Le Cheile Ballincollig
Ballincollig, Cork
Key facts
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 254 smaller than the median Irish post-primary school (585 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 121 girls, 133 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects taught through Irish
- Roll number
- 68385G the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Le Chéile Secondary School, Ballincollig is a co‑educational voluntary Catholic secondary school operating under the Le Chéile Schools Trust. The school’s ethos is built on inclusivity, mutual respect and the dignity of every learner, fostering a nurturing yet stimulating environment where self‑esteem and academic ambition are encouraged. Teaching and learning are underpinned by modern, interactive ICT facilities and a commitment to innovative pedagogical approaches, ensuring that students of all abilities can achieve their individual potential. The campus, now based in a purpose‑built temporary site at Innishmore, provides specialist rooms for Art, Home Economics, Woodwork, Science and Music, alongside a canteen, basketball court and dedicated spaces for additional‑needs support. Small class sizes enable a broad and balanced curriculum, offering the full suite of Leaving Certificate programmes (Established, Applied and Vocational) as well as a Transition Year with diverse modules, work experience and an international trip. The school’s Catholic foundation is expressed through a strong spiritual ethos, community service and a focus on holistic development.
History
Le Chéile Secondary School opened its doors in September 2021 at the former Cork Film Centre, initially enrolling 17 students with a small teaching team. In January 2023 the school moved to a new temporary home at Innishmore, gaining purpose‑built facilities including specialist rooms, a canteen and a basketball court. Over the following years enrolment grew, new staff appointments were made, and the school launched its first senior cycle pathways (Leaving Certificate Established, Applied and Vocational) and a Transition Year cohort, which undertook its inaugural international trip to Italy in May 2025. In January 2024 a 15‑acre permanent site at Lisheens was approved, and the project entered the design phase, aiming to accommodate up to 1,000 students with extensive classroom, specialist and wellbeing provisions.
Applying to Le Cheile Ballincollig
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 post-primary school dates apply broadly to Le Cheile Ballincollig. 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: Mon 15 Feb – Fri 19 Feb 2027 (primary schools: Thu 18 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 Le Cheile Ballincollig
How many pupils attend Le Cheile Ballincollig?
Le Cheile Ballincollig has 254 pupils enrolled, 121 girls and 133 boys. That makes it smaller than the median Irish post-primary school, which has 585 pupils.
Is Le Cheile Ballincollig a DEIS school?
No. Le Cheile Ballincollig 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 Le Cheile Ballincollig?
Le Cheile Ballincollig has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed post-primary school.