Rathangan Boys National School
Kildare
Key facts
- Boys
- Pupils enrolled
- 308 larger than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 15957D the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Rathangan Boys National School (St Patrick’s B.N.S.) is a Catholic primary school situated in the heart of the village of Rathangan. It provides a holistic education for children from Junior Infants to Sixth Class, serving over 320 pupils across 13 mainstream classrooms and a dedicated ASD class. The school’s ethos positions it as a centre of learning that recognises each child’s individual talents, strengths and unique differences, fostering a climate of inquiry, openness and honesty. The curriculum is described as an emergent response to learners’ needs, valuing the process of learning as much as the product. Modern facilities support this approach: the current school building was officially opened in June 2017 and an astro‑turf pitch was added in October 2022, offering ample space for sport and outdoor activities. Rathangan B.N.S. also embraces contemporary wellbeing initiatives, including the evidence‑based KiVa anti‑bullying programme and the Active Schools Flag, underscoring its commitment to a safe, inclusive and active learning environment.
History
Rathangan Boys National School, also known as St Patrick’s B.N.S., has grown to accommodate more than 320 students and now operates 13 mainstream classrooms together with a specialised ASD class. The present school building was officially opened in June 2017, marking a significant upgrade to its facilities, and an astro‑turf pitch was added in October 2022 to enhance sporting provision. These developments reflect the school’s ongoing commitment to providing modern, purpose‑built environments for its community.
Applying to Rathangan Boys 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 Rathangan Boys 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 Rathangan Boys National School
How many pupils attend Rathangan Boys National School?
Rathangan Boys National School has 308 pupils enrolled. That makes it larger than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Rathangan Boys National School a DEIS school?
No. Rathangan Boys 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 Rathangan Boys National School?
Rathangan Boys National School has a Catholic ethos. It is a boys' primary school.