How many pupils are there in each class?
The number of pupils in each class is largely determined by the schedule of appointments issued each year by the Department of Education and Science. At this point (2011), the average number of pupils in each class in the NKETS is 29to 30.
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How many classes are there?
There are eight classes in the school, from Junior Infants to Sixth class. There ae also two special classes for children with Autism.
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What subjects do you teach?
The curriculum followed in the school is the Revised Curriculum laid down by the Department of Education and Science. This is the same as any other Primary school. The main curricular difference is in the teaching of Religious Education as opposed to Religious Instruction. This is what we refer to as the Multi-Denominational Education Programme Read More
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What time does the school open at?
The school opens at 8.40am every day. Classes end for the Infants at 1.20pm and for First to Sixth classes at 2.20pm.
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Are there any extra-curricular activities?
Extra-curricular activities vary from year to year and in the past have included sports such as Olympic Handball, Soccer, and Gaelic Football The school is also used as a practice venue for the Liffey Valley orchestra and many pupils from the school are part of the orchestra. Any parent who wishes to organise an extra-curricular activity can take this up with the Board of Management.
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Do public buses run by the school?
The 67 and 67A buses serve Celbridge village which is a 15-20 minute walk from the school. The Bus Eireann services to Clane, Straffan and Edenderry stop outside St Wolstan's Girls' School which is a 5 minute walk from the NKETS.
There is a subsidised bus service for children who live in outlying areas of Celbridge such as Castletown and Crodaun and for children who live in Leixlip and Maynooth. Parents have to get their children to the nearest pick-up point and please note that this service operates in the morning and at 2.20pm only - it does not operate at 1.20pm.
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What private buses serve the school?
There are a number of local creches who pick children up from the school at 1.20pm and again at 2.20pm. The arrangements change on a year on year basis so contact the office for up to date information.
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Where is the school located in Celbridge?
The school is off the Clane Road, behind St Wolstan's Girls' Community School.
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Is there carparking space for parents?
Yes. There is a public car park just outside the school gate.
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Is there space for children to park their bicycles?
Yes. Children can park their bicycles inside the school grounds.
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Do you have special needs teachers?
Yes. The allocation of Special Needs teachers is determined by the Department of Education based on the number of children enrolled in the school. Some children with specific learnong needs may be accorded individual teaching time and this is on a case-by-case basis. See Staff List
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What is the difference between an Educate Together school and a denominational school?
Check out this link for the answer to this question
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Is religion taught in the school?
Educate Together schools teach religious education. This means that we offer children information about all the major belief systems such as Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Buddhism, Hinduism and Humanism. We do not prepare children to receive sacraments as is the case in Denominational schools. The NKETS does not promote any one religion or belief system.
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What do Catholic parents do if they wish their children to receive First Communion and Confirmation?
There are Catholic Religious Instruction classes held in the school on Wednesday nights. Children who attend these classes can make their First Holy Communion and Confirmation with other local schools. These classes are organised by parents and are completely seperate from the curriculum taught in the NKETS. The Board of Management would be happy to facilitate any other group of parents who wish to organise instruction in their particular faith on the same basis as that currently used by the Roman Catholic group.
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How is misbehaviour dealt with?
Misbehaviour is dealt with by referring to our Code of Discipline and Behaviour. Check this Document
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Is there a fee to send my child to NKETS?
No.
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When should I enrol my child in NKETS?
As soon as you can. Many people enrol their children shortly after birth and we have waiting lists for classes up to 2015.
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When enrolling, do you need any documentation?
We don't need any documentation at the time you enrol your child, but we will need a copy of your child's Birth Certificate if your child secures a place in the school. We never require a baptismal certificate as this is only the practice in Denominational schools.
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When will I know if my child has a place in the school?
We contact parents in January of the year in which their child is due to start school. If we offer a place and don't hear back from you we will offer it to someone else and that place will be lost. If you don't hear from us and believe you should receive an offer, it is up to you to contact the school. It is the responsibility of parents to advise the school of any change in your contact details e.g. address, telephone number etc.
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Can I enrol my child for two separate years?
No.
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How much is it to hire a room in the school?
Our standard charge is €30.00 per room per hour for adult activities and €15.00 per hour for children's activities. The rate for hiring the school hall is €30.00 in either case.
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What secondary schools do the children who go to NKETS subsequently attend?
Pupils from the NKETS attend a large number of Post-Primary schools. Among the most popular would be St Wolstan's and the Salesian College in Celbridge, Colaiste Ciaran and Confey College in Leixlip, Maynooth Post Primary in Maynooth and King's Hospital in Palmerstown. For an extensive list of secondary schools attended by past pupils of NKETS, click here.
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Is there a lot of parental involvement?
Yes. It's one of the features of our school that we welcome and encourage parental involvement at many levels of school life. To learn more, click here
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How many times a week do the children have PE?
The children generally have PE twice a week. Click here to see our PE hall.
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Is music taught in the school?
Yes. Music is one of the subjects in the Revised curriculum and therefore it is taught in the NKETS. We hold an annual Music Week in the first term at which we invite performers into the school and run a talent show for the children, amongst other things. This is a good opportunity for parents to share their love of music with the children in the school. Click here to hear some examples of singing from the 2005 graduation ceremony. To read about Music Week 2006, click here.
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Is there another language taught in the school apart from English and Irish?
No.
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