Schools
Primary Level

Our CNS schools are state-run, co-educational, multidenominational primary schools. They welcome children of all backgrounds, beliefs, and abilities, placing equality and respect at the heart of learning. CNS schools provide a child-centred and active curriculum that nurtures each pupil’s intellectual, creative, social, emotional, and physical development. 

Our CSS schools are designed to meet the needs of students with special educational requirements in supportive and inclusive settings. We work in close partnership with families and professionals to provide a safe, caring environment where every learner can achieve their potential. 

Our Approach 

• Inclusive and respectful of all identities and beliefs 

• Strong focus on wellbeing, creativity, and lifelong learning 

• Partnerships with parents, families, and the wider community 

• A commitment to equality, diversity, and high standards of teaching and learning 

Together, our Community National Schools and Community Special Schools reflect DDLETB’s vision: education for all, in the heart of the community, where every child feels valued and supported to thrive. 

Community National Schools are state, co-educational, multi-denominational schools underpinned by the core values of:

• Excellence in Education;  

• Care; 

• Equality; 

• Community and 

• Respect. 

In Community National Schools, all students are given equal opportunities for enrolment in line with the Education (Admissions to School) Act 2018. Once enrolled, our schools strive to provide all students with equal opportunities to engage with the curriculum and school life. In all aspects of school life all members of our school communities are treated equitably regardless of their race, gender, religion/belief, age, family status, civil status, membership of the Traveller community, sexual orientation, ability or socio-economic status. 

DDLETB Ethos Logo 2022

Community National Schools strive to provide all students with equal opportunities to engage with the curriculum and school life. Our schools provide a safe physical and social environment that reinforces a sense of belonging to the school community and wider society. They strive to enable every student to realise their full potential regardless of any aspect of their identity or background. Our schools promote a fully inclusive education that recognises the plurality of identities, beliefs and values held by students, parents and staff. 

Like all primary schools in Ireland, Community National Schools follow the Primary School Curriculum (NCCA, 1999). As CNSs have a multi-denominational ethos, children also engage in multi-belief and values education curriculum, Goodness Me, Goodness You! (GMGY). 

Goodness Me, Goodness You! (GMGY) is a multi-belief and values curriculum that has been developed for Community National Schools in collaboration with children, parents and teachers of the schools, the local Education and Training Boards, the Education and Training Board of Ireland, the Department of Education and Skills and assisted by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment. 

Launched in 2018 for Junior Infants to 6th Class, GMGY has since been piloted in CNSs nationwide. 

To support its rollout, ETBI, with the GMGY Coordinators’ and CNS Principals’ Networks, created Phase 1 of an Implementation Plan, designed to: 

• Promote GMGY as both a standalone subject and a key part of the multidenominational ethos of CNSs. 

• Deepen schools’ understanding of the curriculum’s vision, aims, strands, and teaching approaches. 

• Build teachers’ confidence to plan, teach, and reflect on GMGY—both in dedicated lessons and across the wider curriculum and school environment. 

You can download the GMGY curriculum in English and Irish here.

There are approximately 3,000 primary schools in Ireland. Although all these schools teach the National Primary School Curriculum (NCCA, 1999) and are funded by the Department of Education, the majority are run by private patron bodies who determine the ethos of the schools. There are only a small number of state-run, state-funded primary schools in Ireland. These schools are called Community National Schools, and they are under the patronage of the Education and Training Boards (ETBs). 

CNS Ireland Map

Community National Schools (CNSs) were established in 2008 as a new model of primary school patronage. The model was established in recognition of the changing face of modern Ireland (DES, 2007). As such, Community National Schools have a multi-denominational ethos which is underpinned by five core values; Excellence in Education, Care, Equality, Community and Respect. 

The Community National School model has grown over the last number of years through the establishment of new schools in areas of demographic growth as well as the reconfiguration of existing schools to Community National Schools through a transfer of school patronage process.