St James National School
Askeaton, Limerick
Key facts
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 110 smaller than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 55 girls, 55 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 09702H the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
About
St James National School is a small rural primary school situated in the townland of Ballingrane, at the heart of the Cappagh parish in West Limerick. Set amidst a patchwork of lush countryside, the school serves a close‑knit community of farming families and local residents. The campus comprises a modernised main building that has been extended most recently in 2021, providing spacious classrooms, a dedicated learning hub and facilities that support a broad curriculum. With 111 pupils enrolled for the 2025/26 academic year, the school maintains a low pupil‑to‑staff ratio, employing seven teachers and seven ancillary staff to ensure personalised attention. The school’s educational philosophy, outlined in its Mission Statement, recognises each child as an individual and promotes a caring, creative environment. It places equal emphasis on the social, emotional, physical, intellectual, spiritual and moral development of learners, fostering a challenging yet supportive atmosphere that encourages academic success and positive relationships among pupils, families and the wider community. An active Parents’ Association and a proactive Board of Management further enrich the school life, reinforcing its role as a focal point for the local area.
History
St James National School was founded in 1866 by the Right Honourable Viscount Southwell. The original structure comprised two classrooms – one for girls adjacent to the church and one for boys – with living quarters for the headmaster situated centrally. This building served the community until the 1970s, when a newer school replaced the earlier village premises. The original school was refurbished and modernised during the 1990s. Subsequent extensions were completed in 2007 and again in 2021, reflecting the school’s growth and ongoing commitment to providing up‑to‑date facilities for its pupils.
Applying to St James 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
View St James National School's own calendar (2026/2027 school year)
Irish schools follow a standardised school year, so these nationwide primary school dates apply broadly to St James National School. The school publishes its own calendar, linked above, and that is the authoritative source for its reopening date and discretionary closure days.
- 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 James National School
How many pupils attend St James National School?
St James National School has 110 pupils enrolled, 55 girls and 55 boys. That makes it smaller than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is St James National School a DEIS school?
No. St James 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 James National School?
St James National School has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.