St Laurence O Toole National School
Bray, Wicklow
Key facts
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 254 larger than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 132 girls, 122 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 16634H the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
St Laurence O’Toole’s National School is a co‑educational Catholic primary school serving the Roundwood community in County Wicklow. The school provides a child‑centred, inclusive education for pupils from Junior Infants to 6th class, including two dedicated classes for children with autism. Guided by the locally‑developed “Tochar Values” – Teamwork, Championing Others, Cinéaltas, Honour, Engagement in Learning and Resilience – the school aims to foster high expectations, personal wellbeing and active pupil voice within a caring, safe environment. The campus combines modern facilities with a strong sense of community. It comprises eight classrooms, a purpose‑built P.E. hall, a staff room and separate gender‑specific toilets for pupils and adults. Extensions added in 2011 and 2014 have expanded learning spaces, and a new purpose‑built ASD unit is under construction. A broad range of extracurricular activities, such as guitar, sewing and student‑led events, complement the curriculum and support the holistic development of each child.
History
In the early 1800s Roundwood had four small schools; St Laurence O’Toole’s National School opened on the main street in 1923, replacing the earlier back‑road school. The original building later became a private residence. As the village grew, a new school was planned in the late 1970s on the former Fair Green site. Construction was completed in five years and the new premises opened in 1984 with eight classrooms, a P.E. hall and dedicated facilities. Since then the pupil roll has tripled, and further extensions were added in 2011 and 2014, with plans for an additional ASD unit.
Applying to St Laurence O Toole 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 Laurence O Toole 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 Laurence O Toole National School
How many pupils attend St Laurence O Toole National School?
St Laurence O Toole National School has 254 pupils enrolled, 132 girls and 122 boys. That makes it larger than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is St Laurence O Toole National School a DEIS school?
No. St Laurence O Toole 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 Laurence O Toole National School?
St Laurence O Toole National School has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.