Best Primary schools D6

Legodough

Hi,
I'm wondering what the best options are for primary schools in Dublin 6. My little one is fairly advanced, I know but his creche even says it, so I want to make sure he won't get bored and am really looking for somewhere that can nurture him.
Any experience or advice very much appreciated!

byhookorbycrook

Define "best?" And not being dismissive, but "advanced " how, exactly?I work with many exceptionally able children, but also meet people who think their little one is academically gifted, but itsn't! The DES makes no accommodations for exceptionally able children, so it comes down to the individual school or sometimes ,the individual teacher.

Legodough

Thanks byhookorbycrook, I suppose 'exceptionally able' would be more in line with what I mean: sharp, very quick to pick things up and understand, very large vocabulary and ability with numbers and sums etc.
I suppose I'm looking for somewhere with a good academic track record and focus on individual guidance. Maybe I'm being idealistic and not sure if I'm even making sense.
I just feel those first few years are so important and as he seems so hungry to learn everything possible I want to channel that correctly and not run the risk of him becoming bored the first 2 years.
Am I being over bearing? Welcome any positive / negative feedback as he's my first and just feel pretty clueless.

Big Bag of Chips

My lad was (is) of exceptional ability. Had taught himself to read before starting Junior Infants. Was able to do addition, subtraction and even a bit of multiplication and division. Was assessed in 1st class, I think, as being on the 99th percentile etc.

But even with that, he wasn't bored in school. Because learning was his "thing", then he loved learning. He knew how to do the maths his way, and always got the answer quicker than me doing it my way! But he loved listening to the teacher explaining a different way of getting the answer. Even as far up as 6th class, he would insist on working things out his way just to keep things interesting, and luckily he had teachers who got him! I often asked him how he was getting on, and he'd say he worked something out with a different method, and the teacher was always happy, so long as he also showed them that he could do it the way they were being taught.

In 8 years of primary school he only had 1 bad year where he and the teacher clashed. So I wouldn't think he was in 'the best' primary school in the area.. He was in 'the only' primary school in the area. But the teachers understood what he needed and were happy to let him do his thing.

As byhookorbycrook says, there is no provision for exceptionally able kids, so it's up to them to stimulate themselves, and if they can do that without being disruptive to the class, then teachers generally are happy to facilitate them as much as is reasonable.

byhookorbycrook

Legodough wrote: »

Thanks byhookorbycrook, I suppose 'exceptionally able' would be more in line with what I mean: sharp, very quick to pick things up and understand, very large vocabulary and ability with numbers and sums etc.
I suppose I'm looking for somewhere with a good academic track record and focus on individual guidance. Maybe I'm being idealistic and not sure if I'm even making sense.
I just feel those first few years are so important and as he seems so hungry to learn everything possible I want to channel that correctly and not run the risk of him becoming bored the first 2 years.
Am I being over bearing? Welcome any positive / negative feedback as he's my first and just feel pretty clueless.

I wouldn't worry about an "academic track record" in early primary- he is bright and will learn (sometimes despite the school!) I'd be more focused on what individual attention and support the school can offer.
Infant years are generally ok, as the child is usually happy with the new social context and Aistear allows him/her to engage in play based learning at his/her own level.


I'm prefacing the next bit by saying I work in a Gaelscoil- but am trying to be honest - learning through Irish (or any second language) can provide extra challenges for the child with EA and keep them stimulated, so might be worth considering. If that's not his/your thing, consider doing a musical instrument or second language outside the classroom.



I'd take a look at the various schools around you and have a gander at their websites to see what kind of things they are involved in. Just remember that a website is the school advertising itself too. though. Likewise, if you meet with principals. they will be "selling" the school, but you will get an overall feel for the school.
You can find all the D6 schools here- have a look at the WSE (whole school evaluation) reports on each one too. It seems there are a number of private schools so they won't have WSE reports as they are not under the DES inspectorate.



Don't forget too, that you need to think about what secondary schools the primary feeds into- mad in some ways to need to be thinking about it before your child starts, but it can be an issue in Dublin.



As a final word of caution,we teachers can be a bit sensitive about the "bored" word-some seem to take it as a criticism of them as an individual and become personally insulted!

Legodough

Thanks Bigbagofchips, that's really encouraging to hear!

Legodough

Thanks byhookorbycrook,
Great advice 're second language and am hoping for a gaelscoil so if it doesn't work out an after school language is a great idea!
Yes I appreciate your point about the 'bored' word and possible unmeant implications. I need to be more diplomatic as i certainly have much respect for teachers, especially of the younger age groups. I don't know how you guys do it!