Blessington 1 National School
Blessington, Wicklow
Key facts
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 195 larger than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 88 girls, 107 boys
- Ethos
- Church Of Ireland
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 06176U the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
About
Blessington No. 1 National School provides a caring, inclusive environment where pupils are encouraged to develop academically, physically, culturally, spiritually and socially. The school places a strong emphasis on partnership between home and school, operating an “Open Door” policy that enables parents to discuss matters directly with staff. A respectful ethos underpinned by the Anglican tradition guides the curriculum and school life, fostering a community where each child is nurtured to reach their full potential. Learning is delivered to the highest academic standards across all subjects, supported by a wide range of continually updated resources. The school benefits from high‑speed broadband and a networked set of laptops, with a class set of iPads and a dedicated charging station introduced through a 2021 grant to bridge the digital divide. Extra‑curricular provision is extensive, including a varied physical education programme (games, football, cricket, tennis, gymnastics, dancing, swimming), a vibrant music department with weekly singing, instrument and choral lessons, and robust arts and crafts activities. Collaborative learning is promoted through group projects, shared reading sessions and a reading‑buddy system linking junior and senior pupils.
History
Blessington No. 1 School was founded in 1851 and originally situated in the centre of Blessington. In 1989 the school moved to larger premises, and in June 2008 it relocated to its current site at Blessington Demesne, on the edge of Glending Wood. The school operates under the Church of Ireland patronage of the Archbishop of Dublin, with an Anglican religious ethos informing its curriculum and management.
Applying to Blessington 1 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 Blessington 1 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 Blessington 1 National School
How many pupils attend Blessington 1 National School?
Blessington 1 National School has 195 pupils enrolled, 88 girls and 107 boys. That makes it larger than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Blessington 1 National School a DEIS school?
No. Blessington 1 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 Blessington 1 National School?
Blessington 1 National School has a Church Of Ireland ethos. It is a mixed primary school.