Spa N.S. is a Catholic School under the patronage of the Bishop of Kerry Ray Browne. It is situated in the heart of the picturesque village of Spa approximately three miles west of Tralee town.
We are a co-educational school catering for children from junior infants to sixth class. Our school has nine mainstream classes, an administrative principal, and three full time special education teachers, two part time SETs and four special need assistants. At present there are 224 pupils on roll.
Here is a brief summary of The History of Spa N.S.
1860’s: The original school was erected in the Spa village in the 1860’s and served the needs of the local community for almost a century. (The building is still in existence and is now used as a workshop by a local carpenter).
1963: As the original building had fallen into disrepair, a new school was built on the present site. (Contractor: O Briens from Tralee)
1980’s: Due to increasing enrolment in the late 70’s and early 80’s two pre-fabricated classrooms were added and an area of ground measuring 0.6 acres adjoining the school grounds was purchased from building contractor Ned O Shea, Tralee to cater for a proper extension. This brought the area of the school grounds to 1.5 acres.
1990’s: In 1993, the new ball court was developed by John Browne, Tralee. In 1995 a major extension to the school was begun, which included the erection of four new classrooms and the refurbishment of the existing building. This work was carried out by Seán Clifford, Castlemaine. The cost of extension was £250,000 approx. The local contribution £38,000 was raised by means of a weekly lottery. The extension was officially opened by the Tánaiste and the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Dick Spring T.D. on the 16th of September 1996.
2000- 2010: This decade saw continued growth in enrolment with the need to acquire two more temporary classrooms. The school now had nine permanent teachers with an enrolment in excess of 190.
2012: The school successfully secured funding from the Department of Education and Skills to build a new extension to the rear of the school. This extension included four new spacious classrooms, a staffroom and a resource room. The extension was completed by Evans and Kellihers Ltd.
2013: The school community began and completed a drive to install an astro turf playing pitch and new tarmac play area in the south eastern quarter of the school site. A new staff car park was also constructed. The school were grateful to receive the support from Churchill G.A.A. Club and the Ryle family in encouraging Kerry County Council to construct a new footpath from the school gate towards Spa village. This greatly helped with parking at key times during the school day.
2014: The Board of Management completed the construction of a new support room in the school building and the installation of an I.C.T facility in the school.
2019: The school community fundraised and completed the purchase of 0.75 of an acre on the southern side of the school site for €25,000.
2022: The Board of Management secured agreement with Kerry County Council for installation of a pedestrian crossing at the front of the school.
2023: The Board of Management received approval for a devolved grant to construct a classroom and two bespoke special education rooms.
