Balla Secondary School
Castlebar, Mayo
Key facts
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 476 smaller than the median Irish post-primary school (585 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 233 girls, 243 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects taught through Irish
- Roll number
- 64500G the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Balla Secondary School is a co-educational Catholic secondary school in Balla, near Castlebar, Co. Mayo. Enrolment stands at 476 students. The school was established by the Sisters of St. Louis in 1920 and describes itself as a close-knit community where pastoral care is a priority. For the Junior Cycle, students entering first year study four core examination subjects: Irish, English, Mathematics and History. Optional subjects include Science, Geography, French or Spanish, Business Studies, Music, Home Economics, Art, Materials Technology (Wood) and Technical Graphics. First-year students give their preferred options at enrolment and may complete a short taster in other subjects before making a final choice. Wellbeing and short course subjects include Physical Education, Games, Religion, Digital Media, Coding, Choir, Guidance, SPHE and CSPE. The school operates a policy of integration and inclusion, with a learning support programme staffed by learning support teachers and special needs assistants. The education support team works with the Department of Education, psychological services and outside agencies.
Applying to Balla Secondary School
For a September 2027 place, a school's formal admissions process cannot begin before 1 October 2026. The school sets its own opening and closing dates in its annual admission notice.
National term dates 2026/27
Irish schools follow a standardised school year, so these nationwide post-primary school dates apply broadly to Balla Secondary School. Individual schools set their own discretionary closure days, confirm exact dates with the school.
- October Mid-Term Break: Mon 26 Oct – Fri 30 Oct 2026
- Christmas Holidays: Wed 23 Dec 2026 – Tue 5 Jan 2027
- February Mid-Term Break: Mon 15 Feb – Fri 19 Feb 2027 (primary schools: Thu 18 Feb – Fri 19 Feb 2027)
- Easter Holidays: Mon 22 Mar – Sun 4 Apr 2027
Primary schools close for the last two days of the February mid-term week and may use discretionary days to take the full week, so their break can be shorter than post-primary schools'.
Frequently asked questions about Balla Secondary School
How many pupils attend Balla Secondary School?
Balla Secondary School has 476 pupils enrolled, 233 girls and 243 boys. That makes it smaller than the median Irish post-primary school, which has 585 pupils.
Is Balla Secondary School a DEIS school?
No. Balla Secondary School is not part of DEIS, the Department of Education programme of additional supports for schools serving communities at risk of educational disadvantage. Not holding DEIS status says nothing about how good a school is, only about the profile of the community it serves.
What is the ethos of Balla Secondary School?
Balla Secondary School has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed post-primary school.