About Our School
Get to know Portlaw National School: who we are, the people who make it, and the many ways our pupils learn, lead and take part.
Welcome
A place to learn and belong
Portlaw National School is a co-educational primary school in the picturesque village of Portlaw, thirteen miles north-west of Waterford city. The school currently has 212 pupils from Junior Infants up to Sixth Class, including two special classes for Autism.
We know that each pupil is an individual and deserves to be treated as such. We celebrate that individuality by providing a rich and varied learning experience for every single child. Building happiness, confidence and connections is our main focus, because we believe that happy, confident children make the best learners.
Our teachers and staff approach each day with a passion for education, and with empathy and care for your child. We provide resources that help every child progress, using tailored programmes that address individual needs. If you want your child to join a school with a friendly, warm atmosphere, up-to-date technology, a broad sports and arts programme and a genuine focus on your child as an individual, drop in to see what we can offer.
Our People
Meet Our Staff
Portlaw N.S. is lucky to have a group of dedicated, enthusiastic and committed staff who care deeply about every child in the school.
School Leadership
Mainstream Class Teachers
Special Class Teachers
Special Educational Needs (SEN) Team
Special Needs Assistants (SNA) Team
Support Staff
Note for the school: this roster reflects the 2025/2026 staff from your current site. The requisite lists you sent suggest some 2026/2027 class allocations have changed (with two classes still to be confirmed). Send the final 2026/2027 line-up and we will update this section.
Home & School
Parents' Association
What is a Parents' Association?
The Parents' Association is the structure through which the parents in a school can work together for the best possible education for their children. The Parents' Association works with the Principal, staff and the Board of Management to build an effective partnership between home and school.
Educational research shows that when parents work closely with teachers and school staff, children thrive and achieve more. Similarly, teachers can do a better job when they have the support and cooperation of involved parents.
Portlaw N.S. Parents' Association
The Portlaw N.S. Parents' Association has been established for a number of years and plays an essential role in supporting our school, fostering a sense of community and raising much-needed funds to purchase vital resources that enhance the learning experiences for all our pupils.
Over the past number of years we have been lucky to have a group of parents whose support has enabled us to significantly develop our literacy resources, buy equipment for classrooms and outdoor play, renovate our school hall, and contribute to organised activities during the school year.
Join the Parents' Association today and become part of our school community
Whether you can help out with fundraising activities, event planning and organisation, or simply offer your ideas and support, your contribution will be greatly appreciated. Contact the school office on 051 387 454 for further information.
Teaching & Learning
School Curriculum
Portlaw National School follows the Primary School Curriculum set out by the Department of Education and the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA). Across their years with us, pupils learn through a broad and balanced programme that covers language, mathematics, social, environmental and scientific education, the arts, physical education, and social, personal and health education.
Our teachers plan lessons that meet each child where they are, with tailored support so that every pupil can make progress and enjoy their learning.
Innovation in Education
DCU Changemaker Programme
The DCU Changemaker Schools network is run by DCU's Institute of Education to recognise and support schools that put creativity, empathy, teamwork and pupil leadership at the heart of school life. Changemaker schools encourage children to see themselves as people who can make a positive difference in their school and their community.
Sustainability
Green Schools
What is the Green-Schools Programme?
Green-Schools, known internationally as Eco-Schools, is an international environmental education programme, environmental management system and award scheme that promotes and acknowledges long-term, whole-school action for the environment through the Seven Step Methodology. The programme places students at the heart of the initiative by requiring them to form a dedicated Green-Schools Committee to drive decisions.
Portlaw National School and the Green-Schools Programme
We are proud to have been awarded 12 Green Flags since the start of our involvement in the Green-Schools Programme over 15 years ago. We have a long-standing and active Green-Schools Committee that has focused on a range of environmental awareness and sustainability initiatives over the years, under the following themes:
- Litter and Waste
- Energy
- Water
- Travel
- Biodiversity
- Global Citizenship: Litter and Waste
- Global Citizenship: Energy
- Global Citizenship: Marine Environment
Our Green-Schools Committee 2025–2026
To add: the names of this year's Green-Schools Committee members (and a committee photo if available).
Pupil Voice
Student Council
Our Student Council is a group of pupils who are elected by their peers to act as representatives in discussing school issues with their teachers and the principal.
Role of the Student Council
- To enhance communication between students, management, staff and parents
- To promote an environment conducive to educational and personal development
- To promote friendship and respect among pupils
- To support the management and staff in the development of the school
- To represent the views of the students on matters of general concern to them
Student Council 2025–2026
To add: the names of this year's Student Council members (and a photo if available).
Useful Resources
Educational Links
A collection of websites and resources that pupils and parents may find helpful for learning at home.
To add: the school's chosen educational links (for example homework and reading resources, maths and literacy sites, and any subscriptions the school uses). Send the list and we will lay them out as tidy, clearly-labelled buttons here.