St Annes Special School
The Curragh, Kildare
Key facts
- Special school
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 74 smaller than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 26 girls, 48 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 19277B the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
About
St Anne’s Special School is situated in the rural setting of Ballymany Cross, The Curragh, County Kildare. As a dedicated special school, it provides a supportive learning environment for children and young people with a range of additional educational needs. The school’s location offers a peaceful backdrop that contributes to a calm and nurturing atmosphere, helping pupils to focus on their personal and academic development. The curriculum is designed to be highly individualised, with programmes tailored to each pupil’s abilities, interests and therapeutic requirements. Teaching methods incorporate multisensory approaches, life‑skills training and collaborative activities that promote independence and confidence. Facilities are adapted to ensure accessibility and safety, including specialised classrooms, sensory rooms and outdoor spaces that facilitate both learning and recreation. St Anne’s places a strong emphasis on partnership with families and local health and social services, fostering a holistic support network for each child. Through regular review and close communication, the school aims to maximise educational outcomes and prepare pupils for greater participation in the wider community.
Applying to St Annes Special 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 St Annes Special 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 St Annes Special School
How many pupils attend St Annes Special School?
St Annes Special School has 74 pupils enrolled, 26 girls and 48 boys. That makes it smaller than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is St Annes Special School a DEIS school?
No. St Annes Special 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 Special School?
St Annes Special School has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.