About the Principal

Ms. Edith Byrne was appointed Principal of Sandford Park School in 2003. Ms. Byrne is a graduate in History and French of Trinity College, Dublin, where she was awarded the Higher Diploma in Education. She also holds a Master’s Degree (M.Phil.) in Applied Linguistics, specializing in methodology in language teaching and learning, from Trinity College, Dublin.

Ms. Byrne has extensive experience working in the Irish and international education systems. She comes to Sandford Park School from St. Andrew’s College, Dublin, where she held the post of International Baccalaureate (IB) Coordinator. As a member of the senior college management team, she was responsible for the educational needs and pastoral care of fifth and sixth year students. Previously, she was Year Head of second years and third years in the junior division of the school. She has taught History and French in the Junior Certificate, Leaving Certificate and the International Baccalaureate programmes. For Transition Year students, she designed a history/politics module on Divided Societies and a course in International Studies for senior cycle students.

The scope and range of Ms. Byrne’s cultural and sporting interests mean that there is no aspect of school life with which she cannot identify. Ms. Byrne has participated in a range of team and individual sports and considers participation in sport a crucial component in the development of a young person. She has been involved in debating through the Model United Nations and Model European Parliament. As IB Coordinator, she introduced the subjects of Visual Arts, Theatre Arts, Computer Science and Information Technology in a Global Society to the curriculum.

In conjunction with the Council of International Schools (CIS) and the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC), Ms. Byrne has served on a number of accreditations of international schools. She has also been involved in several EU education projects as well as representing Ireland on the International Board of the Model European Parliament. She has worked as a lecturer and teacher trainer of English as a Second Language/English for Specific Purposes.

At Sandford Park School, she is deeply committed to maintaining its traditions of an all-round liberal education, the family atmosphere of the small school and its historical position as the Irish State’s most prominent non-denominational school. Ms. Byrne joined Sandford Park School as it embarked on an ambitious four phase Development Plan. She has overseen its full implementation which was completed in June 2009 and more recently the successful transition to a co-educational school in 2013.