Curriculum

In our small school, we get to know each student personally, to understand his strengths, learning style and to build a collaborative relationship with him. In our teaching we aim to help, stimulate, and challenge each student, and this aim is supported by regular assessment and reporting. Evening Supervised Study encourages students to work on their own and to develop into active learners, while providing enough structure to make that happen.

The curriculum is broad and balanced. In First Year, students have the opportunity to sample all Junior Certificate subjects. Our examination results are excellent across a wide ability range and an overwhelming majority of our students go on to study at university. We aim to foster curiosity, creativity and critical thinking, leading to a life long love of learning and growth.

Boarding

Boarding fosters a small, friendly and caring home from home community in the school and helps nurture confidence, cooperation and friendships for life. The school is divided into three houses (Junior, Inter, Senior) enabling Housemasters to provide age appropriate care to each group of students. Each House has dormitories, toilet/shower facilities (in individual cubicles), a common room and pantry.

Students are kept busy throughout the week with class time, sports, music, clubs, societies and supervised study. At weekends, both on site and offsite House activities are organised , including sporting, social and adventure activities.

On Sunday mornings, boarders celebrate the Sunday Eucharist with the monastic community. Sundays provide an opportunity for parents to visit their son and perhaps go out for the afternoon. In addition to school holidays, there are regular exeat weekends, where boys go home for a long weekend, from Friday lunchtime through to Monday evening. There is flexibility to make additional weekend trips home, these can be arranged in communication with the school.

First Year September 2025

Contact us for more information and to hear about upcoming events.

Make an enquiry, attend an upcoming event or request a school visit to learn more about life at Glenstal and the admissions process.

Care & Guidance

During their time at Glenstal, students are cared for through the daily collaboration of a dedicated staff, including the Headmaster, Teachers, Housemasters, Nurses, Chaplains, Guidance Counsellors, Office, Housekeeping and Catering staff, working alongside parents and guardians.

Educational and vocational guidance aims to empower students to recognise their many skills and talents and to enable them to make informed decisions about
their future. Personal guidance includes counselling for students in crisis and helps the student to explore coping strategies and interventions in a caring way that is appropriate to their individual needs.

Nutrition

Breakfast, a three course hot lunch, afternoon snack and supper are served from a tasty and varied menu designed by our Chef and freshly prepared in our kitchens each day. There is a vegetarian option at each meal.

The menu is designed with hungry, growing boys in mind, to provide the nutrition and energy they need for their day. The Student Council are regularly asked to provide feedback on the menu.

International Students

At Glenstal we welcome students from all over the world, including the Irish diaspora. The school is just 30 minutes from Shannon Airport, which provides regular flights to all London airports and many US Cities. Dublin Airport can be accessed in around 2 1/2 hours. The school office arranges ground transportation to both airports for international students.

International students require a guardian based in Ireland to act in loco parentis for your son whilst he is in Ireland. A host family may also be required to accommodate your son during exeat weekends, when the school is closed. There are a number of independent local providers of these services.