Waterpark National School
Waterford
Key facts
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 235 larger than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 113 girls, 122 boys
- Ethos
- Catholic
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 20143K the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Waterpark National School is a co‑educational primary school situated in Waterford City under the patronage of the Roman Catholic Bishop of Waterford and Lismore. The school embraces a values‑led ethos, nurturing kindness, courage, respect, fun and fairness while its Vision – ENCOURAGE, EMPOWER, ENJOY – underpins a learning environment where every child is respected and given the opportunity to thrive. Although rooted in Catholic tradition, daily prayer, Religious Education and sacramental preparation are core elements, yet children of all faiths are warmly welcomed and their backgrounds respected. The school provides modern, purpose‑built facilities following a major 2015 extension that added four state‑of‑the‑art classrooms and two dedicated Learning Support/Resource Rooms. Single‑grade classrooms are complemented by a team of Special Education Teachers and Special Needs Assistants, ensuring inclusive provision for pupils with additional needs. A strong emphasis is placed on holistic development: health‑promoting initiatives such as Green Schools, the Active School Flag and STEM programmes are integrated with a vibrant sporting programme (soccer, hurling, camogie, gymnastics, orienteering, basketball) and creative projects, exemplified by the whole‑school publication *We are Writers*. The school community is further enriched by an active Parents Association, a student council, and collaborative decision‑making processes that foster a supportive, caring atmosphere.
History
Waterpark National School opened on 3 September 2001 with 59 pupils and three teachers. Since then the enrolment has expanded to approximately 240 pupils and a staff of 13 teachers, reflecting substantial growth and development over the past two decades.
Applying to Waterpark 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
View Waterpark National School's own calendar (2026/2027 school year)
Irish schools follow a standardised school year, so these nationwide primary school dates apply broadly to Waterpark National School. The school publishes its own calendar, linked above, and that is the authoritative source for its reopening date and discretionary closure days.
- 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 Waterpark National School
How many pupils attend Waterpark National School?
Waterpark National School has 235 pupils enrolled, 113 girls and 122 boys. That makes it larger than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Waterpark National School a DEIS school?
No. Waterpark 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 Waterpark National School?
Waterpark National School has a Catholic ethos. It is a mixed primary school.