Mary Mother Of Hope Junior National School
School Details
Location
About
Mary, Mother of Hope Junior National School is a vibrant Catholic‑ethos primary school situated in the St Charles Houben Building, Little‑pace, Dublin 15. The school provides a child‑centred, holistic education for children from Junior Infants to Second Class, complemented by a dedicated special class for pupils on the autism spectrum. Classrooms are designed to be welcoming and safe, fostering a happy and loving atmosphere where learning is encouraged through collaborative work between pupils, parents, staff and the wider community. The school’s educational philosophy emphasises the full development of each child – academically, spiritually, socially and emotionally – underpinned by Christian values while welcoming families of all faiths and none. Facilities include a permanent 16‑classroom building, a second building opened in 2007, and ample outdoor space for sport and play. A strong partnership with the neighbouring senior school, regular fundraising initiatives such as the weekly Lotto, and programmes like the Autism Class Application Trial (ACAT) demonstrate the school’s commitment to inclusivity, community involvement and continuous improvement.
History
Mary, Mother of Hope Junior National School opened in temporary accommodation in September 2001 with 55 pupils and three teachers. In September 2005 the school moved into a permanent 16‑classroom building, and a second building – the St Charles Houben Building – was added in September 2007, reflecting close ties with the local parish and the Passionist community. In 2008 the institution was split into two independent schools, a Junior National School and a Senior National School, to better serve the educational needs of the Little‑pace/Castaheany area. The school operates under the patronage of the Catholic Archbishop of Dublin and is part of the Huntstown parish, welcoming children of all backgrounds.