The King’s Hospital School is a voluntary, Church of Ireland, co-educational, secondary school for boarders and day students, which offers a broad academic curriculum and a wide range of extracurricular activities.
MISSION
Our mission is to provide a holistic and supportive community that inspires and educates each generation, to enrich the world we live in.
ETHOS
We are a close-knit and dedicated community, grounded in Church of Ireland values of respect, courage, and inclusivity, that is committed to learning and self-development. We embrace diversity and welcome young people and adults regardless of difference into our school community.
A SHORT HISTORY
The King’s Hospital School was founded in 1669 in Dublin city. It was first located in Queen Street, Oxmantown and in 1783 moved to a new building at Blackhall Place, which is now home to the Law Society of Ireland.
Between 1957 and 1966, The King’s Hospital acquired two small schools – Morgan’s and Mercer’s – which contributed to a growth in pupil numbers and a need for additional space. In 1970, the school made a final move – relocating to an 80-acre site on the banks of the River Liffey at Brooklawn in Palmerstown, Co Dublin.
Known for much of its history as The Blue Coat School, it is one of the oldest secondary schools in Ireland. That it survived and thrived down through the centuries is testament to its tremendous resilience and leadership.
Our school crest with its three burning castles is based on the Dublin City crest and features the original name of the school, as it appeared in the founding charter.
The school celebrated its 350th anniversary in 2019 with a wonderful calendar of events for the whole school community beginning and ending in St Patrick’s Cathedral.
President Michael D Higgins
I am delighted to send my best wishes to the pupils and staff of Kings Hospital School as you celebrate your 350th anniversary.
For three and a half centuries Kings Hospital School has been rising to the challenges of an ever changing and evolving Ireland, constantly committing and dedicating itself to the needs of the pupils in its charge. It has been not only a place of study, but also a place where talents, interests and ambitions have been discovered, nurtured and developed. Renowned for its great sporting achievements, Kings Hospital School is a fine example of the celebration of inclusion and diversity.
Generations of Irish children have spent their formative years in Kings Hospital School and many of them have gone on to make a significant mark in their communities, their workplaces and their wider society. Today past pupils, now located all over the world, remain united in a great affection and gratitude for the wonderful start in life they received at Kings Hospital, which continues to play a central role in the life of the Palmerstown community and its surrounding areas. I hope you will continue to build many happy memories of your years at the school, whether as a dedicated teacher or very fortunate pupil. I congratulate everyone involved with Kings Hospital School on this very special occasion and I wish you all every success for the future.
Michael D Higgins
Past pupil Leo Varadkar TD – Former Taoiseach of Ireland
I have always thought that the best schools are really small communities made up students, staff, parents and past pupils. King’s Hospital is a great school. It provides an environment where students are encouraged to reach their full potential, both inside and outside of the classroom, and I will always be grateful for the education I received and the role it played in my life.
My own days in KH were very happy. I loved being challenged academically as well as being given the opportunity to try different things. I enjoyed debating – a skill that proved useful in later life – and won the Anderson medal for oratory in my final year.
Senior Leadership Team
The role of the SLT is to realise the school’s mission through the daily management and running of the school. They lead and support staff to implement strategies in teaching and learning, staff development, safeguarding, wellbeing, and school improvements. They strive to ensure the day-to-day running of the school is underpinned by its values and ethos.
In attendance
Headmaster/Principal
Deputy Head Pastoral
Deputy Head Academic
Director of Performing Arts
Director of Sport
Assistant Head Community
Head of Finance & Operations
Head of HR
Head of Marketing, Communications & Admissions
Digital Services Manager
Board of Governors
The Board of Governors was established under the school’s Royal Charter. It is our patron body, and the governors act as trustees to maintain our founding ethos.
The board appoints our principal, chaplain and head of finance and operations. It is responsible for capital expenditure and has a finance committee to establish the annual budget.
The governors elect representatives to our Board of Management, and the chairman of the Board of Governors is also chairman of the Board of Management.
Chairman of the Board
Angus Potterton
Deputy Chair
Ken Peare
Board of Governors
- David Jermyn
- Fionnuala Gilmartin
- Inez Cooper
- James Somerville
- Jonathan Moore
- Michael de las Casas
- Neil Squires
- Patricia Orr
- Rebecca Johnson
- Richard Tyrell
- Roger McGreal
- Sue Baird
- Andrew KcKee
- Archbishop of Armagh
- Archbishop of Dublin
- Archbishop of Meath & Kildare
Board of Management
The Board of Management is responsible for the conduct and management of the school as set out in the Articles of Management for the Board of Management of The King’s Hospital School, except for the powers reserved to the Board of Governors (the Patron), in accordance with the obligations on it by Section 14.(1) of the Education Act.
Board of Management –
- Angus Potterton – Chairman – Chairman Ex-officio
- Myles O’Donoghue – Day Parent Representative
- Jonathon Saint – Boarding Parent Representative
- Michael de Las Casas – Governor
- Ken Peare – Governor
- Richard Tyrrell – Governor
- Dr Patricial Orr
- Oliver Malone – Staff Representative
- Annabel Browne – Staff Representative
In Attendance
- Mark Ronan – Headmaster
- Tony Kearney – Head of Finance and Operations
- Cormac Ua Bruadair – Deputy Head Pastoral
- Siobhan Daly – Deputy Head Academic
Student Leadership
At The King’s Hospital School, we believe that every child should achieve his or her potential intellectually and socially, through personal endeavour and with the support of staff, students, parents and governors.
Our supports are based on key structures: the Board of Governors, Board of Management, School Leadership Team, staff, prefects, mentors and the Student Council.
Prefects
Student Prefects are appointed each year in Form 6, through an application process by the student, in consultation with all staff.
A male and female student from the prefect applications will be selected as Head Boy and Head Girl.
All prefects work closely with the Year Heads and Boarding House Teams, to promote a safe, respectful and supportive atmosphere, in all areas of school life.
Mentors
Student mentors are chosen in consultation with staff leaders from a list of Form 4 students who have made a formal application for the post. Mentors are assigned to each year group to support new and existing students and are ambassadors for the school at many events throughout the year.
Student Council
Our Student Council plays an integral role in student leadership in our school. Students, from Forms 1-5, are democratically elected to the council each year.
The council meets regularly to discuss issues that concern students.
The Student Council is proactive in organising events such as the Talent Show and Blue Coat Day – an event celebrating the whole school community.
