Glenderry National School
Ballyheigue, Kerry
Key facts
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 129 about the same size as the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 66 girls, 63 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 18590A the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Glenderry National School, officially Scoil Naomh Erc, is a mixed Catholic primary school situated on the southern side of the Kerryhead Peninsula, overlooking the Atlantic Ocean near Ballyheigue, County Kerry. The school provides a stable, safe and happy learning environment that values open communication between pupils, staff, parents and the wider community. Its educational philosophy is child‑centred, drawing on scientific observation of development from birth to adolescence, and seeks to nurture the intellectual, spiritual, physical, moral and cultural needs of each pupil. The school offers a broad co‑curricular programme that includes active‑school initiatives, a Green School programme with multiple Green Flags, a state‑of‑the‑art astro‑turf pitch, music classes, a debate team and a healthy‑eating scheme. Facilities have been expanded since the original 1963 building, with a four‑classroom extension and purpose hall added in 2007 and an ASD classroom completed in 2019, alongside plans for an additional SEN classroom. A dedicated team of special‑needs assistants supports inclusive education, ensuring that all children can reach their full potential.
History
The original school building was erected in 1963. In 2007 an extension comprising four new classrooms and a purpose‑built hall was added. A further extension was completed in 2019, providing a dedicated ASD classroom, and the school is currently developing an additional SEN classroom to support children with autism spectrum disorder.
Applying to Glenderry 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 Glenderry 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 Glenderry National School
How many pupils attend Glenderry National School?
Glenderry National School has 129 pupils enrolled, 66 girls and 63 boys. That makes it about the same size as the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Glenderry National School a DEIS school?
No. Glenderry 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 Glenderry National School?
Glenderry National School has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.