, Irish, mathematics, nature, religion, art and physical education are introduced
Senior Infants	5-6
First Class	6-7	Subjects of geography and history are introduced
Second Class	7-8	Catholic pupils usually take First Confession and First Holy Communion in this year
Third Class	8-9
Fourth Class	9-10
Fifth Class	10-11
Sixth Class	11-12	Catholic pupils usually take Confirmation in this year