St Helens Senior National School
Portmarnock, Dublin
Key facts
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 381 larger than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 187 girls, 194 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 19762I the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
St Helen’s Senior National School is a vibrant primary institution situated on Limetree Avenue in Portmarnock, Co. Dublin. It caters for children from third to sixth class, offering 13 mainstream classrooms alongside dedicated special‑education provision. The school places a strong emphasis on celebrating pupil achievement, encouraging learners to share their experiences and develop confidence through a range of extracurricular activities such as science weeks, fundraising bake events and a school‑wide app that keeps families up‑to‑date with news and photographs. The learning environment is designed to be inclusive and supportive, with four special‑education teachers and two special‑needs assistants working alongside the mainstream staff. Facilities include a permanent building completed in the mid‑1980s, equipped with modern classrooms, a multi‑purpose hall and dedicated spaces for practical subjects. The school’s ethos centres on creating lasting memories for every child, fostering a sense of community, and providing a safe, nurturing setting where each pupil can thrive academically and socially.
History
St Helen’s Senior National School opened its doors on 1 July 1977 in two prefabricated classrooms on the grounds of St Marnock’s School, initially serving fifty Junior Infants with two teachers. In 1978 the school moved to its present Martello site and a permanent building was erected in 1980. The following year the school was divided into junior and senior sections, with the Senior National School officially opening on 1 September 1981 to 130 pupils and four teachers. The permanent building was completed in 1985 and formally opened on 23 October 1986. After reaching a peak enrolment of over 600 pupils in the 1980s, the school now educates approximately 357 pupils across mainstream and autism classes, supported by specialised staff.
Applying to St Helens Senior 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 Helens Senior 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 Helens Senior National School
How many pupils attend St Helens Senior National School?
St Helens Senior National School has 381 pupils enrolled, 187 girls and 194 boys. That makes it larger than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is St Helens Senior National School a DEIS school?
No. St Helens Senior 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 Helens Senior National School?
St Helens Senior National School has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.