Kells Parochial National School
Kells, Meath
Key facts
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 52 smaller than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 21 girls, 31 boys
- Ethos
- Church Of Ireland
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 05062A the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Kells Parochial National School is an urban primary school that serves the Church of Ireland and related Protestant communities within the parishes of Kells and Donaghpatrick. The school operates with a three‑teacher team and delivers a broad curriculum that seeks to nurture the moral, spiritual, emotional, intellectual, physical and social development of every pupil. Central to its ethos are the values of honesty, charity, kindness, patience and personal responsibility, all expressed through a distinctive Church of Ireland tradition that permeates daily life while also respecting the beliefs of other faiths. The school’s modern facilities include high‑speed broadband connectivity provided under the Department of Education’s School Broadband Programme, supporting contemporary learning resources and digital literacy. A new purpose‑built building on the Navan Road, opened in 2009, provides spacious classrooms and a welcoming environment for pupils. Strong parent‑teacher communication is encouraged, with informal daily contact and formal meetings throughout the year, ensuring a collaborative approach to each child’s education.
History
In 1835 a Parochial School for boys at the junction of Church Lane and Fair Green opened with 66 pupils, supported by the Archdeacon of Meath, and a school house was provided in 1830. A larger national school was constructed in 1837 on Carrick Street North (Church of Ireland), which had 69 pupils by 1882; the original Church Lane school closed the following year. In 1967 Westland School, Moynalty amalgamated with Kells Parochial, creating a two‑teacher school of 56 pupils and installing oil‑fired central heating. The teacher’s residence was converted into flats in 1975 to raise funds. A new school building was opened on 27 March 2009 on the Navan Road, dedicated by The Most Reverend Richard Clarke, marking the latest chapter in the school’s development.
Applying to Kells Parochial 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 Kells Parochial 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 Kells Parochial National School
How many pupils attend Kells Parochial National School?
Kells Parochial National School has 52 pupils enrolled, 21 girls and 31 boys. That makes it smaller than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Kells Parochial National School a DEIS school?
No. Kells Parochial 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 Kells Parochial National School?
Kells Parochial National School has a Church Of Ireland ethos. It is a mixed primary school.