Greystones Community National School
Charlesland, Wicklow
Key facts
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 412 larger than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 206 girls, 206 boys
- Ethos
- Multi Denominational
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 20473I the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Greystones Community National School is a thriving primary school serving over 400 pupils from Junior Infants to 6th Class. Situated in a bright, modern purpose‑built building in Charlesland, the school provides spacious classrooms equipped with iPads, Chromebooks, Bee‑Bots and high‑spec ActivPanels, enabling innovative use of technology across the curriculum. As a Community National School it is child‑centred, inclusive and multidenominational, delivering the Primary School Curriculum with a strong emphasis on literacy, numeracy, creativity and wellbeing. The school places a high priority on partnership with families, operating an open‑door policy and regular parent‑teacher meetings, and it encourages active participation through committees covering Creative Arts, Green Schools, STEM and Active Schools. A record of achievement includes multiple Science Foundation of Ireland and Discover Science & Maths plaques, a Green School award, and a national exhibition of the CreativiTree Art Display, reflecting a commitment to excellence in both academic and extracurricular pursuits such as GAA and football competitions.
History
The school opened in September 2015 with an enrolment of 20 Junior Infants, a principal (Mr Rory Kinane), a class teacher (Ms Francesca Hunt) and a rented classroom. By 2024 enrolment had grown to 412 pupils, and in September 2021 the school moved into its permanent building in Charlesland. In December 2023 a new principal was appointed. Greystones CNS operates under the patronage of the Kildare and Wicklow Education and Training Board, follows the Department of Education’s Primary School Curriculum, and received a “very good” rating in all areas in the 2019 Department inspection. The school is recognised for its inclusion work, award‑winning STEM and science programmes, and its commitment to environmental and active‑school initiatives.
Applying to Greystones Community 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 Greystones Community 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 Greystones Community National School
How many pupils attend Greystones Community National School?
Greystones Community National School has 412 pupils enrolled, 206 girls and 206 boys. That makes it larger than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Greystones Community National School a DEIS school?
No. Greystones Community 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 Greystones Community National School?
Greystones Community National School has a Multi Denominational ethos. It is a mixed primary school.