Ballyraine National School
Donegal
Key facts
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 215 larger than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 107 girls, 108 boys
- Ethos
- Church Of Ireland
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 19411C the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Ballyraine National School is a co‑educational primary school situated on the outskirts of Letterkenny, County Donegal. It operates under the joint patronage of the Church of Ireland and the Presbyterian Church, offering a Protestant ethos while welcoming pupils of all backgrounds and faiths. The school follows the Irish Primary School Curriculum and adopts a child‑centred, holistic approach to learning, fostering a nurturing environment where children feel safe, respected and valued. Emphasis is placed on mutual respect, tolerance and the development of individual talents and interests, with strong encouragement of home‑school partnership. The campus has been expanded several times to meet growing needs: the original building opened in 1976, with major extensions added in 2007 and 2021, and a dedicated autism classroom introduced in 2023. Facilities support a broad range of activities, from academic pursuits to sports, arts and outdoor play, reflecting the school’s commitment to a well‑rounded education. The school day runs from 08:50 to 13:30 for Junior and Senior Infants and until 14:30 for classes 1st to 6th, providing a structured yet flexible timetable for learners.
History
Ballyraine National School was officially opened in 1976. Since then the school has undergone two significant extensions, completed in 2007 and 2021, to accommodate increasing enrolment and enhance its facilities. In 2023 a specialised autism classroom was added, demonstrating the school’s commitment to inclusive education. A detailed history of the school, written by former vice‑principal and learning support teacher Mrs Marina Sterritt, is available for purchase from the school office.
Applying to Ballyraine National 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 primary school dates apply broadly to Ballyraine National 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: Thu 18 Feb – Fri 19 Feb 2027 (post-primary schools: Mon 15 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 Ballyraine National School
How many pupils attend Ballyraine National School?
Ballyraine National School has 215 pupils enrolled, 107 girls and 108 boys. That makes it larger than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Ballyraine National School a DEIS school?
No. Ballyraine National 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 Ballyraine National School?
Ballyraine National School has a Church Of Ireland ethos. It is a mixed primary school.