St. Joseph's National School
Arklow, Wicklow
Key facts
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 500 larger than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 250 girls, 250 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 17181B the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
About
St. Joseph’s National School is a vibrant primary‑level institution serving children from junior infants to sixth class. The school places a strong emphasis on holistic development, integrating the Irish curriculum with a range of extra‑curricular programmes that foster creativity, scientific curiosity and community involvement. Regular activities such as theatre productions, kite‑making workshops linked to Science Week, and participation in local cultural events enrich the pupils’ learning experience beyond the classroom. A key feature of the school is its commitment to environmental stewardship through an active Green‑School Committee. Students are encouraged to adopt sustainable travel habits, including walking, cycling, scooting, using public transport and car‑pooling, supporting the national Green‑Schools initiative. The school also offers a variety of special classes and supports inclusive education, ensuring that every child’s needs are met. Facilities include dedicated spaces for arts, science and physical education, complemented by a well‑maintained school calendar that coordinates academic and community events.
Applying to St. Joseph's 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. Joseph's 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. Joseph's National School
How many pupils attend St. Joseph's National School?
St. Joseph's National School has 500 pupils enrolled, 250 girls and 250 boys. That makes it larger than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is St. Joseph's National School a DEIS school?
No. St. Joseph's 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. Joseph's National School?
St. Joseph's National School has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.