St Pauls National School
Mountmellick, Laois
Key facts
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 41 smaller than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 18 girls, 23 boys
- Ethos
- Church Of Ireland
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 19369G the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
About
St Paul’s National School, Mountmellick, is a co‑educational primary school under the patronage of the Church of Ireland. It delivers a holistic, child‑centred curriculum that balances academic learning with spiritual, moral, social and creative development. The school’s ethos is rooted in the values of honesty, charity, kindness, patience and personal responsibility, and it welcomes children of all faiths and none, fostering an inclusive community where every pupil is respected and encouraged to thrive. The learning environment is supported by extensive outdoor facilities. Pupils have access to large playground areas that include grass pitches and a tarmacadam basketball court, as well as a dedicated bicycle shed. These spaces enable a broad range of physical activities and play‑based learning, reinforcing the school’s commitment to the physical and emotional wellbeing of its students. Strong partnership with parents is promoted, recognising that collaborative support is essential for equipping children with the skills needed for an ever‑changing world.
History
St Paul’s National School originated as Mountmellick Parochial School, constructed in 1866. The original premises now serve as the parish hall, with the adjacent house once housing the teacher. In 1976 the school moved to its current site on land donated by the Pim family, at which point the name was changed to St Paul’s National School. The present building underwent a complete renovation in 2009.
Applying to St Pauls 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 Pauls 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 Pauls National School
How many pupils attend St Pauls National School?
St Pauls National School has 41 pupils enrolled, 18 girls and 23 boys. That makes it smaller than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is St Pauls National School a DEIS school?
No. St Pauls 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 Pauls National School?
St Pauls National School has a Church Of Ireland ethos. It is a mixed primary school.