Holy Trinity National School Curriculum

The revised primary school curriculum, which was introduced in 1999, is designed to meet the different educational needs of the child today. The curriculum takes a particular view of the child and of education; it celebrates the uniqueness of the child and seeks to develop each child’s potential to the full.

It provides a wide range of learning experiences that help the child to acquire particular knowledge, ideas and skills that will promote his/her development at every stage.

The curriculum is laid out in seven curriculum areas – some areas consist of just one subject, others contain more than one subject.

There are twelve subjects in all:
- MATHEMATICS
- LANGUAGES ENGLISH
- GAEILGE
- RELIGIOUS EDUCATION
- SOCIAL, PERSONAL AND HEALTH EDUCATION
- SOCIAL, ENVIRONMENTAL AND SCIENCE EDUCATION
- HISTORY
- GEOGRAPHY
- SCIENCE
- ARTS EDUCATION MUSIC
- DRAMA
- VISUAL ARTS
- PHYSICAL EDUCATION

The revised primary school curriculum marks a very significant development in the history of primary education and the culmination of many years’ work by all the partners in education. Its introduction presents all of us with a unique opportunity to effect change and to prepare children for the challenges and opportunities of the new millennium.

The Primary School Curriculum constitutes a detailed interpretation of the recommendations of the Review Body on the Primary Curriculum (1990). It encompasses the philosophical thrust of the 1971 Curaclam na Bunscoile and reflects the thinking and aspirations of the National Convention on Education (1994), the White Paper on Education, Charting our Education Future (1995) and the Education Act (1998).

The revised curriculum incorporates the most advanced educational theory and practice and is designed to enable children to acquire knowledge and skills that are relevant to their lives both as children and adults. As we prepare for the 21st century it is important that the curriculum children experience in primary school is relevant and imaginative and appropriate to their needs.