Admissions & Fees

We recommend that parents thoroughly research this educational approach before deciding to enrol your child. We have endeavoured to provide as much information as we can on our website but please refer to our Resources page, where we have recommended further reading and material.
Having done your research and decided to proceed, we recommend that we have a meeting with the parents first to clarify any questions you may have and ensure our school is the right fit for your child. If both parties agree, then a second meeting will be organised with the parents and child.

We will also ask you to do the following:

1. Initial meeting with parents –
   We would like to meet with both parents if possible.
2. Submit and complete an application form –
   Link to form coming soon.
3. Enrolment meeting with parents and child –
   This will be our chance to get to know your child and answer any questions they may have. While also establishing whether our school is the right match for their needs.
4. Practice period –

   The admissions committee will assess the application and will decide on the offer of a place. The first four weeks of enrolment are considered a practice period. After this period, the admissions clerk will meet with the student and family to review the practice period and confirm the applicants wish to continue to attend the school.

5. School meeting approval –

   The admissions clerk will make recommendations to the school meeting based on how the practice period went for the student and their discussion with the student and family. The school meeting will vote on confirming the enrolment.

Standard full-time:

€5,000 per school year for first child of the family.

€4,000 for the second child of the family.

€2,000 for any additional children.

Payment plans of monthly instalments of school fees can be arranged.

Limited part time places may be on offered at the discretion of the school.

TNSS opening hours are 8.30am-4.30pm Monday-Thursday and 8.30am-2pm on Fridays. 

Students will arrive to school between 8.30am-10.30am. Students are expected to attend the minimum of 4 core hours (from 10.30am-2.30pm) each day. They may decide to leave school later up until 4.30pm.

At True Nature, we believe in the potential of every student and are committed to fostering an inclusive, supportive, and respectful environment for all, including those with disabilities. Our mission is to provide an environment that respects diversity, promotes inclusion, and prepares our students for the challenges and opportunities of the world beyond our school. As per our enrollment policy we welcome applications from all students and consider each application on a case-by-case basis. Our commitment to inclusivity means we strive to accommodate students with disabilities to the best of our ability, recognising the unique value and perspectives they bring to our school community. Collaboration and Communication are at the heart of our school. We believe that open, honest communication and collaboration with families are key to effectively supporting all students who join our community. We encourage parents and guardians to engage with us early in the application process to discuss their child’s needs, allowing us to explore together how we might best support their needs at True Nature.

Yes, although founded in America, Sudbury schools fit very well into the legal framework in Ireland, both in our Constitution and The Education (Welfare) Act 2000.
The Irish Constitution acknowledges the family as the primary educator and recognises that the state does not oblige parents to send their child to any school. Under article 42 ‘The State acknowledges that the primary and natural educator of the child is the Family and guarantees to respect the inalienable right and duty of parents to provide, according to their means, for the religious and moral, intellectual, physical and social education of their children.’ Irish Statute Book It also states that ‘Parents shall be free to provide this education in their homes or in private schools or in schools recognised or established by the State.’

Furthermore, The Education (Welfare) Act 2000 outlines parents’ right to send their child to private or independent school and cites that children must receive a certain minimum education. Under section 16 of the Act guidelines are provided.

The Guidelines on the Assessment of Education in Places Other than Recognised Schools.

Although a definitive definition of a minimum education is not outlined, the guidelines do provide characteristics of a minimum education. These include

• be suited to the age, ability, aptitude and personality of the child.
• be responsive to the child’s individual needs, should take cognisance of the areas of learning that are of interest to the child, and should ensure that his/her personal potential is enhanced and not suppressed.
• address the immediate and prospective needs of the child, in the context of the cultural, economic and social environment.
• provide a reasonably balanced range of learning experiences, so that no one aspect of the child’s learning is emphasised to the exclusion of others.
• develop the personal and social skills of the child and prepare him/her for the responsibilities of citizenship.
• contribute to the moral development of the child.
• ensure the development of basic skills (as outlined below) so as to prepare the child to participate in society and everyday life.
• provide opportunities for the child to develop his/her intellectual capacities and understanding.

A key aspect of the Education (Welfare) Act is that children receiving education in places other than recognised schools must be registered with the National Educational Welfare Board. Parents who choose to have their child educated in a place other than a recognised school must register with the Board, and the Board in turn must be satisfied that the child is receiving ‘‘a certain minimum education.’’
TNSS will support parents in this process and assist them with the application (Form R1)
This form will ask the parent to consent to the assessment of the educational provision being made for the child at the non-recognised school and will ask him/her to provide details of the school concerned.
Moreover, the guidelines describe the process of assessment of ‘Non-recognised schools’ where an authorised person will carry out an assessment of the school to ensure that it is meeting the minimum educational standards. This assessment will be carried out by an authorised person appointed by Tusla, the Child and Family Agency. Tusla, a state body whose primary focus is the welfare of the child and each child’s individual needs. TNSS will not be inspected by the Department of Education, as we do not fall under their remit.