Saint Catherine's Primary School
Cork
Key facts
- Girls
- Pupils enrolled
- 414 larger than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 18253F the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Saint Catherine’s National School is a vibrant primary school situated in Bishopstown, Cork, serving children from infant through to sixth class. The school operates a structured timetable that begins at 8.50 a.m., with infant classes finishing at 1.30 p.m. and senior classes at 2.30 p.m., and the gates opening at 8.30 a.m. to welcome families each morning. The campus is positioned on Bishopstown Avenue West, Model Farm Road, providing a welcoming environment for the local community. The school places a strong emphasis on holistic development, offering a balanced programme that blends academic rigour with a wide range of extracurricular activities. Recent investment through a 2021 grant under the Irish National Recovery and Resilience Plan has enabled the introduction of enhanced digital resources, supporting learners at risk of educational disadvantage. This funding has been directed towards the development of numeracy, problem‑solving, robotics and coding initiatives, ensuring that pupils acquire contemporary skills alongside the core curriculum. Community involvement is a cornerstone of Saint Catherine’s ethos. The website highlights a commitment to showcasing daily school life, events, and the unique character of the school community, fostering a sense of belonging for pupils, parents and staff alike. The school’s online presence, including a Twitter feed, provides regular updates and insights into school activities, reinforcing transparent communication with families.
Applying to Saint Catherine's Primary 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 Saint Catherine's Primary 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 Saint Catherine's Primary School
How many pupils attend Saint Catherine's Primary School?
Saint Catherine's Primary School has 414 pupils enrolled. That makes it larger than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Saint Catherine's Primary School a DEIS school?
No. Saint Catherine's Primary 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 Saint Catherine's Primary School?
Saint Catherine's Primary School has a Catholic ethos. It is a girls' primary school.