Good Shepherd National School
Churchtown, Dublin
Key facts
- DEIS
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 209 larger than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 99 girls, 110 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 19939V the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
The Good Shepherd National School, situated in Churchtown, provides a warm, inclusive and child‑centred learning environment for pupils from Junior Infants through to Sixth Class. The school’s ethos is built around the belief that every child matters and that a happy, supportive first experience of school lays the foundation for successful future learning. A strong partnership with parents underpins the school’s approach, ensuring that each child’s all‑round development – academic, social and personal – is nurtured in a safe and caring setting. Facilities and programmes reflect a broad, holistic curriculum. The school offers specialised early years provision such as Tiny Tots Preschool and Montessori, as well as dedicated language, ASD and MLD classes. A rich co‑curricular offering includes tennis, drama, creative keyboard, multi‑sport activities, and a DLR school sports programme, complemented by initiatives like the Local Girls Soccer Initiative and participation in national events such as Catholic Schools Week and World Book Week. These resources aim to foster confidence, creativity and physical wellbeing, enabling pupils to flourish and reach their individual potential.
Applying to Good Shepherd 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
View Good Shepherd National School's own calendar (2026/2027 school year)
Irish schools follow a standardised school year, so these nationwide primary school dates apply broadly to Good Shepherd National 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: 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 Good Shepherd National School
How many pupils attend Good Shepherd National School?
Good Shepherd National School has 209 pupils enrolled, 99 girls and 110 boys. That makes it larger than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Good Shepherd National School a DEIS school?
Yes. Good Shepherd National School is part of DEIS, the Department of Education programme called Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools. DEIS schools serve communities at risk of educational disadvantage and receive additional supports, which can include smaller classes, extra teaching posts and funding for books and meals.
What is the ethos of Good Shepherd National School?
Good Shepherd National School has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.