Portumna Community School
Portumna, Galway
Key facts
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 506 smaller than the median Irish post-primary school (585 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 243 girls, 263 boys
- Ethos
- Inter Denominational
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects taught through Irish
- Roll number
- 91413O the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Portumna Community School (PCS) is a co‑educational, multi‑denominational post‑primary institution situated on St Brigid’s Road, Portumna, County Galway. The school delivers a comprehensive curriculum that spans the Junior Cycle, Transition Year, Senior Cycle and a range of Level 2 and Level 3 Certificate (LCA) and Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme (LCVP) courses. Emphasis is placed on fostering each pupil’s individuality and encouraging them to achieve their “personal best” through a blend of academic rigour, 21st‑century digital tools (including a dedicated school app, VSware and Office 365) and a strong focus on personal responsibility, self‑directed learning and collaborative practice. The ethos of PCS is built on the core values of care, respect, inclusion, equality, justice and fairness, creating a calm, caring and creative environment that supports both academic and personal development. The school actively promotes citizenship and community engagement, offering a variety of extracurricular activities, pastoral support and adult‑education programmes that link students with the wider local community. Facilities are designed to support a wide‑ranging curriculum and inclusive education, ensuring safe physical and social spaces where every learner can thrive regardless of background or ability.
History
Portumna Community School was established under a Deed of Trust and opened in 1990. It operates under the joint trusteeship of the Bishop of Clonfert and the Chief Executive of the Galway and Roscommon Educational and Training Board (GRETB), integrating the multi‑denominational values of the State body with the Christian traditions of the Bishop’s foundation.
Applying to Portumna Community 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 Portumna Community 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 Portumna Community School
How many pupils attend Portumna Community School?
Portumna Community School has 506 pupils enrolled, 243 girls and 263 boys. That makes it smaller than the median Irish post-primary school, which has 585 pupils.
Is Portumna Community School a DEIS school?
No. Portumna Community 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 Portumna Community School?
Portumna Community School has an Inter Denominational ethos. It is a mixed post-primary school.