S.S Peter & Paul Jns
School Details
Location
About
S.S. Peter & Paul Junior National School is a vibrant primary school situated on Chapel Street in the seaside town of Balbriggan, Co. Dublin. The school provides a broad, inclusive curriculum for Junior and Senior Infants through to Second Class, with dedicated teaching staff, special‑education teachers, an EAL teacher and support assistants. Class hours run from 9.00 am to 1.40 pm for Infants and to 2.40 pm for First and Second Class, allowing a balanced mix of academic learning and play‑based activities. Uniform colours of grey, cream and wine promote a sense of community and school pride, while a soft‑surfaced play area, sensory corridor, three‑section sensory shed and a Wellbeing Wall support the physical and emotional development of every pupil. The school’s facilities extend beyond traditional classrooms to include specialist SET rooms, a spacious school hall and a range of outdoor amenities such as a walk‑and‑trail and a newly added sensory shed. The active and amber flags are proudly displayed, reflecting the school’s commitment to mental‑health awareness and inclusive wellbeing. A strong partnership with parents is encouraged through formal term‑time meetings and the availability of informal appointments, ensuring open communication and collaborative support for each child’s learning journey.
History
S.S. Peter & Paul J.N.S. traces its origins to the 1860s when it began as an infant school on Chapel Street, housed in a wooden crucifix‑shaped building that also served as Balbriggan’s first Catholic church. An 1867 inspection report noted an enrolment of 32 boys and 25 girls, highlighting the school’s early importance to the community. By the late 1920s the original premises were overcrowded, prompting the construction of a new building completed on 24 May 1935, which unified the infant, girls’ senior and boys’ senior sections under one roof. In 1974 a single‑storey infant block was added to accommodate growing numbers, and in 1989 the school restructured, giving rise to St. Molagas S.N.S. and S.S. Peter & Paul J.N.S. as separate entities. The school has continued to evolve, maintaining its historic traditions while serving a diverse and expanding population in Balbriggan.