St Catherines Infant School
Cabra, Dublin
Key facts
- DEIS
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 139 larger than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 99 girls, 40 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 17466R the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
St Catherine’s Infant School is a co‑educational primary school situated on Ratoath Road in Cabra, Dublin 7, catering for children from Junior Infants through to First Class. The school operates within a shared building alongside St Catherine’s Senior School, providing a seamless transition for pupils who continue their education beyond the infant phase. Class sizes are kept small, with eight mainstream classrooms each accommodating roughly 15‑18 children, allowing for personalised attention and a supportive learning environment. The school places a strong emphasis on inclusive education. In addition to the mainstream classes, it runs two specialised “Stars” autism spectrum disorder (ASD) classes, the first of which opened in September 2016 and a second in September 2020. A dedicated sensory room, introduced in September 2017, supports sensory‑based learning and helps meet the needs of pupils with additional requirements. The school’s ethos centres on fostering curiosity, creativity and social development, with a broad programme of activities ranging from cultural celebrations to community‑led events such as St Patrick’s Day parades and charity fundraisers. A well‑rounded curriculum is complemented by a robust support team that includes special‑needs assistants, a psychotherapist, and dedicated caretakers. The school also promotes healthy living, as reflected in its published Healthy Eating Policy, and encourages parental involvement through regular communication, newsletters and an active online presence.
History
St Catherine’s Infant School expanded its provision for children with autism by opening its first Stars (ASD) class in September 2016. The following year, a sensory room was added to enhance sensory‑based learning. In September 2020 a second Stars class was launched, further strengthening the school’s commitment to inclusive education. The school continues to grow, with enrolments open for the 2026/2027 academic year across mainstream and autism‑specific classes.
Applying to St Catherines Infant 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 Catherines Infant 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 Catherines Infant School
How many pupils attend St Catherines Infant School?
St Catherines Infant School has 139 pupils enrolled, 99 girls and 40 boys. That makes it larger than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is St Catherines Infant School a DEIS school?
Yes. St Catherines Infant 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 St Catherines Infant School?
St Catherines Infant School has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.