St Annes National School
Straffan, Kildare
Key facts
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 329 larger than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 143 girls, 186 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 17674B the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
About
St Anne’s National School, Ardclough is a mixed, vertical‑class, Catholic‑patronage primary school serving a community of approximately 350 pupils. The school’s ethos is founded on a respect for every individual and the harmonious development of the pupil’s intellectual, physical, cultural, moral and spiritual dimensions. Learning is rooted in a Catholic worldview, with religious education delivered in line with the doctrines and traditions of the Roman Catholic Church, fostering a living relationship with God and with others. The curriculum is broad and varied, incorporating innovative teaching approaches such as the Intel Science Fair, extensive use of technology, and a strong commitment to environmental stewardship through the Green Schools programme. A wide range of extra‑curricular activities enriches pupil experience, including Gaelic games (football, hurling, camogie), athletics, debating, choir, chess, Irish dancing, speech and drama, STEM, coding and fitness clubs. Dedicated facilities accommodate 15 mainstream classes, an ASD class and specialist support for special educational needs, ensuring inclusive provision for all learners.
Applying to St Annes 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
View St Annes National School's own calendar (2026/2027 school year)
Irish schools follow a standardised school year, so these nationwide primary school dates apply broadly to St Annes National School. The school publishes its own calendar, linked above, and that is the authoritative source for its reopening date and discretionary closure days.
- 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 St Annes National School
How many pupils attend St Annes National School?
St Annes National School has 329 pupils enrolled, 143 girls and 186 boys. That makes it larger than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is St Annes National School a DEIS school?
No. St Annes 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 St Annes National School?
St Annes National School has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.