Westmeath
73 primary schools and 11,117 pupils in 2025/26.
- Pupils in 2025/26
- 11,117
- −123 on 2024/25
- Schools
- 73
- No change on 2024/25
- Average school size
- 152.3
- −1.7 on 2024/25
- Average class size
- 21.98
- −0.33 on 2024/25
Trends in Westmeath
Counts every school that reported in each year, including schools that have since closed. Dotted lines bridge 1983/84 to 1992/93. 1974/75 is left out because that year's source file is missing five counties.
Pupils
11,117
−123 on 2024/25
Schools
73
76 in 1976/77
Average pupils per school
152.3
133.8 in 1976/77
Average class size
21.98
−0.33 on 2024/25
Growing and falling since 2015/16
Each school's change in pupils over 10 years, from 2015/16 to 2025/26. A change of 10% or more either way counts as growing or falling.
73 schools with figures for both years
Average class size in these schools went from 24.9 in 2015/16 to 22.0 in 2025/26. 19 of the 29 schools that fell by 10% or more kept or added classes. A fall in pupils can mean smaller classes rather than fewer children wanting places. Smaller classes
Grown most
Pupils in 2015/16 and 2025/26
- 1 Holy Family Primary SchoolMullingar, Co. Westmeath 230 → 439 +90.9%
- 2 Gaelscoil An ChoillínAn Muileann gCearr, Co. Westmeath 95 → 154 +62.1%
- 3 Diarmada N SCastlepollard, Co. Westmeath 59 → 90 +52.5%
- 4 St. Anne's National SchoolTyrellspass, Co. Westmeath 122 → 176 +44.3%
- 5 Kilcrumreragh N SMoate, Co. Westmeath 73 → 104 +42.5%
Fallen most
Pupils in 2015/16 and 2025/26
- 1 S N an ChuilMullingar, Co. Westmeath 53 → 14 −73.6%
- 2 Mhuire N SMullingar, Co. Westmeath 178 → 61 −65.7%
- 3 S N Naomh FiontanMullingar, Co. Westmeath 57 → 29 −49.1%
- 4 Baile Coireil N SMullingar, Co. Westmeath 133 → 82 −38.3%
- 5 S N Phoil NaofaAthlone, Co. Westmeath 186 → 125 −32.8%
Ranked by percentage change. Only schools with 50 or more pupils in 2015/16 are ranked, leaving out any still filling their classes then, because a few pupils make a big percentage in a small or new school. An amalgamation, a new school nearby or smaller classes can also explain a big rise or fall.
Break Westmeath down
Select a group to see its schools, pupils and class sizes.
Planning areas
| Mullingar | 22 | 191.3 | 22.87 | 179 |
+0.1%
+4.2%
+19.0%
|
+19.0%
| |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Athlone | 12 | 224.2 | 21.38 | 123 |
+4.5%
+5.4%
+28.8%
|
+28.8%
| |
| Killucan | 6 | 189.0 | 21.94 | 49 |
−11.8%
−17.3%
+22.5%
|
+22.5%
| |
| Moate | 8 | 104.2 | 23.00 | 36 |
−0.2%
+1.2%
+9.3%
|
+9.3%
| |
| Castlepollard | 7 | 83.0 | 21.42 | 26 |
+5.1%
+14.4%
+19.5%
|
+19.5%
| |
| Rochfordbridge | 4 | 136.0 | 21.67 | 24 |
−1.4%
−3.4%
+88.9%
|
+88.9%
| |
| Kilbeggan | 5 | 107.6 | 22.87 | 23 |
−6.6%
−0.9%
+33.5%
|
+33.5%
| |
| Athboy | 3 | 98.3 | 19.67 | 15 |
−19.0%
−24.4%
−30.4%
|
−30.4%
| |
| Ballymahon | 3 | 51.3 | 17.11 | 9 |
−21.8%
−16.3%
−2.5%
|
−2.5%
| |
| Ferbane | 1 | 96.0 | 24.00 | 4 |
0.0%
+33.3%
+71.4%
|
+71.4%
| |
| Granard | 2 | 20.5 | 10.25 | 4 |
−34.9%
−41.4%
−59.0%
|
−59.0%
|
