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Meath

113 primary schools and 25,663 pupils in 2025/26.

Pupils in 2025/26
25,663
−177 on 2024/25
Schools
113
−1 on 2024/25
Average school size
227.1
+0.4 on 2024/25
Average class size
23.04
+0.20 on 2024/25

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

25,663

−177 on 2024/25

1975/762025/26

Schools

113

102 in 1975/76

1975/762025/26

Average pupils per school

227.1

133.9 in 1975/76

1975/762025/26

Average class size

23.04

+0.20 on 2024/25

2006/072025/26

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.

Every school's change

107 schools with figures for both years

Schools still filling their classes in 2015/16, and schools opened since, are listed separately.

49fell by 10% or more
35within 10%
23grew by 10% or more
Down 25% or more · 18Down 10 to 25% · 31Within 10% · 35Up 10 to 25% · 13Up 25% or more · 10

Grown most

Pupils in 2015/16 and 2025/26

  1. 1 S N Cill BhrighdeTrim, Co. Meath 109 → 200 +83.5%
  2. 2 S N MhuireLobinstown, Co. Meath 50 → 84 +68.0%
  3. 3 Scoil Naomh BarraNavan, Co. Meath 164 → 238 +45.1%
  4. 4 Gaelscoil Thulach na nÓgDún Búinne, Co. Meath 256 → 360 +40.6%
  5. 5 Scoil Eoin BáisteKells, Co. Meath 92 → 123 +33.7%

Fallen most

Pupils in 2015/16 and 2025/26

  1. 1 S N an Rath MhorAthboy, Co. Meath 104 → 45 −56.7%
  2. 2 Ratoath Junior N SRatoath, Co. Meath 462 → 213 −53.9%
  3. 3 Gaelscoil EannaAn Uaimh, Co. Meath 245 → 138 −43.7%
  4. 4 Ballinlough N SKells, Co. Meath 98 → 58 −40.8%
  5. 5 Killyon N SHill of Down, Co. Meath 95 → 60 −36.8%

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 or a new school nearby can also explain a big rise or fall.

Newer schools

6 schools still filling their classes in 2015/16 or opened since, with 1,719 pupils between them. They aren’t in the figures above.

Break Meath down

Select a group to see its schools, pupils and class sizes.

Planning areas

Change over
Navan 19 5,965 313.9 22.95 253
−3.3%
Trim 12 2,524 210.3 23.90 101
+8.6%
Ashbourne 8 2,269 283.6 24.14 92
+8.2%
Drogheda 9 2,250 250.0 22.65 96
−10.0%
Ratoath 7 2,075 296.4 22.52 90
−8.6%
Kells 13 1,781 137.0 22.30 77
−2.9%
Laytown 4 1,732 433.0 23.01 72
−9.7%
Dunshaughlin 7 1,550 221.4 25.21 61
+30.9%
Dunboyne 5 1,416 283.2 23.29 59
−8.6%
Athboy 6 1,054 175.7 21.91 47
−19.8%
Kilcock 4 935 233.8 23.51 39
+7.8%
Longwood 5 643 128.6 21.89 28
−18.9%
Nobber 4 428 107.0 22.11 18
+2.4%
Oldcastle 3 418 139.3 22.89 18
−10.7%
Ardee 3 269 89.7 19.50 12
−1.8%
Maynooth 1 225 225.0 25.00 9
+2.7%
Bailieborough 3 129 43.0 16.12 8
−18.4%

Change since 2015/16 counts today's schools and any that closed from 2023/24; earlier closures aren't in any planning area. All planning areas in Ireland

Patrons
Bishop of Meath 98 22,427 228.8 23.11 942
An Foras Pátrúnachta 4 1,191 297.8 22.13 52
Louth & Meath ETB 3 893 297.7 24.14 36
Educate Together 3 797 265.7 23.59 32
Bishop of Meath & Kildare COI 4 237 59.2 17.31 13
Bishop of Kilmore 1 118 118.0 23.60 5

Local authorities
Meath County Council 113 25,663 227.1 23.04 1,080

Class sizes

Mainstream class groups only. The source does not identify which standard/year group each class group belongs to. Figures for 2025/26: 24,887 pupils in mainstream classes.

Average class size
23.04
Mainstream classes
1,080
Largest class
37
Classes of 30 or more
69
Schools with a class of 30+
40

Teachers

Teachers in the 113 mainstream primary schools here, 2006/07 to 2025/26. Class teachers are counted every year; all teaching posts where they're known.

