St. Catherine's Vocational School
Killybegs, Donegal
Key facts
- DEIS
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 359 smaller than the median Irish post-primary school (585 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 174 girls, 185 boys
- Ethos
- Multi Denominational
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects taught through Irish
- Roll number
- 71241W the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
St. Catherine’s Vocational School is a state‑funded, co‑educational post‑primary institution operating under the patronage of the Donegal Education and Training Board. The school delivers the full three‑year Junior Cycle and offers an optional Transition Year before students embark on a two‑ or three‑year Senior Cycle. Pupils can follow the traditional Leaving Certificate programme, the Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme (LCVP) or the Leaving Certificate Applied (LCAP), providing pathways to further education, higher education or direct entry to the workplace. The school’s educational ethos is rooted in the Donegal ETB core values of excellence in education, care, equality, community and respect. Learning is designed to be holistic, with a focus on intellectual, social, moral and physical development. Facilities are purpose‑built to support a broad curriculum, including modern classrooms, science laboratories, an ICT suite, a sports hall and dedicated spaces for creative and practical subjects, enabling students to explore a wide range of interests in a safe and inclusive environment. Strong links with local community groups, youth services and further‑education providers ensure that students benefit from a supportive network beyond the classroom, encouraging active citizenship and lifelong learning.
Applying to St. Catherine's Vocational 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 post-primary school dates apply broadly to St. Catherine's Vocational 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: Mon 15 Feb – Fri 19 Feb 2027 (primary schools: Thu 18 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. Catherine's Vocational School
How many pupils attend St. Catherine's Vocational School?
St. Catherine's Vocational School has 359 pupils enrolled, 174 girls and 185 boys. That makes it smaller than the median Irish post-primary school, which has 585 pupils.
Is St. Catherine's Vocational School a DEIS school?
Yes. St. Catherine's Vocational 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. Catherine's Vocational School?
St. Catherine's Vocational School has a Multi Denominational ethos. It is a mixed post-primary school.