Ratoath Senior National School
Ratoath, Meath
Key facts
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 319 larger than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 166 girls, 153 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 20200T the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Ratoath Senior National School is a Catholic primary school that provides a caring, inclusive environment where every child is encouraged to reach their full potential. The school’s ethos centres on high expectations, active learning and the development of curiosity and critical‑thinking skills through a strong STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics) programme. Participation in the Creative Schools initiative and the Gaelbhratach programme highlights a commitment to creativity, innovation and the promotion of Irish language and cultural heritage. The curriculum is underpinned by the “three R’s” – reading, writing and arithmetic – while also offering a broad range of extracurricular activities. Pupils can engage in a variety of sports, music, drama and art clubs, as well as specialised programmes such as coding, quiz competitions and a student council. Modern learning spaces include a class set of iPads, interactive whiteboards in every classroom and laptops for pupils with special educational needs. The school’s bright, airy building houses 20 classrooms, dedicated spaces for special‑education needs staff, a well‑equipped library and a state‑of‑the‑art garden used for outdoor learning.
History
Ratoath Senior National School opened for pupils on 1 September 2005 and was officially inaugurated by the Minister for Education on 21 September 2006. An extension to the school building was completed in 2010, adding further classroom capacity and facilities for special‑education needs. In 2011 the school celebrated its centenary, marking a milestone in its community involvement and development.
Applying to Ratoath Senior 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 Ratoath Senior 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 Ratoath Senior National School
How many pupils attend Ratoath Senior National School?
Ratoath Senior National School has 319 pupils enrolled, 166 girls and 153 boys. That makes it larger than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Ratoath Senior National School a DEIS school?
No. Ratoath Senior 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 Ratoath Senior National School?
Ratoath Senior National School has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.