St Peters Primary
Bray, Wicklow
Key facts
- DEIS
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 156 larger than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 67 girls, 89 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 18464S the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
St Peter’s Primary School is a co‑educational Catholic primary school situated on Hawthorn Road in Bray, County Wicklow. Under the patronage of the Archbishop of Dublin, the school delivers a comprehensive religious education programme that prepares pupils for the sacraments of First Confession, First Holy Communion and Confirmation, while welcoming children of all faiths. The ethos is centred on fostering the full and harmonious development of each child – intellectually, physically, culturally, morally, emotionally and spiritually – within a safe, happy and inclusive environment. A strong partnership between the Board of Management, parents and the wider parish community underpins a collaborative approach to learning, encouraging mutual respect and appreciation of diverse backgrounds. The school benefits from a modern, purpose‑built campus opened in September 2016, which provides spacious, well‑equipped classrooms, an assembly hall, kitchen, staff facilities and a large playground with a shelter. Recent vertical integration (both boys and girls in every class from Junior Infants to Sixth Class) allows seamless progression through the primary years. Extra‑curricular life is vibrant, with regular sports, arts projects such as the celebrated 6th‑class graduation murals, and a regularly updated blog that showcases school events and achievements.
History
The original St Peter’s National School was constructed in 1844 and opened in 1849 in Little Bray, later rebuilt in 1874 after a collapse. Initially teaching boys and girls on separate floors, the school expanded under the Sisters of Charity, who added facilities at Ravenswell in 1901 for the girls. In 1961 the boys moved to a new building on Hawthorn Road, featuring five classrooms and a playground. Overcrowding led to prefabricated extensions and three further additions in the 1970s, creating a modern complex with six classrooms, an assembly hall, kitchen and staff rooms. In August 2014 the school became a fully vertical, co‑educational institution, and in September 2016 it relocated to a newly constructed campus that continues to serve the community today.
Applying to St Peters Primary
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 Primary. 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 Primary
How many pupils attend St Peters Primary?
St Peters Primary has 156 pupils enrolled, 67 girls and 89 boys. That makes it larger than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is St Peters Primary a DEIS school?
Yes. St Peters Primary 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 Primary?
St Peters Primary has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.