St Peters National School Senior
Athlone, Westmeath
Key facts
- DEIS
- Girls
- Pupils enrolled
- 112 about the same size as the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 105 girls, 7 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 07722D the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
St. Peter’s National School Senior (Snr) is a Catholic primary school serving girls aged 7‑13 in classes 2nd to 6th, together with a dedicated special‑needs class for boys and girls with mild learning disabilities. The school provides a holistic, inclusive education to a multicultural community, emphasising personal and academic development within a caring, secure and challenging environment. With a staff complement of 13 teachers, the school operates seven mainstream classes and two special‑needs classes, supported by a full‑time and two part‑time special‑education teachers and a shared Home‑School Liaison Officer. The school benefits from a historic, architecturally significant building designed by Ralph Byrne in the 1930s, which is listed as a preserved structure. Modern facilities include a breakfast club each morning (08:30‑09:00) and a homework club each evening (14:50‑18:00), providing pupils with nutritious meals and supervised study time. Environmental stewardship is a key feature: the Green School Committee has earned five An Taisce Green Flags for excellence in waste, energy, water, transport and biodiversity management, and the school maintains an active garden. A wide range of extracurricular activities – from Gaelic football and music to the “Big Sister” mentorship programme – enriches pupil life and fosters community spirit.
History
St Peter’s Girls’ National School opened in 1934 after the Sisters of Mercy acquired the site in 1930 and commissioned a new modern school. The building, designed by architect Ralph Byrne, has been described as “perhaps the finest school building in Athlone” and is now listed as a preserved building. Original 1933 drawings show a two‑storey, seven‑bay structure with two rear wings, and the turret is modelled on the steeple of the old Priory of Saints Peter and Paul. The school’s official Irish name is “An Scoil Chluineach ar choimirce NN Peadar agus Pól”.
Applying to St Peters National School Senior
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 Peters National School Senior. 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 Peters National School Senior
How many pupils attend St Peters National School Senior?
St Peters National School Senior has 112 pupils enrolled, 105 girls and 7 boys. That makes it about the same size as the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is St Peters National School Senior a DEIS school?
Yes. St Peters National School Senior 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 Peters National School Senior?
St Peters National School Senior has a Catholic ethos. It is a girls' primary school.