Changes count today's schools and any that closed from 2023/24; earlier closures aren't in any planning area, so changes run high, more so since 2005/06. Known data issues · All planning areas in Ireland
Patrons
| Bishop of Meath | 51 | 144.9 | 22.55 | 319 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bishop of Ardagh & Clonmacnoise | 12 | 199.0 | 22.61 | 104 | |
| Educate Together | 1 | 381.0 | 17.60 | 20 | |
| Bishop of Elphin | 3 | 104.7 | 15.26 | 19 | |
| Longford & Westmeath Education and Training Board | 1 | 306.0 | 23.54 | 13 | |
| Bishop of Meath & Kildare COI | 3 | 55.7 | 18.56 | 9 | |
| An Foras Pátrúnachta | 1 | 154.0 | 23.67 | 6 | |
| Bishop of Kilmore Elphin & Ardagh COI | 1 | 16.0 | 8.00 | 2 |
Class sizes
Mainstream class groups only. The source does not identify which standard/year group each class group belongs to. Figures for 2025/26: 10,816 pupils in mainstream classes.
- Average class size
- 21.98
- Mainstream classes
- 492
- Largest class
- 37
- Classes of 30 or more
- 41
- Schools with a class of 30+
- 27
Teachers
Teachers in the 73 mainstream primary schools here, 2006/07 to 2025/26. Class teachers are counted every year; all teaching posts where they're known.
- Class teachers in 2025/26
- 492
- Up 97 since 2006/07, while pupils rose 13%
- Teaching posts in 2025/26
- about 783
- Estimate: 492 class teachers, 37 principals and deputies, 202 special education and 52 special class teachers
- Teachers in 2015/16
- 650
- The Department's last count of every teacher
Class teachers since 2006/07
One for each mainstream class, every school year
Special schools and special classes
4 special schools in Westmeath, and the special classes in its 73 mainstream schools. Special schools aren't counted in the pupils, class sizes or teachers above.
- Pupils in special schools
- 233
- In 4 schools, up from 166 in 2015/16
- Allocated for 2026/27
- 61
- In 30 schools: 9 new classes, 5 schools with their first
- Autism classes
- 43
- 83% of special classes
Special classes since 2020/21
In Westmeath's mainstream schools, from the NCSE's yearly lists
- 2020/21 24
- 2021/22 29
- 2022/23 35
- 2023/24 38
- 2024/25 46
- 2025/26 52
- 2026/27 61
2026/27, dashed: allocated for next year.
| Special school | Pupils | Since 2015/16 | Teaching posts | SNAs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| St Brigids Spec SCHMullingar · Mild general learning disability | 93 |
+8.1%
|
12 | 23 |
| St Hildas SP SCHAthlone · Mild general learning disability | 58 |
+52.6%
|
11 | 28 |
| Sacred Heart SchoolMullingar · Moderate general learning disability | 46 |
+170.6%
|
9 | 26 |
| Saplings Special SchoolMullingar · Autism | 36 | – | 6 | 22 |
Sources: Department of Education enrolment lists; NCSE special class lists and special school allocations (CC BY 4.0).
What parents would prefer
2,982 of the 7,348 households with children at the 69 schools here answered the Department of Education and Youth's Primary School Survey, November–December 2025. 4 more schools had too few answers for their own results. These are preferences, not applications.
