Scoil Náisiúnta Gort Na Gaoithe
Newbridge, Galway
Key facts
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 64 smaller than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 25 girls, 39 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 18111I the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Windfield National School (Scoil Naisiunta Gort Na Gaoithe) is a co‑educational primary school serving the Newbridge area of Ballinasloe, County Galway. The school provides education from Junior Infants through to Sixth Class, delivering the Irish primary curriculum with a strong emphasis on both the Irish language and modern digital skills. Recent funding from the EU’s Next Generation EU programme has enabled the installation of interactive panels in every classroom, supporting learners at risk of educational disadvantage and narrowing the digital divide. The school’s learning environment combines traditional classroom teaching with contemporary technology, fostering interactive and collaborative learning experiences. Facilities include well‑equipped classrooms, a dedicated school lunch service, and access to a range of extracurricular activities reflected in its vibrant news and events programme. Windfield National School is committed to the wellbeing and holistic development of its pupils, underpinned by a clear ethos and a suite of safeguarding and wellbeing policies.
History
The origins of the school trace back to temporary post‑hedge‑school arrangements in the Curraghduff area. The first permanent building was erected in Windfield, with the “Old School” constructed in 1892 by the Hynes Brothers, originally housing separate boys’ and girls’ schools. Amalgamation of the two schools occurred around 1942 due to falling enrolments. The present school building was opened in 1958, and further amalgamations, such as with Cappagh National School in the late 1960s, have shaped its development. Over the decades the school has evolved from a modest rural institution to a modern primary school equipped with contemporary learning technologies.
Applying to Scoil Náisiúnta Gort Na Gaoithe
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 Scoil Náisiúnta Gort Na Gaoithe. 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 Scoil Náisiúnta Gort Na Gaoithe
How many pupils attend Scoil Náisiúnta Gort Na Gaoithe?
Scoil Náisiúnta Gort Na Gaoithe has 64 pupils enrolled, 25 girls and 39 boys. That makes it smaller than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Scoil Náisiúnta Gort Na Gaoithe a DEIS school?
No. Scoil Náisiúnta Gort Na Gaoithe 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 Scoil Náisiúnta Gort Na Gaoithe?
Scoil Náisiúnta Gort Na Gaoithe has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.