Wilson's Hospital School

Wilson's Hospital School was founded in 1761 by Andrew Wilson as a school for young Protestant boys and also as a hospital for old men.[5] The school's main Georgian building, including its 220-seater chapel, was designed by architect John Pentland and completed between 1759 and 1761.[6][7] It is listed, together with other structures on the grounds, on the Record of Protected Structures for County Westmeath.[3]

The school grounds were the site of a battle preceding the Battle of Ballinamuck during the 1798 rebellion in which 150–300 rebels were killed.[7][8]

Over time the school ceased functioning as a hospital but still retained this title within its name.[2] Operating as an all-boys school for 200 years, it became co-educational in 1969 when it was amalgamated with the Preston School from Navan which was established by John Preston in 1686.[5] This connection is reflected in the name of a newer classroom block, The Preston Building.[5]

In September 2022, the High Court ordered the jailing of a suspended teacher, Enoch Burke, for refusing to comply with a court order preventing him from attending the school.[9][10] This followed his rejection of disciplinary procedures after reputedly interrupting school business to object to its guidelines on addressing transgender students.[11] Sanctioning his release in December 2022, the High Court judge noted that the teacher was "exploiting his imprisonment for his own ends".[12] Following a disciplinary hearing in January 2023, the teacher was dismissed from his role at the school.[13]

The school caters for approximately 400 students.[1] While many of the school's students are boarders, a number of day pupils also attend the school.[2][14] As the diocesan secondary school of the Diocese of Meath and Kildare, Wilson's Hospital School operates under a Church of Ireland ethos.[15]

The school operates a five-day boarding week and teaching schedule. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, there was a seven-day boarding week which allowed boarders the option of returning home at weekends or remaining at the school to avail of the weekend activity programmes. Academically, the school offers a range of subjects up to higher Leaving Certificate standard.[16]

Wilson's Hospital fields schoolboy rugby teams in "Section A" of the Leinster Branch's schools competitions.[17][18] Former sportspeople, associated with the school, include Andrew Thompson and Joe Schmidt (who coached at the school in the 1990s).[4][19]

The school also fields hockey teams, and has a "partnership" with Mullingar Hockey Club.[20]

• Enoch Burke, former teacher[13]
• Homan Potterton, attended the Preston School in Navan which was later to become Wilson's Hospital[21]
• Joe Schmidt, former rugby coach at the school[4]
• Andrew Thompson, rugby player and former student[19]

• Official website