- Prefer a multi-denominational patron
- 37%
- Parents of children at school · Ireland 44%
- Prefer teaching through Irish
- 16%
- Parents of children at school · Ireland 20%
- Prefer single-sex
- 3%
- Parents of children at school · Ireland 5%
By school planning area
The Department publishes the answers of parents of children not yet at school by planning area only, so these are whole areas, including any part in another county.
| Planning area | Schools here | Households answered | Multi-denominational | Through Irish | Single-sex | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| At school | Not yet | At school | Not yet | At school | Not yet | |||
| Mullingar | 22 | 1,473 (40%) | 37% | 36% | 17% | 22% | 2% | 2% |
| AthloneAlso in Co. Roscommon | 12 | 1,433 (43%) | 37% | 38% | 15% | 21% | 4% | 5% |
| Moate | 8 | 405 (50%) | 39% | 32% | 15% | 22% | 5% | 2% |
| Castlepollard | 7 | 180 (39%) | 33% | 37% | 12% | 25% | 0% | 5% |
| Killucan | 6 | 466 (53%) | 32% | 40% | 16% | 23% | 2% | 0% |
| KilbegganAlso in Co. Offaly | 5 | 278 (54%) | 40% | 33% | 19% | 20% | 1% | 0% |
| Rochfordbridge | 4 | 189 (42%) | 31% | 36% | 19% | 26% | 1% | 2% |
| AthboyAlso in Co. Meath | 3 | 658 (49%) | 35% | 41% | 19% | 26% | 2% | 2% |
| BallymahonAlso in Co. Longford | 3 | 341 (41%) | 34% | 30% | 14% | 19% | 1% | 4% |
| GranardAlso in Co. Cavan, Co. Longford | 2 | 372 (60%) | 32% | 23% | 15% | 21% | 2% | 1% |
| FerbaneAlso in Co. Offaly | 1 | 261 (54%) | 22% | 28% | 18% | 25% | 1% | 0% |
Grey: fewer than 60 parents of children not yet at school answered in that area, so a handful of answers moves the figure a long way.
- 12 schools where half or more of parents would prefer a multi-denominational patron
- 7 schools where a quarter or more would prefer teaching through Irish
- 4 of 4 single-sex schools where most parents would prefer co-educational
Each count opens those schools in Find schools, with each school's figures.
Source: Department of Education and Youth, Primary School Survey results, published 23 June 2026. Figures here add up the parents at each school with its own results.
Schools in Westmeath
73 schools with 2025/26 figures, largest first.
Select a column heading to sort
| Roll number | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| St Marys NSAthlone | 20073P | 573 |
+28.5%
+31.1%
+47.7%
|
+47.7%
|
