St Patricks Senior National School
Skerries, Dublin
Key facts
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 338 larger than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 168 girls, 170 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 16332O the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
St Patrick’s Senior National School is a Catholic primary school situated in the heart of Skerries, Co Dublin, on a shared campus with St Patrick’s Junior National School and adjacent to the Skerries Community Centre, the historic Skerries Windmill and the Skerries Harps GAA club. The school currently educates approximately 340 pupils across three classes in 3rd and 4th class and four classes in 5th and 6th class. A dedicated team of around 20 teachers, six Special Needs Assistants and two ancillary staff work together to deliver a broad, balanced curriculum that aims to develop each child academically, socially and spiritually. The school is undergoing a major development phase, with four new classrooms and three additional learning‑support rooms under construction, expanding its capacity and enhancing provision for pupils with additional needs. Its location gives easy access to the community centre’s sports and cultural facilities, which complement a rich extracurricular programme that includes football, hurling, athletics, soccer, Green Schools projects, wellbeing classes and the Rainbows scouting group. St Patrick’s ethos is rooted in Catholic values and a commitment to the full development of every child. Strong parental involvement is evident through an active Parents’ Association and representation on the Board of Management, fostering a close‑knit community that supports both academic achievement and personal growth.
History
The school traces its origins back to 1835, reflecting a long‑standing educational presence in the Skerries area. The present school building was erected in 1973, and the institution continues to evolve, most recently with extensive building works to add new classrooms and learning‑support facilities.
Applying to St Patricks Senior 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 Patricks Senior 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 Patricks Senior National School
How many pupils attend St Patricks Senior National School?
St Patricks Senior National School has 338 pupils enrolled, 168 girls and 170 boys. That makes it larger than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is St Patricks Senior National School a DEIS school?
No. St Patricks Senior 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 Patricks Senior National School?
St Patricks Senior National School has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.