Patrician Secondary School
Newbridge, Kildare
Key facts
- Boys
- Pupils enrolled
- 932 larger than the median Irish post-primary school (585 pupils)
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects taught through Irish
- Roll number
- 61681V the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Patrician Secondary School is a Catholic boys' secondary school in Newbridge, County Kildare, with an enrolment of 932. The school operates under the Le Chéile Schools Trust, continuing the founding intentions of the Patrician Brothers. The curriculum includes the Junior Cycle, Senior Cycle, Transition Year and the Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme. Junior Cycle subjects span languages (Irish, English, French, German), sciences (Mathematics, Science, ICT), humanities (Geography, History, Religion, SPHE, CSPE), Business Studies, technologies (Technical Graphics, Materials Technology, Technology), Art Craft and Design, Music and Physical Education. Extra-curricular activities include athletics, badminton, basketball, chess, debating, equestrian, Gaisce, hurling, soccer and a school musical. The school also runs a breakfast club and evening study.
History
The school began on 26 August 1958 with 27 students, using the primary school premises beside the Parish Church. On 8 September 1960 the secondary school opened at Charlotte Street with 48 pupils. The present school site was purchased in 1969, and the new building opened the following year. The Leaving Certificate Applied was introduced in September 2000, and an extension comprising new rooms for art, music, chemistry, drawing, construction studies, a library, a demonstration room and a guidance suite opened in February 2001. A further extension of seven classrooms, a staff room and a board room opened on 2 February 2007. Work on a new lunchroom and three classrooms finished in late 2011. The school traces its founding congregation to Bishop Daniel Delany, who founded the Patrician Brothers in 1807.
Applying to Patrician Secondary 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 post-primary school dates apply broadly to Patrician Secondary 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: 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 Patrician Secondary School
How many pupils attend Patrician Secondary School?
Patrician Secondary School has 932 pupils enrolled. That makes it larger than the median Irish post-primary school, which has 585 pupils.
Is Patrician Secondary School a DEIS school?
No. Patrician Secondary 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 Patrician Secondary School?
Patrician Secondary School has a Catholic ethos. It is a boys' post-primary school.