31 | 18.48 | 23 | 0 |
| Scoil Cholmain NaofaMullingar | 19650U | 445 |
−7.7%
−6.1%
−10.6%
|
−10.6%
|
18 | 24.72 | 30 | 1 |
| Holy Family Primary SchoolMullingar | 17327D | 439 |
+26.5%
+90.9%
+222.8%
|
+222.8%
|
16 | 26.81 | 30 | 3 |
| S N an CusanN37td88 | 18864L | 413 |
−2.4%
+3.5%
+66.5%
|
+66.5%
|
16 | 25.06 | 29 | 0 |
| St Etchens National SchoolKinnegad | 19848S | 413 |
−18.9%
−25.7%
+10.1%
|
+10.1%
|
17 | 22.53 | 27 | 0 |
| Scoil na mBraithreMullingar | 18381O | 409 |
−4.4%
+21.4%
+26.6%
|
+26.6%
|
16 | 24.44 | 31 | 1 |
| Mullingar Educate Together NSMullingar | 20188J | 381 |
−5.2%
−11.4%
– |
– | 20 | 17.60 | 23 | 0 |
| Scoil na Maighdine MhuireMullingar | 18212O | 307 |
−7.5%
+12.0%
+7.7%
|
+7.7%
|
12 | 25.08 | 28 | 0 |
| Corr na Madadh N SAthlone | 17903N | 306 |
+5.9%
+11.7%
−8.1%
|
−8.1%
|
13 | 23.54 | 29 | 0 |
| Naomh Clar N SAthlone | 18505G | 293 |
+6.5%
+12.7%
+1.7%
|
+1.7%
|
12 | 23.83 | 34 | 2 |
| Naomh Iosef N SKillucan | 18640M | 285 |
+3.3%
+19.7%
+93.9%
|
+93.9%
|
12 | 22.83 | 26 | 0 |
| Presentation Convent (JNR)Mullingar | 00934G | 277 |
−9.8%
−27.3%
−35.6%
|
−35.6%
|
14 | 18.86 | 22 | 0 |
| St Brigid's Primary SchoolMoate | 15512L | 241 |
+9.5%
+8.1%
+44.3%
|
+44.3%
|
9 | 26.11 | 37 | 1 |
| St. Colmcille's N.S.Mullingar | 16838A | 239 |
−0.4%
+1.7%
+3.0%
|
+3.0%
|
9 | 25.56 | 31 | 2 |
| Scoil na gCeithre MaistriÁth Luain | 19948W | 235 |
−13.3%
−27.0%
+2.2%
|
+2.2%
|
9 | 25.33 | 37 | 2 |
| SC CiarainAthlone | 17708P | 227 |
+14.1%
+37.6%
+89.2%
|
+89.2%
|
9 | 25.22 | 32 | 1 |
| Scoil an Chlochair Cill BheaganKilbeggan | 20063M | 226 |
−4.6%
−6.2%
+29.1%
|
+29.1%
|
9 | 23.78 | 30 | 2 |
| Kilpatrick NSMullingar | 19607T | 224 |
−2.6%
−4.3%
−2.6%
|
−2.6%
|
9 | 24.89 | 30 | 1 |
| S N Chruimin NaofaMultyfarnham | 19350I | 222 |
+13.3%
+37.9%
+55.2%
|
+55.2%
|
9 | 24.67 | 31 | 2 |
| Naomh Tola N SDelvin | 19205W | 219 |
+6.8%
+15.3%
+78.0%
|
+78.0%
|
9 | 23.00 | 28 | 0 |
| Scoil Chroi NaofaRochfortbridge | 20439I | 214 |
−9.7%
−11.9%
– |
– | 9 | 23.78 | 32 | 1 |
| Loch an Ghair N SMullingar | 18812P | 208 |
0.0%
+8.3%
+20.9%
|
+20.9%
|
8 | 26.00 | 31 | 2 |
| Gaelscoil an MhuilinnAn Muileann gCearr | 20002P | 179 |
−21.8%
−31.7%
−26.9%
|
−26.9%
|
7 | 25.57 | 30 | 2 |
| Cluain Maolain N SClonmellon | 17089N | 178 |
−22.6%
−25.8%
−19.1%
|
−19.1%
|
8 | 22.25 | 26 | 0 |
| St. Anne's National SchoolTyrellspass | 05916G | 176 |
