Scoil Réalt Na Mara
Ballycotton, Co Cork
As parents of 3 children attending Scoil Realt Na Mara, Ballycotton, we are delighted with the positive experiences and broad education our children get at the school. The experience of learning for them is not just about the academic teaching, but also about the many sports events, activities, environmental initiatives and dramas that they participate in. The teachers and staff are very committed to supporting all the children with extracurricular activities. As a small rural school, in a beautiful coastal setting, the children all get to know each other very well and our children have always found it to be a very friendly environment. Our friendly school bus Driver , Donal, collects them every morning and drops them home every afternoon. The bus service is a great support for us. We highly recommend the school to any prospective families.
Nuala & Aidan
We have always been extremely happy with our choice of school and the support we have been shown by the management and staff - our twins are January babies and we worried that they may have been young starting but all of our worries were put to ease and the twins have been so happy and progressed so much since they started in Sept. 2019! Since schools were closed in March 2020 they have had daily weekday contact from their teacher - video and voice messages, assignments set on Teams, recognition of work completed and reassurances that there was no pressure to get all the work done as it will be covered again next year. Scoil Realt na Mara has all the benefits of a country school...small class sizes, personal and a sense of belonging experiences for students and an integral part of the wider community while also being progressive in terms of technology and current initiatives......not to mention the amazing location!
Finola & Brian
Scoil Realt na Mara has provided an excellent environment for Ronan (2nd Class) to make friends, have fun and learn lots of new things. The friendly atmosphere along with the professionalism and dedication of all the Staff have made the whole school experience very positive for Ronan and for us."
Nora & Gerard
I started my son in Senior Infants at Scoil Realt Na Mara when we moved to Ballycotton. I was worried as he had a great year in Junior Infants at his old school. But I needn't have worried at all as he was made feel so welcome by his new class and teacher. Scoil Realt Na Mara is a great school. The children do a fantastic Christmas concert every year aswell as wonderful Carols. They have a block of swimming lessons & tennis. That's not to mention the beautiful location. Our son is very happy and loves heading into school in the morning.
Sarah &Warren
'I have two children in the school with another one starting soon. As parents we continue to be so impressed with Ballycotton school. The teachers work endlessly to provide a high level of teaching both academically and socially in safe and friendly environment. My children LOVE their teachers and thrive with the smaller class sizes. I am grateful for the school bus that collects and drops my children home each day and I also appreciate how the school incorporates the unique location into the year with cliff walks, beach clean ups and I hear whispers of boat trips out into Ballycotton bay.'
Róisín
Another school year is coming to an end, albeit a strange and unusual one.
Although this year has been disjointed and difficult for both teacher and student, the level of remote support and guidance that I see and the positive engagement from my daughter has been superb. This is in no small part to the way the school creates an environment conducive to effective learning delivered by positive role models, the teachers.
Its so pleasing, as a parent, to hear about how much she enjoys her time in class and the excitement in her voice when she tells me about the activities and learnings from the day.
Thank you, from a proud dad.
Fergal Milne
" We have two children attending the school, 1st class and 4th class, and from first hand experience I would highly recommend to any parent to consider scoil Réalt na Mara as a school for their children in the area. The teaching and support staff are very attentive to needs of the children and place them first in any decisions made, making their time spent in school as enjoyable as possible, from learning through to social activities.
A great school for children to attend in my opinion."
Barry & Corinne
We moved to Ballycotton in 2015. Our middle boy attended Montessori school for a year which is in the same building as Ballycotton National School. Once he was ready for junior infants he just moved to the class next door. This was fantastic, as he was already used to school building and the environment. My son is now in second class and he is very happy at school. From his perspective having great friends and nice, caring teachers, as well as support teachers and staff is the most important thing. For us, parents things which are putting BNS above other schools are: size of the school, allowing teachers develop solid relationships with all parents, caring and inclusive atmosphere, access to additional supports, if needed, good range of activities throughout the year like swimming lessons, sport events, end of year barbeque and staff involvement and dedication. At the minimum I can mention here Miss Irwin, Miss Casey and Miss Power and of course Mary, who is a friend to all. Our youngest boy is going to start school soon and we are very happy he can spend his primary years in such a nice place too.
Brian and Gabriela O'Mahony
Scoil Realt na Mara is a big part of the community in Ballycotton with a lot of parental participation. I am grateful that our children have this caring and supportive environment in which to grow and learn. Small classes with motivated teachers. It has been a very positive experience for us all thus far.
Sarah & Stephen
Living in Ballycotton and having our very own local school in walking distance is a tremendous plus for our family.
Our daughters attend the school and to see the smiles on the faces as they head off each day is of great comfort to us.
There is always a great welcome from the staff and we have found the whole school environment secure, warm and friendly.
The feed back in terms of our girls progression has always been regular and the teaching staff are always on hand to meet
with you as required.
It is really evident that the School is integral to the community and is part of the social fabric. Our girls really enjoy all the extra curricular activities
such as the Yoga, Beech visits, Active week, and the Christmas school concert to name but a few.
We can without hesitation recommend the School.
Máirín & James.
Both my children are very happy in Scoil Realta Na Mara Ballycotton. I think it is an excellent school and I feel that every child is valued as an individual and the teachers strive for each child to reach the best to their potential. i love the fact that all the children know and interact with each other from sixth class to junior infants.
The school is very active and has an active FLAG. It encourages healthy eating, does swimming, yoga and tennis to name but a few activities. It preforms a Christmas play each year where all the children take part which is great for their confidence.
As well as doing all the academic teaching, it is also teaching the children about the environment and is part of the GREEN school programme.
My children do not take part in religious education but the school handles this very well and at no time are either of my children made to feel isolated or left out.
Both my children love doing projects such as Titanic, World War 1, Different Countries, Mock Elections, to name but a few.
I think it is a fantastic school.
Ka Forrest