St Helens Senior National School
School Details
Location
About
St Helen’s Senior National School is a vibrant primary institution situated on Limetree Avenue in Portmarnock, Co. Dublin. It caters for children from third to sixth class, offering 13 mainstream classrooms alongside dedicated special‑education provision. The school places a strong emphasis on celebrating pupil achievement, encouraging learners to share their experiences and develop confidence through a range of extracurricular activities such as science weeks, fundraising bake events and a school‑wide app that keeps families up‑to‑date with news and photographs. The learning environment is designed to be inclusive and supportive, with four special‑education teachers and two special‑needs assistants working alongside the mainstream staff. Facilities include a permanent building completed in the mid‑1980s, equipped with modern classrooms, a multi‑purpose hall and dedicated spaces for practical subjects. The school’s ethos centres on creating lasting memories for every child, fostering a sense of community, and providing a safe, nurturing setting where each pupil can thrive academically and socially.
History
St Helen’s Senior National School opened its doors on 1 July 1977 in two prefabricated classrooms on the grounds of St Marnock’s School, initially serving fifty Junior Infants with two teachers. In 1978 the school moved to its present Martello site and a permanent building was erected in 1980. The following year the school was divided into junior and senior sections, with the Senior National School officially opening on 1 September 1981 to 130 pupils and four teachers. The permanent building was completed in 1985 and formally opened on 23 October 1986. After reaching a peak enrolment of over 600 pupils in the 1980s, the school now educates approximately 357 pupils across mainstream and autism classes, supported by specialised staff.