+15.0%
+44.3%
+57.1%
|
+57.1%
|
8 | 20.50 | 27 | 0 |
| Castlepollard Mixed N SCastlepollard | 05513H | 169 |
+21.6%
+28.0%
+57.9%
|
+57.9%
|
6 | 26.17 | 30 | 1 |
| An Ghrianan N SMoate | 18679Q | 167 |
−3.5%
−12.1%
−7.2%
|
−7.2%
|
7 | 23.86 | 29 | 0 |
| Baile na gCailleach N SMullingar | 16868J | 166 |
+11.4%
+38.3%
+32.8%
|
+32.8%
|
6 | 25.67 | 35 | 3 |
| Cluain Buinne N SAthlone | 17102C | 164 |
+33.3%
+40.2%
+80.2%
|
+80.2%
|
6 | 27.33 | 36 | 3 |
| S N na nDunMullingar | 17025K | 159 |
+12.8%
+23.3%
+14.4%
|
+14.4%
|
6 | 26.50 | 31 | 2 |
| Gaelscoil An ChoillínAn Muileann gCearr | 20238V | 154 |
+87.8%
+62.1%
– |
– | 6 | 23.67 | 30 | 1 |
| S N Phoil NaofaAthlone | 18405C | 125 |
−4.6%
−32.8%
+20.2%
|
+20.2%
|
7 | 16.14 | 20 | 0 |
| Tang N STang | 08037Q | 117 |
−11.4%
−1.7%
+17.0%
|
+17.0%
|
5 | 23.40 | 29 | 0 |
| St Peters N S SNRAthlone | 07722D | 112 |
−18.2%
−5.9%
+30.2%
|
+30.2%
|
7 | 14.29 | 18 | 0 |
| Ard na gCraith NSWalderstown | 18764H | 110 |
−7.6%
−6.0%
+69.2%
|
+69.2%
|
5 | 19.80 | 25 | 0 |
| Streamstown Mixed N SStreamstown | 15291V | 107 |
−1.8%
−2.7%
+105.8%
|
+105.8%
|
4 | 26.75 | 31 | 1 |
| Earnain MXD N SDelvin | 18598Q | 105 |
−9.5%
−13.9%
−25.0%
|
−25.0%
|
5 | 21.00 | 26 | 0 |
| Kilcrumreragh N SMoate | 16961W | 104 |
+26.8%
+42.5%
−16.8%
|
−16.8%
|
4 | 26.00 | 30 | 1 |
| Eoin Naofa N SBallymore | 17991N | 100 |
−3.8%
+1.0%
+17.6%
|
+17.6%
|
4 | 25.00 | 31 | 1 |
| St Feighans MXD N SCastlepollard | 14450K | 100 |
0.0%
0.0%
+31.6%
|
+31.6%
|
4 | 25.00 | 30 | 1 |
| Cill Cleithe N SMoate | 17806P | 99 |
−2.0%
+11.2%
+19.3%
|
+19.3%
|
4 | 24.75 | 27 | 0 |
| Ballinagore Mixed N SKilbeggan | 16340N | 97 |
−6.7%
+21.2%
+32.9%
|
+32.9%
|
4 | 24.25 | 29 | 0 |
| Ballinahown NSAthlone | 19632S | 96 |
0.0%
+33.3%
+71.4%
|
+71.4%
|
4 | 24.00 | 26 | 0 |
| Odhran Naofa N SMullingar | 17932U | 95 |
+3.3%
+14.5%
+14.5%
|
+14.5%
|
4 | 23.75 | 24 | 0 |
| Diarmada N SCastlepollard | 18036U | 90 |
+7.1%
+52.5%
+36.4%
|
+36.4%
|
4 | 22.50 | 30 | 1 |
| Scoil PhadraigMullingar | 19008U | 88 |
+12.8%
−3.3%
−5.4%
|
−5.4%
|
4 | 22.00 | 25 | 0 |
| S N na Naomh UileMullingar | 18744B | 86 |
0.0%
−14.0%
−16.5%
|
−16.5%
|
4 | 21.50 | 32 | 1 |
| Scoil MhuireMullingar | 18533L | 83 |
+5.1%
+1.2%
−17.0%
|
−17.0%
|
4 | 19.25 | 24 | 0 |
| Baile Coireil N SMullingar | 16914N | 82 |
−7.9%
−38.3%
−12.8%
