Cosby National School
Stradbally, Laois
Key facts
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 57 smaller than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 26 girls, 31 boys
- Ethos
- Church Of Ireland
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 10544W the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Cosby National School is a small, two‑teacher primary school located in the historic town of Stradbally, County Laois. With approximately 30 pupils on roll, the school offers a close‑knit, community‑focused environment where each child receives personalised attention. The curriculum is delivered across junior (3rd‑6th class) levels, emphasising a balanced blend of literacy, numeracy and creative subjects, and is enriched by programmes such as the “Say Yes To Languages” initiative introduced in 2024, which encourages multilingual development from an early age. The school places a strong emphasis on sustainability and outdoor learning. It has earned five Green Flag Awards, recognising its commitment to waste reduction, energy efficiency, water conservation, sustainable travel and biodiversity. These values are reflected in the active school garden, regular environmental projects and the integration of nature‑based activities into daily lessons. A vibrant co‑curricular programme includes World Book Day celebrations, art projects, and participation in the Junior Entrepreneur Programme, providing pupils with opportunities to develop confidence, creativity and entrepreneurial skills beyond the classroom.
History
Cosby National School first opened its doors in 1872. Since its foundation, the school has served the Stradbally community, evolving from a traditional rural school into a modern, environmentally‑focused primary institution while maintaining its small‑scale, family‑like atmosphere.
Applying to Cosby 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 Cosby 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 Cosby National School
How many pupils attend Cosby National School?
Cosby National School has 57 pupils enrolled, 26 girls and 31 boys. That makes it smaller than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Cosby National School a DEIS school?
No. Cosby 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 Cosby National School?
Cosby National School has a Church Of Ireland ethos. It is a mixed primary school.