Scoil Padre Pio National School
Churchfield, Cork
Key facts
- DEIS
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 264 larger than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 127 girls, 137 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 18217B the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Scoil Padre Pio National School provides a caring, inclusive environment for children from early‑start preschool through to the end of primary education. The school follows the Irish Primary School Curriculum, which is presented as a holistic programme that nurtures spiritual, moral, cognitive, emotional, imaginative, aesthetic, social and physical development. By recognising each pupil’s individuality, the school encourages children to take ownership of their learning and to build a solid foundation for future education and adult life. The campus is equipped with modern teaching resources, including interactive whiteboards in every classroom, a brand‑new multipurpose hall, two sensory rooms and a sensory garden. An on‑site Early Start facility welcomes pre‑school children, while the Sióltá programme offers five specialised classes for autistic pupils, ensuring that diverse learning needs are met. The school also makes extensive use of nearby community facilities such as Churchfield swimming pool, local basketball courts, Sam Allen astro pitches, St Vincent’s GAA club and Hollyhill library. Beyond the core curriculum, pupils enjoy a wide range of extracurricular activities. Sports programmes feature basketball, GAA and soccer; the arts are supported through choir and craftwork; and a partnership with University College Cork and Collins Aerospace provides engineering projects that enrich the STEM experience. This blend of academic rigour, state‑of‑the‑art facilities and community‑linked activities creates a vibrant setting for holistic child development.
Applying to Scoil Padre Pio 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 Scoil Padre Pio 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 Scoil Padre Pio National School
How many pupils attend Scoil Padre Pio National School?
Scoil Padre Pio National School has 264 pupils enrolled, 127 girls and 137 boys. That makes it larger than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Scoil Padre Pio National School a DEIS school?
Yes. Scoil Padre Pio National School is part of DEIS, the Department of Education programme called Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools. DEIS schools serve communities at risk of educational disadvantage and receive additional supports, which can include smaller classes, extra teaching posts and funding for books and meals.
What is the ethos of Scoil Padre Pio National School?
Scoil Padre Pio National School has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.