Nuns Cross National School
Ashford, Wicklow
Key facts
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 194 larger than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 93 girls, 101 boys
- Ethos
- Church Of Ireland
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 11649S the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Nun’s Cross National School is a co‑educational primary school situated in the hamlet of Killiskey, nestled in the rolling hills of County Wicklow. Managed by the Church of Ireland, the school welcomes children from a wide range of religious, ethnic and social backgrounds and aims to nurture the moral, spiritual, emotional, intellectual, physical and social development of every pupil. The ethos reflects the values of honesty, charity, kindness, patience and personal responsibility, while also respecting the traditions of other faiths and encouraging an inclusive, tolerant community. The school has expanded considerably since its modern reopening in 1992. Originally comprising two classrooms, it now boasts six classrooms across two recent building blocks, one of which includes a multi‑purpose room. Facilities support a broad curriculum that includes STEM activities, outdoor learning in the school garden, and regular participation in parish services and religious festivals. The school follows the Department of Education’s guidelines for Religious Education and uses the “Follow Me” programme, ensuring a balanced approach that respects parental choice while fostering a shared sense of community.
History
The earliest record of schooling in the Ashford area dates to the 17th‑18th centuries, with hedge and estate schools serving local families. Around 1857 a schoolhouse was erected in Kiliskey by public subscription, later sold when the present Nun’s Cross school was built. In 1877, on land donated by Charles George Tottenham of Ballycurry Estate, a stone‑wall structure was erected and, in 1881, a red‑brick extension created “The Crofton School”. After the original building became inadequate in the 1980s, a new site was purchased and, in Easter 1992, the current school was opened by the Archbishop of Dublin. Since then the school has grown from two to six classrooms, adding two new blocks and a multi‑purpose room, and has evolved from serving solely the Church of Ireland parish of Killiskey to welcoming a diverse pupil body.
Applying to Nuns Cross 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 Nuns Cross 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 Nuns Cross National School
How many pupils attend Nuns Cross National School?
Nuns Cross National School has 194 pupils enrolled, 93 girls and 101 boys. That makes it larger than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Nuns Cross National School a DEIS school?
No. Nuns Cross 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 Nuns Cross National School?
Nuns Cross National School has a Church Of Ireland ethos. It is a mixed primary school.