Wilson's Hospital School
Encyclopedia
Wilson's Hospital School is a co-educational boarding school
located in County Westmeath
, Ireland
. The school caters for approximately 400 students and whilst most of the school's students are boarders there is also a sizable number of day pupils in attendance. As the diocesan secondary school of the Diocese of Meath and Kildare, Wilson's Hospital School operates under a Church of Ireland
ethos, which is reflected in the majority of its students. Students of all other faiths are welcome however. The School operates a seven-day boarding week and a five-day teaching schedule which allows boarders the option of returning home at weekends or remaining at the school, to avail of the weekend activity programmes. The day boarding pupils of Wilson's Hospital School are drawn from surrounding areas and participate fully in the life of the school. Academically, the school offers an extensive range of subjects up to higher Leaving Certificate
standard.
, cricket
and hockey
. It is one of Ireland’s longest established Rugby Schools and the earliest recorded team captain dates back to 1840. Soccer, basketball
and athletics are also very popular.
The school became co-educational in 1969 when it was amalgamated with the Preston School from Navan
. which gives the newer classroom block its name 'The Preston Building'
The grounds of the school were the site of a battle during the 1798 rebellion during which 150-300 rebels were killed.
Boarding school
A boarding school is a school where some or all pupils study and live during the school year with their fellow students and possibly teachers and/or administrators. The word 'boarding' is used in the sense of "bed and board," i.e., lodging and meals...
located in County Westmeath
County Westmeath
-Economy:Westmeath has a strong agricultural economy. Initially, development occurred around the major market centres of Mullingar, Moate, and Kinnegad. Athlone developed due to its military significance, and its strategic location on the main Dublin–Galway route across the River Shannon. Mullingar...
, Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
. The school caters for approximately 400 students and whilst most of the school's students are boarders there is also a sizable number of day pupils in attendance. As the diocesan secondary school of the Diocese of Meath and Kildare, Wilson's Hospital School operates under a Church of Ireland
Church of Ireland
The Church of Ireland is an autonomous province of the Anglican Communion. The church operates in all parts of Ireland and is the second largest religious body on the island after the Roman Catholic Church...
ethos, which is reflected in the majority of its students. Students of all other faiths are welcome however. The School operates a seven-day boarding week and a five-day teaching schedule which allows boarders the option of returning home at weekends or remaining at the school, to avail of the weekend activity programmes. The day boarding pupils of Wilson's Hospital School are drawn from surrounding areas and participate fully in the life of the school. Academically, the school offers an extensive range of subjects up to higher Leaving Certificate
Leaving Certificate
The Leaving Certificate Examinations , commonly referred to as the Leaving Cert is the final examination in the Irish secondary school system. It takes a minimum of two years preparation, but an optional Transition Year means that for those students it takes place three years after the Junior...
standard.
Sports
The school has a strong sporting tradition, particularly in rugbyRugby football
Rugby football is a style of football named after Rugby School in the United Kingdom. It is seen most prominently in two current sports, rugby league and rugby union.-History:...
, cricket
Cricket
Cricket is a bat-and-ball game played between two teams of 11 players on an oval-shaped field, at the centre of which is a rectangular 22-yard long pitch. One team bats, trying to score as many runs as possible while the other team bowls and fields, trying to dismiss the batsmen and thus limit the...
and hockey
Hockey
Hockey is a family of sports in which two teams play against each other by trying to maneuver a ball or a puck into the opponent's goal using a hockey stick.-Etymology:...
. It is one of Ireland’s longest established Rugby Schools and the earliest recorded team captain dates back to 1840. Soccer, basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
and athletics are also very popular.
History
Wilson's Hospital School was founded in 1761 by Andrew Wilson. It was founded as a school for young Protestant boys (often of limited means) and also as a hospital for old men, some of whom were retired soldiers. Over time the school ceased functioning as a hospital but still retained this title within its name.The school became co-educational in 1969 when it was amalgamated with the Preston School from Navan
Navan
-People:Navan was the childhood home of Pierce Brosnan, who appeared in the television series Remington Steele and was the fifth film actor to play James Bond. TV personality Hector Ó hEochagáin, and comedians Dylan Moran and Tommy Tiernan also hail from Navan....
. which gives the newer classroom block its name 'The Preston Building'
The grounds of the school were the site of a battle during the 1798 rebellion during which 150-300 rebels were killed.