Sport, music, performance, outdoor learning and up to 40 hobbies each term are part of everyday life. These experiences build confidence, friendships and a strong sense of belonging across the school.
A full school experience that goes well beyond the classroom
Life Beyond Lessons
Life beyond the classroom is part of the everyday experience at Castle Park. Pupils take part in a wide range of activities that support confidence, friendships and a sense of belonging, while encouraging them to try new things and build skills over time.
Houses
Every pupil is part of a school house, creating a strong sense of identity and connection across year groups. Through friendly competition, shared events and leadership opportunities, houses build teamwork, confidence and school spirit.
Houses
The Castle Park House System has been part of school life for decades.
Houses are named after people who helped shape Castle Park into the school it is today – Toone, Pringle, Collings and Edwardes Houses. Houses provide pupils with a strong sense of belonging. Regular house events span sport, music, art and science, encouraging participation across a wide range of interests.
Older pupils support and mentor younger pupils, and all 6th Class pupils take on leadership roles within their houses. House points build motivation and teamwork, with the year culminating in Sports Day – the biggest expression of House spirit in the calendar. Have a look at one of our Sports Days
Sport
Sport at Castle Park builds confidence, teamwork and a strong sense of belonging – from weekly lessons to whole-school events like Sports Day.
Sport
Sport is woven into school life at Castle Park – not just as PE on the timetable, but as a year-round part of who pupils are here.
While structured PE and specialist teaching sit within the academic curriculum, sport beyond the classroom is about participation, encouragement and shared experience. Events such as Sports Day bring the whole school together, with pupils supporting one another, celebrating effort and taking pride in their house teams.
These moments matter. They build school spirit, strengthen friendships and give pupils opportunities to challenge themselves in a positive, supportive environment.
Music Lessons & Choir
From first lessons to performances and choirs, music is part of daily life at Castle Park and open to pupils across the school.
Music Lessons & Choir
Music at Castle Park is broad, accessible and taken seriously.
Pupils can begin individual music lessons from Junior and Senior Infants, with a wide range of instruments available as they progress through the school, including piano, guitar, violin, voice, woodwind, brass and drums. All lessons are taught by in-house specialist music teachers who are part of the Castle Park staff team.
Learning is carefully paced. Pupils may begin with taster lessons, move into one-to-one tuition and, where appropriate, work through recognised syllabi such as RIAM (Royal Irish Academy of Music), and ABRSM (Associated Board of Rockschool.)
Performance is a natural part of the experience. Pupils regularly share their work in class, assemblies and concerts, while ensembles and choirs offer opportunities to perform together. Choirs run across age groups, helping pupils build confidence, teamwork and a strong sense of achievement through shared music-making.
What sets Castle Park apart is the scale and quality of provision – comparable to many secondary schools – combined with the ease for families of lessons taking place within the school day.
Forest School
Forest Science School is a structured, weekly programme that builds confidence, resilience and curiosity through hands-on learning outdoors.
Forest School
Forest Science School is a valued and structured part of early learning at Castle Park – not an occasional extra.
Children from Pre-Primary 2 through to Senior Infants take part in weekly Forest School sessions within the school grounds. Our woodland setting offers a calm, natural environment where pupils explore, create, problem-solve and build independence.
Sessions are carefully planned and age-appropriate. Pupils develop communication, social and emotional skills alongside physical coordination and practical problem-solving. Activities range from den building and creative crafts to safe tool use, nature exploration and reflective “sit spots”.
Forest School isn’t separate from learning at Castle Park – it’s an extension of it. Over time, pupils show growing resilience, independence and self-belief.
Hobbies
With up to 40 hobbies each term, pupils can explore sports, arts, creativity and practical skills beyond the classroom. Most hobbies are led by Castle Park teachers – familiar faces, strong relationships.
Hobbies
Castle Park offers an extensive hobbies programme at the end of the school day, running from 3:30pm – 4:30pm.
With up to 40 activities available each term, pupils can explore a wide range of interests – from sport, music and science to debating, chess, computing, sewing, yoga and outdoor adventure.
What makes the programme distinctive is that the majority of hobbies are led by Castle Park teachers, bringing consistency, strong relationships and deep knowledge of the pupils taking part.
Hobbies encourage curiosity, independence and enjoyment of learning for its own sake, while giving pupils the chance to discover interests they may wish to pursue further.
After School Care
A warm, structured end to the day with play, homework support and a hot meal – for pupils staying from 3:30pm.
After School Care
After School Care at Castle Park is designed to feel calm, welcoming and flexible.
Pupils are supported by familiar staff in an environment that balances play, creativity and quieter moments. Each afternoon has a gentle structure, with choice built in so pupils can decide how they spend their time.
Activities range from free play and creative stations to group activities, outdoor play and supervised homework. A hot meal is provided daily for pupils staying later, and older pupils are supported to complete homework before enjoying social or recreational time.
Families tell us that knowing their child is in familiar hands – with the same staff who teach them during the day – makes a real difference.
Performance & Drama
From Pre-Primary concerts to senior musicals, every pupil performs and grows in confidence.
Performance & Drama
Performance is woven through life at Castle Park.
Across the school year, pupils take part in concerts, assemblies, singing competitions, house events and large-scale productions. Opportunities are age-appropriate and inclusive, ensuring every pupil experiences performing in front of an audience.
Drama and performance help pupils develop confidence, communication skills and resilience. Group singing and acting foster teamwork, while regular performance helps pupils feel comfortable being seen and heard.
Facilities include a large music room, assembly hall and stage suitable for full productions. Ask any past pupil what they remember most – the annual musical comes up every time. Have a sneak peek at The Lion King Jnr production.
Trips & Adventures
From Pre-Primary outings to senior adventure trips, experiences are carefully planned and included in fees*.
Trips & Adventures
Trips and adventures are an important extension of learning at Castle Park.
In Pre-Primary, pupils enjoy age-appropriate outings such as pantomimes, farm visits and heritage parks – experiences that build independence, confidence and excitement around learning outside school.
As pupils move through Primary, opportunities expand to include residential adventure trips and international travel. These experiences encourage responsibility, teamwork and resilience, while building the kind of shared experiences that stay with them well beyond Castle Park.
*All trips are included in our school fees with the exception of residential trips.