Holy Family Junior National School
Swords, Dublin
Key facts
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 565 larger than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 273 girls, 292 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 19721R the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Holy Family Junior National School is a co‑educational junior primary school situated in River Valley, Swords, Co. Dublin. It provides education for children from Junior Infants to Second Standard and operates under a Catholic ethos, delivering religious education in line with the doctrines and traditions of the Catholic Church. As a state‑funded institution, the school receives grants from the Department of Education and Science for maintenance, heating, lighting and staffing, and it employs a team of special‑needs assistants to support inclusive learning. The school’s curriculum follows the revised 1999 primary school programme, aiming to develop each pupil holistically – spiritually, moral, cognitive, emotional, imaginative, aesthetic, social and physical. A strong emphasis is placed on community partnership, with parents and local organisations actively involved in events such as STEM Week, the Shoebox Appeal and various cultural celebrations. Uniforms consist of navy blue and grey garments, with a school tracksuit available through a local supplier, reinforcing a sense of belonging and pride. Facilities and resources are geared towards fostering a safe, welcoming and nurturing environment. The school promotes lifelong learning for both pupils and staff, offering professional development opportunities and valuing the contributions of all ancillary personnel.
History
Holy Family Junior National School was established in September 1982 under the patronage of the Catholic Archbishop of Dublin.
Applying to Holy Family Junior 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 Holy Family Junior 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 Holy Family Junior National School
How many pupils attend Holy Family Junior National School?
Holy Family Junior National School has 565 pupils enrolled, 273 girls and 292 boys. That makes it larger than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Holy Family Junior National School a DEIS school?
No. Holy Family Junior 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 Holy Family Junior National School?
Holy Family Junior National School has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.