Ovens National School
Ovens, Cork
Key facts
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 466 larger than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 240 girls, 226 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 17251T the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Ovens National School is a Catholic, co‑educational primary school under the patronage of the Bishop of Cork and Ross, catering for 464 pupils, including two dedicated autism classes. The school’s ethos promotes a warm, friendly and vibrant atmosphere where the moral, spiritual, physical, academic, aesthetic and cultural development of each child is central to everyday learning. A strong emphasis is placed on inclusive education and providing equal opportunities for all students to thrive. The campus occupies a generous five‑acre site, featuring ample outdoor space, a beautiful woodland area for nature studies and outdoor learning, and access to the neighbouring Éire Óg GAA club’s facilities, including an astro‑turf pitch, four GAA pitches and a large hall. On‑site resources comprise well‑equipped classrooms, a school hall, a computer room, an art room and a science room. A broad range of extracurricular activities enriches pupil experience, from quizzes, drama and music to robotics, coding and a variety of sports, supported by an active Parents’ Association and a collaborative community.
Applying to Ovens 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
View Ovens National School's own calendar (2026/2027 school year)
Irish schools follow a standardised school year, so these nationwide primary school dates apply broadly to Ovens National School. The school publishes its own calendar, linked above, and that is the authoritative source for its reopening date and discretionary closure days.
- 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 Ovens National School
How many pupils attend Ovens National School?
Ovens National School has 466 pupils enrolled, 240 girls and 226 boys. That makes it larger than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Ovens National School a DEIS school?
No. Ovens 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 Ovens National School?
Ovens National School has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.