Although children are not obliged to attend school until the age of six, 65% of four year olds and most five year olds are enrolled in the infant classes in primary schools in Ireland. Primary schools operate an eight-year programme, consisting of two kindergarten years (Junior and Senior Infants), followed by classes 1-6.

The primary education system emphasises a child-centred approach and is founded on the belief that high quality education enables children to realise their potential as individuals and to live their lives to the fullest capacity appropriate to their particular stages of development. The primary curriculum (recently completely revised) provides for an extensive learning experience and promotes a rich variety of approaches to teaching and learning.

The curriculum is divided into the following key areas:

The aims of the curriculum are to ensure that all children are provided with learning opportunities that recognise and celebrate their uniqueness, develop their full potential and prepare them to meet the challenges of the 21st century. The focus is on the child as learner, and the use of a variety of teaching methodologies is an essential feature of the curriculum.

The curriculum aims to foster the development of key skills in communication, problem-solving, critical thinking, inquiry, investigation and analysis, and social and personal awareness and interaction. In particular, it places key emphasis on the acquisition of literacy and numeracy skills.

The curriculum emphasises the need for greater attention to be paid to students with special educational needs and emphasises the importance of achieving functional literacy and numeracy. It also draws attention to the needs of gifted children.

There are no formal examinations at the end of the primary school cycle.

The school year runs from September until the end of June with holidays at Easter and Christmas.

Types of schools:

The Irish primary education sector consists of state-funded primary schools, special schools and private primary schools. State funded schools include religious schools, non-denominatinal schools, multi-denominational schools and Gaelscoileanna.

Choosing a school:

Generally speaking you should be able to send your child to the school of your choice. However, when it comes to enrolling your child, you may find that there is little or no choice in the area in which you live. Each school operates an admissions policy which they must make available on request.

State-funded primary schools tend to give priority to children living in the immediate area, but problems can arise if their classes are already full and they have a waiting list. Multi-denominational schools, non-denominational schools and Gaelscoileanna each decide their own admissions policy.

October 2009 mid-term break - All schools will close from 26th to 30th October 2009 inclusive

Christmas 2009 - All schools will close on 22nd December 2009 which will be the final day of the school term. All schools will re-open on 7th January 2010

February 2010 mid-term break - Post-Primary schools will close from 15th to 19th February 2010 inclusive. Primary schools will close from 15th to 16th February 2010 inclusive or 18th to 19th inclusive. (Primary schools may use 3 discretionary days to extend this break to an alternative option of a 5 day break).

Easter 2010 - All schools will close on 26th March 2010 which will be the final day of the school term. All schools will re-open on 12th April 2010.

How to apply:

Apply directly to the school of your choice. Ask for their admissions policy and check whether you need to register your child's name on a waiting list.

For more detailed information :

Department of Education and Science
Marlborough Street
Dublin 1
Tel:+353-1-8896400
Fax:+353-1-8786712
Website: www.education.ie
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Useful Links:

• Scoilnet supports Ireland’s education community by providing information and advice to students, teachers and parents. Scoilnet offers resources on a wide range of subjects that have been evaluated by subject matter experts to make sure they are relevant to the curricula in Ireland
• Irish National Teachers Organisation is the largest teachers' union in Ireland
• Edunet is a virtual community for those involved in education in Ireland
• Léargas is Ireland's National Agency for the management of National, European and International co-operation programmes
• The Teaching Council promotes and develops teaching as a profession at primary and post-primary levels. It provides a forum for presenting the views of the profession on all aspects of the teaching career from initial recruitment to in-career professional development. The Council maintain a register of all teachers who teach in recognised schools in Ireland. As the regulatory body for teachers in Ireland, the Teaching Council produces a code of professional conduct for teachers, which covers standards of teaching, knowledge, skill and competence.
• Irish Primary Principals Network is a professional association of school leaders providing dedicated support and representation for principals and deputy principals. It exists to support the continued professional and personal development of primary school principals.
• Department of Education and Science
• Discover Primary Science
• School Days Ireland's Online Resource for Parents & Teachers