“Welcome to the New Midleton CBS Primary!”
Welcome to Midleton CBS Primary School – now proudly co-educational!We are delighted to announce that from September 2026, Midleton CBS Primary will be welcoming girls and boys from Junior Infants to Sixth Class. This is a momentous milestone in our 158-year history and we couldn’t be more excited to share our warm, vibrant school community with all families in Midleton.
At Midleton CBS Primary, academic excellence goes hand-in-hand with a nurturing environment. Our mission is to help every child learn, grow, and thrive – academically, socially, and emotionally. We have a proven record of high academic standards, reflected in excellent student outcomes and awards like the SFI Curious Minds Gold Awards for STEM education. But equally, we believe in educating the whole child: our dedicated teachers foster curiosity, creativity, and kindness in every classroom. Comfortable class sizes and a supportive atmosphere ensure that each child gets the attention they deserve.
What’s New?
- Co-Ed Classes: Starting with our new Junior Infants 2026 intake, we are moving from an all-boys setup to co-educational classes. That means girls and boys will learn together in an inclusive setting that reflects the real world. We know this will enrich classroom discussions and help all our students develop respect and empathy from the earliest years. Our teachers are fully trained and enthusiastic about this positive change.
- Junior Infants Programme: For the first time, we’re opening a Junior Infants class! Our experienced infant teacher(s) have crafted a wonderful play-based learning programme to give our littlest pupils the best start. The Junior Infants classroom will be a bright, welcoming space filled with fun learning stations – from a cozy reading corner to hands-on activity tables and a role-play area. We can’t wait to hear the chatter and laughter of young children in our halls!
- New Early Years Facilities: In preparation for co-education and the addition of infants, we’ve enhanced our facilities. Our campus now features a dedicated soft-surface play area perfect for younger children, with age-appropriate play equipment and a safe environment for exploration. We have also set up a special Nurture Room for any children (infant or older) who might need a quiet, comforting space during the day – part of our commitment to emotional well-being.
Our School at a Glance:
Rich Heritage, Modern Approach: Midleton CBS Primary was founded in 1867 and carries forward a proud tradition of educational excellence. We honor our heritage while continually innovating – embracing the best new teaching methods and technologies. In classrooms you’ll find interactive digital panels and iPads alongside storybooks and art supplies. We blend the tried-and-true with the new, so learning is both deep and engaging
Caring and Inclusive Atmosphere: We are often called “a home away from home.” Our students feel safe, happy, and valued here. With our five autism classes and strong SEN program, children of all abilities learn side by side. We emphasize kindness, respect, and gratitude daily – you’ll see it in how the older students mentor the younger ones, how teachers greet each child in the morning, and how everyone looks out for each other. Bullying has no place here; compassion and friendship are our school’s heartbeat.
Support for Every Child: Our staff goes above and beyond to support each student’s needs. For children who need extra help, we offer literacy and numeracy support, speech and language interventions, occupational therapy strategies in class, and close cooperation with outside specialists. For those who excel and need more challenge, we provide extension activities, competitions, and creative projects. Every child is encouraged to be the best they can be, in an environment where it’s okay to make mistakes and learn from them.
Unique Wellbeing Programs: We place a huge emphasis on wellbeing – because happy children learn best. Our school is a leader in wellbeing initiatives. We were the first mainstream primary school in Cork with a full-time therapy dog on campus. Alfie and his younger canine colleague, Steve, are part of our school family – children adore reading to them, walking them, or just getting a comforting pat during break times. These dogs have brought immeasurable joy and calm to our halls. We also run programs like Roots of Empathy, where a local baby and parent visit throughout the year, teaching children about emotions and caring for others. Mindfulness moments, yoga stretches, and circle time discussions are routine here. We actively teach gratitude and resilience – for example, during our Morning Meetings, students might share something they’re thankful for or praise a classmate.
