Scoil Phadraig Naofa
Rochestown, Cork
Key facts
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 460 larger than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 250 girls, 210 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 20335T the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
About
Scoil Phádraig Naofa is a co‑educational Catholic primary school situated in the heart of Rochestown, Cork. The school provides a happy, friendly and caring environment where children feel secure, valued and encouraged to develop their full potential. Its ethos is rooted in Christian values while remaining inclusive of pupils of other faiths or none, fostering a community that celebrates diversity and mutual respect. The school operates across modern, purpose‑built facilities that were delivered in two phases between 2009 and 2013. The building offers bright, spacious classrooms for each class level, a dedicated school hall, and specialised rooms that support a wide range of extracurricular and developmental activities. With a child‑centred, progressive approach, the school aims to deliver a rich variety of learning opportunities, balancing academic rigour with the nurturing of personal passions in a supportive atmosphere.
History
The name of the school is linked to the local St Patrick’s Church, built in 1991. After more than 20 years of community demand, a start‑up group initiated the project in 2006/07 and the school opened in temporary accommodation in Douglas Hall in September 2008 with two teachers and 34 Junior Infants. The permanent site at Foxwood was purchased in August 2008; Phase One construction began on 5 January 2009 and was completed on 24 June 2009, providing the initial classrooms. Rapid enrolment growth led to a return to temporary premises in 2012 while Phase Two was built between 5 February 2013 and 30 August 2013, adding further classrooms and a school hall. The modern, bright building now serves the growing Rochestown community.
Applying to Scoil Phadraig Naofa
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 Phadraig Naofa. 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 Phadraig Naofa
How many pupils attend Scoil Phadraig Naofa?
Scoil Phadraig Naofa has 460 pupils enrolled, 250 girls and 210 boys. That makes it larger than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Scoil Phadraig Naofa a DEIS school?
No. Scoil Phadraig Naofa 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 Phadraig Naofa?
Scoil Phadraig Naofa has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.