Padraig Naofa National School
Wicklow
Key facts
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 172 larger than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 85 girls, 87 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 18198A the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Scoil Náisiúnta Phádraig Naofa, Avoca is a co‑educational primary school serving a rural catchment in County Wicklow. The school embraces a Roman Catholic ethos while promoting tolerance and respect for the diverse religious and socio‑economic backgrounds of its families. Its curriculum is guided by a mission to develop each child’s intellect, spiritual and moral values, and cultural awareness, with a strong emphasis on environmental understanding, physical and emotional wellbeing, and the nurturing of artistic and creative abilities. Recent investment through the Department of Education’s National Recovery and Resilience Plan has equipped the school with high‑speed broadband, new iPads and laptops, and enhanced digital learning spaces. These resources support a vibrant STEAM programme that includes science fairs, film‑making projects and technology‑enhanced assessment, allowing pupils to explore science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics in an integrated manner. The campus has expanded to accommodate a growing enrolment of 218 pupils, adding two modern classrooms, a dedicated car park, a ball court and a full‑size football pitch. The school’s facilities provide a safe, welcoming environment where pupils can thrive academically and socially, supported by a committed board of management, engaged parents and a dedicated staff team.
History
Avoca National School originally operated in the heart of the village in a building famously used for the television series *Ballykissangel*. In 1979 the school relocated to its present site on the outskirts of Avoca, reflecting the village’s historic growth linked to the 18th‑century copper mines and cultural figures such as Thomas Moore and Percy French. As the local population expanded, the school extended its premises with two additional classrooms, a car park, a ball court and a football pitch to meet the needs of a diverse and growing community. Today it remains the sole primary school in Avoca, continuing to serve families from the surrounding countryside and beyond.
Applying to Padraig Naofa 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 Padraig Naofa 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 Padraig Naofa National School
How many pupils attend Padraig Naofa National School?
Padraig Naofa National School has 172 pupils enrolled, 85 girls and 87 boys. That makes it larger than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Padraig Naofa National School a DEIS school?
No. Padraig Naofa 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 Padraig Naofa National School?
Padraig Naofa National School has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.