St Coens Primary School
Rathnew, Wicklow
Key facts
- DEIS
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 328 larger than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 147 girls, 181 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 20208M the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
St. Coen’s National School, situated in Rathnew, County Wicklow, provides a broad, balanced curriculum that seeks to develop pupils holistically – academically, spiritually, socially, emotionally, physically and creatively. The school offers a safe, nurturing environment for children of all abilities, with sixteen mainstream classrooms and two specialist classes for pupils diagnosed with autism. As a DEIS Urban Band 1 school it benefits from a full‑time Home School Community Liaison Teacher, class sizes averaging below twenty, free hot meals for every student and participation in the School Completion Programme, all of which support attendance and retention, particularly for the most vulnerable learners. The school’s ethos is rooted in its Catholic patronage under the Archbishop of Dublin, emphasising partnership with parents, respect, honesty and integrity. It aims to empower children with the knowledge, skills and confidence to reach their full potential, encouraging pride in both school and community. Modern facilities are housed in a purpose‑built building at Merrymeeting, opened in December 2016, providing contemporary learning spaces for both mainstream and special‑needs education.
History
St. Coen’s National School opened its doors in the 2016/2017 academic year following the amalgamation of St. Joseph’s GNS and St. Ernan’s BNS. The new purpose‑built premises in Merrymeeting were officially opened in December 2016. The school is named after St Coen, a derivation of the old Irish name Caoimhín (Kevin), and is located in an area historically known as Droim Coen, the “Ridge of Kevin”.
Applying to St Coens Primary 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 Coens Primary 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 Coens Primary School
How many pupils attend St Coens Primary School?
St Coens Primary School has 328 pupils enrolled, 147 girls and 181 boys. That makes it larger than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is St Coens Primary School a DEIS school?
Yes. St Coens Primary 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 Coens Primary School?
St Coens Primary School has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.