St Marks Special School
NEWBRIDGE, Kildare
Key facts
- Special school
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 109 smaller than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 35 girls, 74 boys
- Ethos
- Multi Denominational
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 19455W the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
About
St Mark's Special National School is a co-educational school in Newbridge, Co. Kildare, for pupils assessed as having a mild general learning disability. The school follows an individualised education model centred on each pupil's Individual Educational Plan. Most students are of post-primary age. Junior Cycle students work towards certification at Levels 1, 2, or 3, and Senior Cycle students complete QQI modules at Levels 1, 2, or 3. The Junior Cycle programme focuses on the Level Two Learning Programme, with priority learning units in living in the community, personal care, preparing for work, communication and literacy, and numeracy. Short course options include caring for animals, enterprise in animation, and grow, cook, eat. Some students may attempt a Level 3 exam in English or Maths. Pupils also work on S.E.S.E projects, take part in arts including art and craft, drama, and Lego, and complete practical subjects such as woodwork, computers, cookery, and horticulture. The primary class is made up of 5th and 6th class students.
Applying to St Marks Special 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 Marks Special 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 Marks Special School
How many pupils attend St Marks Special School?
St Marks Special School has 109 pupils enrolled, 35 girls and 74 boys. That makes it smaller than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is St Marks Special School a DEIS school?
No. St Marks Special 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 Marks Special School?
St Marks Special School has a Multi Denominational ethos. It is a mixed primary school.