St John's Parochial School
Tralee, Kerry
Key facts
- DEIS
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 61 smaller than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 32 girls, 29 boys
- Ethos
- Church Of Ireland
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 18233W the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
St John's Parochial School is a mixed Church of Ireland primary school in the centre of Tralee, County Kerry, with DEIS status. Enrolment is 61 pupils. The school has four teachers and makes use of Tralee's parks, amenities and cultural spaces for active learning. Children wear a tracksuit as the school uniform. The school participates in the Active School programme and the Junior Entrepreneur Programme. Pupils take part in events including Seachtain na Gaeilge, World Book Day, Wellbeing Week and Culture Day. School tours have included visits to Sandy Feet Farm, Crag Cave, Jamie Knox Watersports, the Wetlands Centre and the Aquadome.
History
There is no specific record of Anglican schooling in Tralee before the early 19th century, though some form of education is thought to have existed. In 1814 the Select Vestry agreed to levy £20 for the maintenance and education of poor deserted infants in the parish. A schoolmaster, Robert Supple, was appointed Vestry Clerk in 1819, indicating a school existed then. A lease dated December 13th 1826 from Sir Edward Denny granted buildings and land to the Rectors and Church Wardens for promoting the education of the poor. The building served as a Church of Ireland parish school from 1826, later becoming mixed. The old school closed in 1958 and the new school was officially opened on August 31st 1958. Extensions added two classrooms in 1997. In 1971 the one-teacher school in Ballymacelligott closed and amalgamated with Tralee.
Applying to St John's Parochial 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 John's Parochial 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 John's Parochial School
How many pupils attend St John's Parochial School?
St John's Parochial School has 61 pupils enrolled, 32 girls and 29 boys. That makes it smaller than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is St John's Parochial School a DEIS school?
Yes. St John's Parochial 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 John's Parochial School?
St John's Parochial School has a Church Of Ireland ethos. It is a mixed primary school.