Boarding School for Primary-Age Children, Ireland

Headfort School:
A non-denominational day and boarding private school in Co. Meath providing primary education for boys and girls aged 4-13, Headfort is situated in stunning parkland just outside the ancient town of Kells (in the eastern region of Ireland, close to Dublin). We provide an outstanding all-round education centered on individuality and academic excellence. Boarding is available for children aged 9-13 years (Dublin International Airport is just one hour away, making Headfort School very accessible and safe for international students availing of our boarding facilities).

Since its establishment over 70 years ago, Headfort set itself apart in its liberal approach to education with small classes and specialist teachers. Having undergone a reincarnation in 2020, this co-educational and non-denominational school offers outstanding primary education for both day and boarding pupils where sport and extra curricular activities form an integral part of each school day.

Set among 60 acres of stunning grounds and with the unique backdrop of a Robert Adam-designed interior just a mile from the ancient town of Kells, Headfort inspires independence in children, whilst maintaining strong academic credentials.

Children are regularly prepared for entry and scholarships to leading secondary schools in the locality and around Ireland and the UK including, recently, Eureka, St. Patrick’s Classical School, Alexandra College, Clongowes Wood College, St. Columba’s College, Cheltenham Ladies’s College, Eton College, Marlborough College and The King’s Hospital.

Headfort encourages individuality in children. We aspire to academic excellence whilst providing a place where strong and enduring relationships are able to flourish from an early age.

Our setting allows an unrushed childhood. Encouraging a broad approach to learning: an all-round education. And yet it also ensures that each and every child can perform to the best of their academic ability.

Kindness and empathy are central to the ethos of our Early Years program and a form of mindfulness is also practised at this stage.

Children may board from 3rd Form and this encourages an internationally diverse student body with pupils from Spain, France, Mexico, Germany, Russia and many other countries regularly joining for one or several terms. Flexi (maximum 2 nights a week) and ‘ sleep-overs’ for day pupils are welcomed.​

There are dedicated staff who create a home-from-home atmosphere for residential students and are attentive to any potential problems or homesickness that might arise. As befitting our close and small community there is a longstanding tradition of boarders being frequently welcomed home by their friends at weekends.

Pastoral:  An enormous emphasis is placed on the mental wellbeing of pupils from the Montessori up to 6th Form. We believe that the key to happy and resilient children is for them to understand the concept of responsibility and manners early on so this is fostered from the earliest days at Headfort.

Form teachers monitor the individual progress of each child and our small size allows us to understand all of our pupils thoroughly. Teachers are always approachable to listen to pupils regarding any problems that might present themselves and there is a weekly staff meeting at which concerns can be discussed.

Healthy Food: The school has a dedicated chef and offers a balanced menu for all our pupils from Junior Infants up.

- Carpentry, Cookery, Speech & Drama and Music (all instruments are catered for and there is an exceptional school choir and concerts several times a year).

- Drama is also a popular activity with multiple productions taking place in the school theatre each year.​

- Music: There is also a dedicated band room allowing for a more idiosyncratic take on the performing arts and Headfort bands frequently entertain the other pupils.

- Sports: The core sports played at Headfort are Rugby, Hockey, Cricket, Basketball and Softball or Rounders and matches are frequently played against other schools. Tennis, Golf and Swimming are all optional extra choices for Prep School children.

- Horse Riding: Headfort is also unique in its ability to offer riding as an extra-curricular activity with beautiful and extensive grounds, a full cross-country course and a purpose-built outdoor ménage. Many children choose to stable their ponies at school and some of our more accomplished riders have competed in national competitions.

- Explore the Great Outdoors: The landscape around Headfort provides an expansive ‘playground’, from the classical topiary at the front of the house to the ‘forts’ in the woods to the back, where children are encouraged to play and explore safely.