Holy Family S S
Charleville, Cork
Key facts
- Special school
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 87 smaller than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 33 girls, 54 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 19433M the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
About
Holy Family School, Charleville provides specialised education and care for children aged 4‑18 years with severe or profound intellectual disability, moderate learning disability, autism with an intellectual disability (moderate to profound) and complex medical needs. The school adopts a holistic, child‑centred approach that seeks to develop each pupil’s intellectual, social, moral and physical potential. Learning is delivered through a tailored curriculum that integrates therapeutic activities, life‑skills training and sensory experiences, ensuring that every child can progress at an appropriate pace while enjoying a supportive, inclusive environment. The campus comprises sixteen dedicated classrooms together with a range of purpose‑built facilities: a home economics room, music room, bath‑therapy suite, multi‑sensory room, outdoor playground and a specially designed sensory gym. These spaces enable a blend of academic instruction, creative expression and therapeutic intervention, fostering both independence and confidence. The school’s ethos is underpinned by a strong partnership with families, promoting collaborative decision‑making and continuous communication to best meet each child’s unique needs.
History
Holy Family School (Charity Number 20205644) was established in 1973 under the Department of Education & Science. Since its founding, the school has been committed to developing each child’s intellectual abilities, enriching social and personal development, promoting moral growth in cooperation with parents, and ensuring physical development and coordination through a comprehensive, specialised programme.
Applying to Holy Family S S
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 S S. 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 S S
How many pupils attend Holy Family S S?
Holy Family S S has 87 pupils enrolled, 33 girls and 54 boys. That makes it smaller than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Holy Family S S a DEIS school?
No. Holy Family S S 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 S S?
Holy Family S S has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.