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Academics
The Headfort Difference
We understand that all children learn in different ways and at different paces and this is why we do things differently at Headfort.
We believe that the attributes we instil in our young people, matter just as much as their academic prowess, and so it is that we work assiduously to balance both. To build in them resilience, respect, kindness, curiosity and courage. So that they may embrace failure, love one another, extend the hand of friendship, ask hard questions and take risks with their learning and play.
We believe that in rewilding their education, we are giving them time in the trees to study, to think and to grow which is equally, if not more important, than the time they spend in their textbooks.
We believe our forests, and our students’ curation and care of them will teach them as much about biology, about nature, about life, as any book ever could, and we know that the irreplaceable notion of time spent in the wild outdoors will provide them with a perspective they will need to find inner peace in their lives.
In Partnership with Parents
At our school we believe in Parent Partnership, in sharing in the learning journey of every child we are privileged to have at Headfort.
This partnership is built on shared understanding in a space where we work collaboratively and compassionately. Our parents are engaged and energised, working with us to advance our mission and achieve our vision.
We believe that in sharing our strategy, in understanding the why, and in asking the big questions, together we can forge a future generation of thinkers; those whose journey began in a quiet corner of Kells, but who, with the Headfort Spirit tucked neatly into their toolkits, stepped bravely into the world with a confidence born of the experiences the could only ever have here.
Early Years
An Unrushed Childhood:
Junior Infants to First Form
Commencing at the age of four, the Early Years Programme spans Junior and Senior Infants and Form 1. It is a time of rich learning through discovery, through exploration and through understanding. It is deliberately slow, and centred on the students’ voice and choice in their learning.
The children learn in the Old Forge, next to the horse stables, where they spend time imagining, playing and experiencing life in a rural setting.
There is an emphasis on courageous play, making considered choices, and learning that through listening, we can understand what is right and what is wrong.
The learning programme is play-based, but its academic rigor is tied to a strong emphasis on literacy and numeracy and learning these through real-life experience. For example, the children may go to the forest to count leaves, walk to the ballroom to look at portraits for art, or perform a play based on their passion projects.
We are deliberate in our design of the Early Years – keeping the classes no bigger than 15 students and providing a teaching assistant who works closely with the Class Teacher to support the development of every child.
Junior Years
An exploration in identity - Second Form to Fourth Form
As students enter Second Form, they understand the beginnings of the Headfort Journey. They know they have a voice, and they are taught how to use it in the classroom and beyond.
In the Junior Years students are introduced to how they learn, and who they are as learners – they are aware of their strengths and areas for improvement, and together, with parents, we work to develop the profile of each student as a learner. We underpin the Junior Years with evidenced based approaches to education, that introduce students to their data, and enable them to see their growth through a focus on mastery.
We build on student agency in the Junior Years through a robust learning program, that begins with the introduction, in Form 3, to The Long Day. It is here that we begin to explore Science, Drama, Music, and the Social Sciences in greater depth. As a result of these additions, by Form 3 our students are becoming aware of the disciplines that challenge them, and the focus they need to have to grow.
Senior Years
An adventure in autonomy – Fifth form to Senior One
Our Senior Years progamme challenges our students to develop autonomy and a greater level of independence in their learning. It is here, as they embark on their final years at the school, that they learn to use their voice to articulate their understanding of the world around them, to challenge ideas, and to choose what they would value learning more about.
The curriculum is a fluid one, and the students enter an inquiry approach to learning that enables them to focus on a project that enhances their understanding of a unit of work, this is especially important in the Senior One Programme.
The small class sizes, again allow for the teacher to be agile, to be adaptable and to take the learning experiences off the beaten track to accommodate the needs of all, and to ensure they are valued for the individual’s they are.
Senior One
This truly unique and bespoke programme is offered to students who may have finished Sixth Form but are not yet be ready for the leap into Junior Cycle.
A student who may be young for their cohort, or in need of additional support to develop the skills needed to tackle secondary school. Senior One focuses on students’ knowledge and its application through an inquiry model. It allows for the development of confidence and competence through a student-centred academic program, that bridges not only the gaps in their learning but their confidence and creativity. Our data informed approach, means that emphasis is placed on areas of improvement, and application of knowledge, and this is done through a deliberately small class, that will not exceed 15 students.
The Senior One Programme provides the space for students to also build their social skills, to learn how to develop their confidence in a safe space that celebrates their uniqueness, while building their academic strengths in an environment that encourages students to reach for their learning.
EAL
English as an Additional Language at Headfort is offered to students in our boarding house and day students who may be new to Ireland and the English language.
Held outside of the school week, on a Saturday, this programme enables our students to focus for the duration of the day, and at the instruction of highly trained EAL teachers, develop their language proficiency.
Students who are planning on studying at Headfort, will undergo a language assessment prior to arrival, to enable us to develop an individualised language programme and target them at their point of need.
To learn more about the tools of assessment we use for our EAL learners, please contact the Headfort Office at office@headfortschool.com
School Calendar
To understand our school year, please click this link to view our school calendar for the academic years 2025 – 2026 and 2026 – 2027.
To learn more about the school, or to request a tour, please contact the Admissions Office at admissions@headfortschool.com
