St Josephs National School
Carlow
Key facts
- DEIS
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 149 larger than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 71 girls, 78 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 17127S the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
About
St. Joseph’s National School, situated in Hacketstown, County Carlow, delivers primary education within a nurturing, community‑focused setting. The school’s ethos centres on providing quality education that balances academic rigour with the personal development of each child. Classrooms are arranged to support interactive learning, and the school offers dedicated spaces for early years, including a welcoming Junior Infants environment where new pupils are introduced to school life through induction afternoons. The school places a strong emphasis on inclusion, offering specialised provision for children with autism alongside mainstream classes. Health, safety and child‑safeguarding policies are regularly reviewed to ensure a secure atmosphere. Facilities support a broad curriculum, with areas for creative arts, physical education and outdoor play, fostering a well‑rounded experience that prepares pupils for the next stage of their education while reinforcing the values of respect, responsibility and community involvement.
Applying to St Josephs 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 Josephs 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 Josephs National School
How many pupils attend St Josephs National School?
St Josephs National School has 149 pupils enrolled, 71 girls and 78 boys. That makes it larger than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is St Josephs National School a DEIS school?
Yes. St Josephs National 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 Josephs National School?
St Josephs National School has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.