|
−12.8%
|
4 | 19.00 | 25 | 0 |
| BL Oliver Plunkett N SMoate | 17167H | 82 |
−21.2%
−12.8%
+24.2%
|
+24.2%
|
4 | 20.50 | 30 | 1 |
| Dalystown N SMullingar | 15307K | 81 |
−14.7%
−24.3%
+11.0%
|
+11.0%
|
4 | 20.25 | 23 | 0 |
| Mhichil Naofa N SCastletown Geoghegan | 17182D | 81 |
0.0%
−1.2%
+20.9%
|
+20.9%
|
4 | 20.25 | 27 | 0 |
| SN Deaghan O CeallaighAthlone | 16639R | 77 |
−24.5%
−7.2%
−11.5%
|
−11.5%
|
5 | 15.40 | 19 | 0 |
| S N PhadraigKillucan | 08100U | 74 |
−22.9%
−3.9%
+80.5%
|
+80.5%
|
4 | 18.50 | 21 | 0 |
| Milltownpass N SMilltownpass | 16304J | 73 |
+9.0%
−19.8%
−29.1%
|
−29.1%
|
3 | 20.33 | 23 | 0 |
| Rath Eoghan N SMullingar | 17189R | 62 |
−1.6%
+3.3%
+10.7%
|
+10.7%
|
3 | 16.67 | 24 | 0 |
| Mhuire N SMullingar | 18484B | 61 |
−45.0%
−65.7%
−58.2%
|
−58.2%
|
3 | 20.33 | 31 | 1 |
| Lochan an Bhealaigh N SMullingar | 18262G | 57 |
−6.6%
−12.3%
+14.0%
|
+14.0%
|
3 | 19.00 | 25 | 0 |
| Athlone N SAthlone | 16092U | 56 |
−6.7%
−25.3%
+12.0%
|
+12.0%
|
3 | 18.67 | 19 | 0 |
| Ballynacargy Mixed N SBallynacargy | 01731U | 55 |
+1.9%
−16.7%
−44.4%
|
−44.4%
|
3 | 18.33 | 19 | 0 |
| Magh Mora N SMullingar | 17432A | 29 |
−19.4%
−14.7%
−6.5%
|
−6.5%
|
2 | 14.50 | 18 | 0 |
| S N Naomh FiontanMullingar | 18193N | 29 |
−38.3%
−49.1%
−60.3%
|
−60.3%
|
2 | 14.50 | 16 | 0 |
| S N Aodha NaofaKilbeggan | 17882I | 27 |
−40.0%
−10.0%
−25.0%
|
−25.0%
|
2 | 13.50 | 18 | 0 |
| Castlepollard Paroc.n SCastlepollard | 10857U | 25 |
+25.0%
+8.7%
−24.2%
|
−24.2%
|
2 | 12.50 | 16 | 0 |
| Dysart NSMullingar | 17290G | 24 |
−36.8%
−27.3%
−36.8%
|
−36.8%
|
2 | 12.00 | 15 | 0 |
| Drumraney Mixed N SAthlone | 13571R | 23 |
−14.8%
0.0%
+9.5%
|
+9.5%
|
2 | 11.50 | 16 | 0 |
| Boher N SStreamstown | 17236A | 18 |
−28.0%
−45.5%
−50.0%
|
−50.0%
|
2 | 9.00 | 11 | 0 |
| Naomh Micheal N SMullingar | 17606H | 17 |
−15.0%
−19.0%
0.0%
|
0.0%
|
2 | 8.50 | 9 | 0 |
| Naomh Tomas N SRathowen | 18591C | 16 |
−42.9%
−40.7%
−27.3%
|
−27.3%
|
2 | 8.00 | 10 | 0 |
| S N an ChuilMullingar | 03936C | 14 |
−65.9%
−73.6%
−77.4%
|
−77.4%
|
2 | 7.00 | 11 | 0 |
| Crowenstown N SDelvin | 02263S | 12 |
−33.3%
−57.1%
−81.2%
|
−81.2%
|
2 | 6.00 | 8 | 0 |
| Naomh Muire N SMullingar | 17743R | 12 |
−25.0%
−7.7%
−55.6%
|
−55.6%
|
2 | 6.00 | 7 | 0 |
| S N BhrideBallynacargy | 00941D | 8 |
−72.4%
−74.2%
−70.4%
|
−70.4%
|
2 | 4.00 | 4 | 0 |
No schools match that filter.