Community National Schools (CNSs) were established in 2008 as a new model of primary school patronage with the first school, Scoil Choilm CNS, opening in Clonsilla, Co. Dublin in 2008. The model was established in recognition of the changing face of modern Ireland (DES, 2007) and would develop a multidenominational ethos.

Community National Schools (CNSs) were established in 2008 as a new model of primary school patronage with the first school, Scoil Choilm CNS, opening in Clonsilla, Co. Dublin in 2008. The model was established in recognition of the changing face of modern Ireland (DES, 2007) and would develop a multidenominational ethos.

Although the Minister for Education and Skills was the original patron of these schools, it was intended that CNSs would ultimately be under the patronage of Education and Training Boards. Between 2008-2016, the CNS model grew steadily and when the patronage officially transferred in 2016, four ETBs became patrons of eleven Community National Schools. Since then, the Community National School model has continued to grow with more ETBs becoming patrons of both newly-established and reconfigured CNSs.