St Catherines West National School
Dublin
Key facts
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 193 larger than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 87 girls, 106 boys
- Ethos
- Church Of Ireland
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 15625B the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
St Catherine’s West National School is a small Church of Ireland primary school that has served the Dublin 8 community for more than 110 years. The school promotes a friendly, family‑like atmosphere built on respectful, kind behaviour and mutual trust among pupils, parents and staff. Its Christian ethos is centred on the Golden Rule and a commitment to inclusive, high‑quality education that recognises each child’s unique talents. The curriculum is enriched by a strong emphasis on enquiry‑based learning, Aistear integrated play, and outdoor education, with maths trails, field trips and a dedicated “Active School” programme that uses the school grounds for hands‑on learning. The school is well‑resourced for inclusive education, employing a team of full‑time teachers, four Special Education Teachers and six special‑needs assistants who provide tailored support such as SET programmes, neuro‑diversity provisions and allied health services. Digital learning is supported through the Microsoft Dreamspace Ambassadors programme and specialist IT staff, while extracurricular activities include hurling, soccer, gymnastics, music, chess and community‑service projects. Strong links with the local parish, parent association and wider community enhance the school’s role as a hub of civic engagement and cultural celebration.
History
St Catherine’s West National School was established in the early 20th century (circa 1907) and has been a fixture of the Dublin 8 neighbourhood for over a century. Its long‑standing connection with local families is reflected in generations of pupils attending the school, and the institution has continually evolved while maintaining its core Christian values and community‑focused ethos.
Applying to St Catherines West 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
Irish schools follow a standardised school year, so these nationwide primary school dates apply broadly to St Catherines West National 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 West National School
How many pupils attend St Catherines West National School?
St Catherines West National School has 193 pupils enrolled, 87 girls and 106 boys. That makes it larger than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is St Catherines West National School a DEIS school?
No. St Catherines West 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 Catherines West National School?
St Catherines West National School has a Church Of Ireland ethos. It is a mixed primary school.