Arden Boys National School
Tullamore, Offaly
Key facts
- DEIS
- Boys
- Pupils enrolled
- 215 larger than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 19713S the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Arden Boys’ National School is a DEIS Band 1 all‑boys primary school situated in the Arden View housing estate in Tullamore, County Offaly. The school caters for pupils from third to sixth class and works closely with its feeder, St Joseph’s Junior School, which shares the same campus. A collaborative team of mainstream teachers, special‑education teachers, a dedicated Phoenix class, and support staff provides a nurturing environment that aims to develop children intellectually, physically, culturally and emotionally. The school places a strong emphasis on digital inclusion and innovative learning. A 2021 grant under the Irish National Recovery and Resilience Plan funded the acquisition of digital devices and the introduction of STEAM projects, including robotics (VEX IQ), coding, and digital portfolios. These resources support numeracy, problem‑solving and literacy across the curriculum. Recent enhancements such as a new school hall, additional special‑education rooms, a sensory (Nurture) room, and a soft‑play area further enrich the learning experience, offering a modern, inclusive setting for pupils to thrive.
History
The school opened as a boys’ primary school in September 1980 with a small teaching team. In its early years it comprised four single classrooms and two shared‑area rooms, expanding to four single classrooms later on. By the early 1990s enrolment had reached 268 pupils with eight class teachers. In 1992 the school was granted disadvantaged status and a concessionary post. A major refurbishment in 2002 added a perimeter fence and updated facilities. The Phoenix class and a prefabricated extension, together with a soft‑play area and a sensory (Nurture) room, were introduced in 2021, followed by the opening of a new school hall and three additional special‑education rooms in 2022, reflecting ongoing investment in the school’s infrastructure and resources.
Applying to Arden Boys National School
For a September 2027 place, a school's formal admissions process cannot begin before 1 October 2026. The school sets its own opening and closing dates in its annual admission notice.
National term dates 2026/27
Irish schools follow a standardised school year, so these nationwide primary school dates apply broadly to Arden Boys National School. Individual schools set their own discretionary closure days, confirm exact dates with the school.
- October Mid-Term Break: Mon 26 Oct – Fri 30 Oct 2026
- Christmas Holidays: Wed 23 Dec 2026 – Tue 5 Jan 2027
- February Mid-Term Break: Thu 18 Feb – Fri 19 Feb 2027 (post-primary schools: Mon 15 Feb – Fri 19 Feb 2027)
- Easter Holidays: Mon 22 Mar – Sun 4 Apr 2027
Primary schools close for the last two days of the February mid-term week and may use discretionary days to take the full week, so their break can be shorter than post-primary schools'.
Frequently asked questions about Arden Boys National School
How many pupils attend Arden Boys National School?
Arden Boys National School has 215 pupils enrolled. That makes it larger than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Arden Boys National School a DEIS school?
Yes. Arden Boys National School is part of DEIS, the Department of Education programme called Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools. DEIS schools serve communities at risk of educational disadvantage and receive additional supports, which can include smaller classes, extra teaching posts and funding for books and meals.
What is the ethos of Arden Boys National School?
Arden Boys National School has a Catholic ethos. It is a boys' primary school.