F.C.J.Secondary School
Enniscorthy, Wexford
Key facts
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 1,075 larger than the median Irish post-primary school (585 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 542 girls, 533 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects taught through Irish
- Roll number
- 63550Q the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
FCJ Secondary School Bunclody is a co‑educational post‑primary institution that serves over 1,000 students in a Christian‑based learning community. The school’s ethos is built around the values of truth, respect and justice, with a strong emphasis on kindness, fairness and personal responsibility. These principles underpin a holistic curriculum that balances academic rigour with a wide range of extracurricular activities, including sport, music, environmental projects and digital technology programmes. The school offers a broad selection of subjects to cater for diverse aptitudes and interests, supported by modern facilities such as dedicated Chromebook programmes for each year group and specialised spaces for music, sport and science. An active school culture is promoted through the Active School Flag, regular sporting successes, biennial musical productions and participation in local, regional and national innovation initiatives. The community‑focused environment encourages respectful relationships among pupils, parents and staff, aiming to develop confident, well‑rounded young adults ready for life after school.
History
Founded in 1820 in Amiens, France by Marie Madeleine d’Houët, the Faithful Companions of Jesus Sisters arrived in Newtownbarry (now Bunclody) in August 1861, opening a new foundation with seven Sisters. The school began as a boarding school for girls alongside a national school, later expanding to co‑educational secondary provision in 1969 and closing the boarding facilities in 1986. Following the establishment of the Irish state, the Leaving Certificate was first sat at FCJ Bunclody in 1925. Milestones include the employment of the first lay teacher in 1962, the first full‑time male teacher in 1969, the appointment of the first lay principal in 2008, and continued growth to a student body of over 900 by 2017.
Applying to F.C.J.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
View F.C.J.Secondary School's own calendar (2026/2027 school year)
Irish schools follow a standardised school year, so these nationwide post-primary school dates apply broadly to F.C.J.Secondary School. The school publishes its own calendar, linked above, and that is the authoritative source for its reopening date and discretionary closure days.
- 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 F.C.J.Secondary School
How many pupils attend F.C.J.Secondary School?
F.C.J.Secondary School has 1,075 pupils enrolled, 542 girls and 533 boys. That makes it larger than the median Irish post-primary school, which has 585 pupils.
Is F.C.J.Secondary School a DEIS school?
No. F.C.J.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 F.C.J.Secondary School?
F.C.J.Secondary School has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed post-primary school.