Churchtown National School
Athy, Kildare
Key facts
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 55 smaller than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 21 girls, 34 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 07790U the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
About
Churchtown National School is a small, community‑focused primary school situated in Churchtown, Athy, County Kildare. The school presents itself as a welcoming and inclusive environment where every pupil is valued and cherished. Its educational approach is built on a well‑ordered, caring and secure setting that seeks to meet the intellectual, spiritual, physical, moral and cultural needs of children. While the school operates within a Catholic ethos, it explicitly recognises and respects pupils of all other faiths and none, promoting respect for diversity and encouraging a sense of belonging for the wider Churchtown community, including parents, grandparents and extended families. The curriculum is described as stimulating and broadly challenging, with a particular emphasis on language learning and the appreciation of languages as part of Irish culture and heritage. The school aims to enhance self‑esteem, foster personal responsibility and develop respect for self, others and property. Professional development for staff is encouraged through ongoing development programmes, ensuring that teaching practices remain current and effective. Environmental awareness and community appreciation are also highlighted as key values, reflecting a holistic approach to primary education.
History
The original school building at Churchtown was built in 1857 by parishioners of the area, ten years after the famine. It replaced a hedge school that had operated a mile away, near the Malthouse. The building was constructed of limestone and comprised two structures, the school and the teacher's residence. A new school opened in 1993, with four classrooms and ensuite toilets. The building was extended twice more, in 2008 and again in 2016.
Applying to Churchtown 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.
School-published admissions links
These links come from the school's published admissions material. Check the school year shown before relying on dates or place numbers.
National term dates 2026/27
Irish schools follow a standardised school year, so these nationwide primary school dates apply broadly to Churchtown 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 Churchtown National School
How many pupils attend Churchtown National School?
Churchtown National School has 55 pupils enrolled, 21 girls and 34 boys. That makes it smaller than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Churchtown National School a DEIS school?
No. Churchtown 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 Churchtown National School?
Churchtown National School has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.