STEM and Innovation: If your child loves to ask “why?” and “how?”, they will feel right at home here. We are passionate about STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) learning. Our students engage in hands-on science experiments, coding games, and engineering challenges from a young age. Midleton CBS Primary has earned the Science Foundation Ireland Curious Minds Gold Award multiple years in a row, recognizing our whole-school approach to inquiry-based science learning. We hold an annual Space Week, Maths Week and Science Week with cool demos and guest scientists. Our after-school Robotics Club built programmable robots – in fact, our boys (now girls and boys!) have won awards in national robotics competitions.We are always buzzing with Scratch projects and Minecraft or Lego sessions. By the time our pupils leave in 6th class, they have coded animations, built model solar systems, and maybe even designed a winning invention for the Junior Entrepreneur fair!
Arts and Creativity: We believe creativity is as important as academics. Every child at Midleton CBS Primary is encouraged to explore music, art, drama and more. We have a terrific school choir that perform at many local events. Art projects brighten our hallways, and we’ve had winners in contests like the Texaco Art Competition and Doodle4Google. Each year, our 1st Class put on a play –here the stage comes to life with parents delighting in seeing their child perform. World Book Day is a highlight, with costume parades and reading activities. Whether your child is an aspiring artist, a bookworm, or an actor in the making, they will find an outlet here.
Sports and Active Life: Physical activity and sportsmanship are central to our school life. We offer coaching and teams in basketball, athletics, swimming, table tennis,hurling, Gaelic football, soccer, and more. Our trophy cabinet boasts titles from across East Cork in GAA, and our past pupils have gone on to represent Cork (and even Ireland) in sports. But more importantly, we focus on participation for all. From “Skills for Fun” sessions for the little ones to competitive matches for seniors, there’s something for every age and ability. We have an Astro pitch on-site along with a basketball court, so kids are constantly on the move. Our PE program is varied – kids learn everything from dance and gymnastics to orienteering. And thanks to earning the Active School Flag, we integrate movement into the whole day (look out for our active hallway circuits and GoNoodle dance breaks!).
Community Connections: Midleton CBS Primary truly is at the heart of the community. We collaborate with local groups for the benefit of our pupils. Our classes take walking trips to the local library, post office, and even cafes to practice life skills (the buddy system ensures older pupils help mind the younger on outings). We invite community helpers into our classrooms – recent visitors included members of the Midleton Fire Brigade during Safety Week, a local Garda officer who taught 5th class about road safety and cyber safety, and an engineer from a nearby factory who inspired our Science Week. Our parents and families are extremely involved too – an active Parents’ Association helps organise events like our Summer Fair and cultural celebrations. We see school as an extension of family, and parents are welcome partners here, whether volunteering to read a story, coach a team, or simply having a chat with us about their child’s progress. Open communication and partnership with parents is something we highly value.
Come Visit Us:
There’s no better way to feel the atmosphere of Midleton CBS Primary than to step through our doors. We warmly invite prospective parents and children to our Open Morning (date to be announced, Autumn 2025). You’ll meet our staff, tour the classrooms and facilities, and see firsthand what makes our school special. Current students will be on hand as “tour guides” – they are excited to show you our sensory room, the school garden, the nurture room, and maybe even challenge you to a game of giant chess in the yard! If you can’t make the open day, please contact us to arrange a visit at a time that suits you.
In the meantime, please explore our website and our social media pages (@MidletonCBSPrimary) to get a taste of daily life in our school. We regularly post updates and photos – whether it’s a science experiment fizzing, a hurling match win, or Alfie the dog taking a nap in the library, you’ll see the joy and vibrancy that fill our days.
Join the Midleton CBS Primary Family:
If you’re looking for a school that combines academic excellence, a caring community, and opportunities for every child – look no further. Midleton CBS Primary is ready to welcome you and your child. Together, let’s embark on this new journey of learning and growing. We are “Together from the start, together into the future” – come be a part of it!
For enrolment inquiries, feel free to call us at 021-4631419, email office@midletoncbsprimary.ie, or drop by the school office. We look forward to meeting you!