Introduction to St. Cronan's Junior National school.

St. Cronan's Junior National School is located in Brackenstown parish in Swords, Co. Dublin. The school was founded in 1972 with classes moving into the main school building in 1974. The latest extension to the school was completed in 2004. St. Cronan's caters for boys and girls from junior infants to second class and has, at present, an enrolment of 620 pupils. The school is under the patronage of the Archbishop of Dublin.

The 36 teaching staff in St. Cronan's J.N.S. includes language support teachers, learning support teachers, resource teacers, a special needs teacher and, at present, 23 mainstream teachers. A shared resource teacher for children of the travelling community is based in the Senior School but operates across the two schools. In addition St.Cronan's J.N.S. employs 9 special needs assistants, a full time secretary, a part time secretary, a caretaker and cleaners.

Most of the children enrolled in St. Cronan's J.N.S. come from the Brackenstown parish which is comprised in the main of well established communities. The school has a number of international students and has a long tradition of inclusive engagement with children of the travelling community. The school caters for a number of children with special educational needs in a mainstream setting. A specialist class for children with Autistic Spectrum disorder opened in October 2007. The class caters for 6 children.

The mission statement of St. Cronan's J.N.S. is clearly stated and informs the philosophy, aims and vision of the school. It was drawn up following a consultation process involving the board of management, parents and teachers.

St. Cronan's Junior National School has a catholic ethos, which strives to nurture each child to develop his or her potential in a caring environment.