Educate Together National Schools are a specific type of state-funded primary school in Ireland. They are part of the National School system that was established in 1831 and which, together with the Special Schools, comprises all State-funded primary education in Ireland.

All National Schools, whether Roman Catholic, Protestant, Islamic, Jewish or Educate Together schools, are funded by the State on an equal basis. They operate the same National Curriculum, follow the same Rules for Boards of Management and are staffed by teachers who have the same level of professional qualifications and recognition.

In the denominational schools that constitute the majority of National Schools in Ireland, the Patron is usually the Bishop of the religion concerned, but in an Educate Together National School, the Patron is a company limited by guarantee whose activities are regulated by its Memo and Articles and the Companies Acts and whose decisions are made at General Meetings of its members.

Where schools differ from each other is in their “ethos”. The ethos of a school describes its spirit and character. This is built upon its aims and objectives and its policies and procedures and should be reflected in all interactions within the school community. Thus, the ethos of a school impacts strongly on the kind of education delivered to its pupils. Griffeen Valley Educate Together National School is part of a network of schools that guarantee equality of access and esteem to children “irrespective of their social, cultural or religious background”. We have an obligation to put our students at the centre of everything we do.

Educate Together National schools do not teach about any particular religion, instead we teach ethical education.

This is done through a programme is called ‘Learn Together’. There are four strands in the Learn Together curriculum:

1. Moral and Spiritual Development
2. Equality and Justice
3. Belief Systems
4. Ethics and the Environment

You can find out more about our own Learn Together programme here.

Educate Together Schools commit to upholding the following principles:

• Equality-based i.e. all children having equal rights of access to the school, and children of all social, cultural and religious backgrounds being equally respected;
• Co-educational and committed to encouraging all children to explore their full range of abilities and opportunities;
• Child-centred in their approach to education;
• Democratically run with active participation by parents in the daily life of the school, whilst positively affirming the professional role of the teachers.

You can find out more about Educate Together schools here.