Headfort School
Secular
Updated July 2026
Headfort School is Ireland’s only day and boarding primary school, offering a bespoke and vigorous curriculum set within a historic estate in Kells, County Meath. It focuses on fostering human connection, individual uniqueness, and an unrushed childhood through a blend of classroom and outdoor learning.
Curriculum
Teaching approach
Headfort School prioritizes the emotional and social development of its students, fostering attributes such as resilience, respect, kindness, curiosity, and courage. It advocates for an "unrushed childhood," balancing academic rigor with experiential learning in nature. The school emphasizes student agency, small class sizes, and a collaborative partnership with parents to support each child's unique learning journey.
Programmes
The academic programme is divided into three stages: the Early Years (Junior Infants to Form 1), which is play-based and focused on literacy and numeracy; the Junior Years (Second to Fourth Form), which introduces student agency and "The Long Day" in Form 3; and the Senior Years (Fifth Form to Senior One), which emphasizes autonomy and inquiry-based learning. The curriculum covers the Arts, Environmental Studies, Philosophy, Humanities, Physical Education, English, Mathematics, Languages, and Science. A specialized Senior One programme is available for students needing additional preparation before secondary school.
Student support
Learning support
The school offers an English as an Additional Language (EAL) programme for boarding and day students new to Ireland. This programme is held on Saturdays and provides individualized language instruction based on a prior language assessment. Additionally, the Senior One programme is designed for students who may require extra support to develop the necessary skills and confidence before transitioning to secondary school.
Frequently asked questions(3)
- Is Headfort School a day or boarding school?
- Headfort School is a day and boarding school.
- Is Headfort School co-educational?
- Headfort School is a co-ed school.
- Where is Headfort School located?
- Headfort School is an international school in Navan, Ireland.
Tuition & fees
No published fee schedule was found for this school.
Admissions
Headfort School accepts applications for all forms, though early application is recommended for the Senior Years Programme. Day pupils must visit the school before entry, and applications for day places are accepted from October 1 in the year preceding entry, while boarding applications may be made a year earlier. The school maintains small class sizes, with an average of 12 students and a cap of 15 in Junior and Senior Infants and Senior One. Prospective families are invited to arrange an Experience Day or a tour by contacting the admissions office.
Calendar
The school provides a detailed academic calendar for the 2025–2026 and 2026–2027 academic years, which is available for review on the school's website.
Facilities
About the campus
The school is situated on expansive grounds in Kells, County Meath, featuring tennis courts, rugby fields, and ancient Magnolia and Beech trees. The main house, designed by architect Robert Adams, serves as the primary learning environment and includes a boarding house. Younger students learn in the Old Forge, located near the horse stables, while other areas of the campus, such as the ballroom and apple orchards, are utilized for various academic and artistic activities.
