Scoil Náisiúnta Seanbhaile operates under the Education Act (1998), the Education Act (2000), Health, Safety and Welfare at Work Act (2005), Data Protection Acts (1998, 2003) and the Rules for National Schools which are made by the Minister of Education. The Department of Education and Science is the predominant source of funding for the school. The school is under the patronage of the Catholic Church and this is reflected in the ethos of the school (and therefore the school has a Catholic Ethos).

The school is managed by a Board of Management. This is a body of persons recognised by the Minister of Education and Science and all persons nominated to the board shall have a commitment to the ethos of the school and shall have an understanding of a commitment to Catholic Education as outlined in the Deed of Trust for Catholic Schools.

The term of office of the Board shall be four years and consists of :

(i) Two direct nominees of the Patron.

(ii) Two parents of children enrolled in the school (one being a mother, the other a father), elected by the general body of parents of children enrolled in the school.

(iii) The Principal Teacher of the school.

(iv) One other teacher on the staff of the school, elected by vote of the teaching staff.

(v) Two extra members proposed by those nominees, described at (i)-(iv) above.

The day-to-day running of the school is done by the Principal and Deputy Principal, ably assisted by the special duties post holders known as the I.S.M. – In-School Management Team.