Whitechurch National School
Rathfarnham, Dublin
Key facts
- Mixed
- Pupils enrolled
- 194 larger than the median Irish primary school (123 pupils)
- Girls and boys
- 85 girls, 109 boys
- Ethos
- Church Of Ireland
- Teaching through Irish
- No subjects through Irish
- Roll number
- 11638N the Department of Education reference for this school
School details
Location
About
Whitechurch National School is a co‑educational primary school under the patronage of the Church of Ireland, operating in accordance with the Department of Education and Skills curriculum. The school’s ethos centres on creating a nurturing environment where each child is encouraged academically, socially and spiritually to become a responsible, happy individual. Emphasis is placed on mutual respect, tolerance and close home‑school cooperation, ensuring that every pupil feels valued regardless of gender, background or ability. The campus combines modern facilities with ample outdoor space. It houses eight single‑grade mainstream classrooms, four support‑teaching rooms, a dedicated pupil library, a well‑equipped PE hall, an astroturf sports pitch and a school garden, all surrounded by large playing areas. Recent extensions have added a new entrance, reception, offices and additional classrooms, supporting a staff team that includes mainstream and support teachers, SNAs and administrative personnel. Strong links with the local parish enrich the spiritual life of the school, with regular participation in church services and a curriculum that integrates biblical values with secular learning.
History
Whitechurch National School was founded in 1823, with early record books now held at the Museum of Education, Rathmines. The original school building and teacher’s residence, funded at a cost of over £400, served the community until 1990 when a larger, modern school was opened across the road. Initial facilities comprised four classrooms and a PE hall; a prefab added two more classrooms, bringing the total to six. In 2008 a two‑classroom extension replaced the prefab, and a further expansion in 2016 added two additional classrooms, a new entrance, reception area, offices and support‑teaching rooms. Today the school offers eight mainstream classrooms, four support rooms, a library, PE hall, astroturf pitch, garden and extensive playing fields, serving over 200 pupils aged 4‑12. The original 1823 school and teacher’s residence, both listed B buildings, have been restored and now serve parish and community functions.
Applying to Whitechurch 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 Whitechurch 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 Whitechurch 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 Whitechurch National School
How many pupils attend Whitechurch National School?
Whitechurch National School has 194 pupils enrolled, 85 girls and 109 boys. That makes it larger than the median Irish primary school, which has 123 pupils.
Is Whitechurch National School a DEIS school?
No. Whitechurch 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 Whitechurch National School?
Whitechurch National School has a Church Of Ireland ethos. It is a mixed primary school.