St Saviours National School
Rathdrum, Wicklow
Key facts
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 124 about the same size as the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 57 girls, 67 boys
- Ethos
- Church Of Ireland
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 12529N the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
St Saviour’s National School is a co‑educational primary school in Rathdrum, County Wicklow, operating under the patronage of the Church of Ireland Bishop of Dublin and Glendalough. The school’s ethos is rooted in Christian principles of love and respect, seeking to nurture each child’s spiritual, moral, personal and social development while encouraging the highest standards of academic achievement. The school provides a supportive learning environment with five mainstream teachers, a dedicated hub for children with autism, two special‑education teaching posts (including a job‑share arrangement), special needs assistants, and a classroom assistant. Facilities include modern classrooms, a purpose‑built hub, a garden and the commemorative Clodagh’s Garden, as well as a range of extracurricular opportunities such as sports, gardening and community projects. The school’s philosophy emphasises fairness, tolerance and respect, fostering a sense of belonging where pupils are encouraged to grow, connect and belong as part of a close‑knit community.
History
St Saviour’s National School was founded in 1825 by the Kildare Place Society to educate children of the Church of Ireland parish of Rathdrum. The original premises were off Main Street, behind the former Central Shop. An endowment from the Erasmus Smith Board in 1831 enabled the purchase of equipment. In 1883 the school conformed to national regulations and became the No. 2 National School, then known as The Number 2 School, with 51 pupils. Early principals included Samuel McKee, Isaac Saul and Samuel Dowzer. Following the closure of the Church of Ireland school at Ballinatone in the 1950s, its pupils transferred to St Saviour’s. A new school building on Station Road was officially opened in 1984 after extensive fundraising. Over the decades the school has evolved to welcome children of diverse faiths and nationalities, enriching its educational community.
Applying to St Saviours 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 Saviours 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 Saviours National School
How many pupils attend St Saviours National School?
St Saviours National School has 124 pupils enrolled, 57 girls and 67 boys. That makes it about the same size as the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is St Saviours National School a DEIS school?
No. St Saviours 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 Saviours National School?
St Saviours National School has a Church Of Ireland ethos. It is a mixed primary school.