How we count teachers
Class teachers in 2025/26
1,080
Up 322 since 2006/07, while pupils rose 29%
Teaching posts in 2025/26
about 1,691
Estimate: 1,080 class teachers, 84 principals and deputies, 395 special education and 132 special class teachers
Teachers in 2015/16
1,363
The Department's last count of every teacher
Since 2024/25
8 / 26
8 schools gained a class teacher, 26 lost one

Class teachers since 2006/07

One for each mainstream class, every school year

Special schools and special classes

3 special schools in Meath, and the special classes in its 113 mainstream schools. Special schools aren't counted in the pupils, class sizes or teachers above.

All special schools
Pupils in special schools
233
In 3 schools, up from 202 in 2015/16
Special classes in 2025/26
131
In 60 of 113 schools. 51 in 2020/21
Allocated for 2026/27
136
In 63 schools: 15 new classes, 5 schools with their first
Autism classes
119
91% of special classes

Special classes since 2020/21

In Meath's mainstream schools, from the NCSE's yearly lists

  • 2020/21 51
  • 2021/22 64
  • 2022/23 83
  • 2023/24 100
  • 2024/25 116
  • 2025/26 131
  • 2026/27 136

2026/27, dashed: allocated for next year.

Special school Pupils Since 2015/16 Teaching posts SNAs
St Ultans Special SCHNavan · Mild general learning disability 122
+4.3%
16 23.5
St Marys Special SchoolNavan · Moderate general learning disability 83
−2.4%
14 42
Cara Community Special SchoolMeath · Community special school 28 – 7 15

Sources: Department of Education enrolment lists; NCSE special class lists and special school allocations (CC BY 4.0).

Schools in Meath

113 schools with 2025/26 figures, largest first.

Every school in Meath (CSV)
Change over

Select a column heading to sort

Roll number
St Stephens NSNavan 20179I 805
+0.5%
32 24.16 30 1
St Pauls N SNavan 19671F 761
+5.5%
32 23.41 27 0
S N Seachnaill NaofaDunshaughlin 17930Q 622
+26.9%
24 25.92 28 0
Scoil Nais DeaglainAshbourne 19486K 621
−9.5%
25 24.84 27 0
St Pauls NSRatoath 20215J 565
−20.1%
24 23.04 26 0
St. Mary's Primary SchoolEnfield 17821L 543
+0.9%
23 22.83 29 0
S N Naomh PadraigStamullen 18044T 524
−22.7%
22 23.55 28 0
St Marys Convent N STrim 16646O 521
−14.7%
22 22.45 30 1
Scoil MhuireAshbourne 19768U 479
−4.4%
18 26.61 33 9
Dunboyne Senior N SDunboyne 20033D 470
−13.6%
18 25.78 30 1
Scoil an Spioraid NaoimhLaytown 20017F 438
+20.3%
18 23.17 26 0
Ashbourne Educate Together National SchoolAshbourne 20396Q 410
+86.4%
16 24.88 27 0
St Oliver Plunkett NSNavan 19476H 399
−16.5%
16 24.19 29 0
Dunboyne Junior N SDunboyne 20032B 397
−28.6%
17 23.00 28 0
Scoil Oilibheir NaofaBettystown 20216L 397
−10.6%
16 22.94 26 0
Scoil BhrídeNavan 15104T 392
−11.7%
16 24.50 28 0
Mercy Convent N SNavan 16100Q 385
−21.1%
19 20.26 26 0
Ard Rí Community National SchoolNavan 20352T 384
+135.6%
15 25.60 34 3
Gaelscoil an Bhradáin FeasaDroichead Átha 20258E 383
−13.3%
16 23.31 29 0
O'Growney National SchoolAthboy 17623H 382
+5.8%
16 23.88 32 2
Scoil Naomh EoinNavan 20180Q 375
+9.3%
19 19.11 27 0
S N Cros BanJulianstown 17705J 373
−13.7%
16 22.19 29 0
S N Realt na Mara (B)Mornington 18762D 373
−15.8%
16 22.56 31 2
S N Realt na Mara (C)Donacarney 18767N 373
−12.4%
16 22.56 32 2
Gaelscoil Thulach na nÓgDún Búinne 20082Q 360
+40.6%
16 21.38 27 0
Scoil CholmcilleKells 16722E 352
+29.4%
15 23.47 28 0
S N Bheinin Naofa CDuleek 17840P 343
+3.3%
14 23.64 29 0
Ashbourne Community National SchoolAshbourne 20546J 341 – 14 22.64 29 0
S N Bheinn Naofa BDuleek 17839H 339
−1.7%
14 23.36 30 1
Ratoath Senior NSRatoath 20200T 319
−24.9%
15 21.27 26 0
Our Lady of Mercy NSKells 12068D 313
−30.0%
13 23.15 28 0
Aine Naofa N SNavan 00883P 312
−6.0%
12 25.42 28 0
Kilbride National SchoolClonee 16825O 310
−5.2%
13 22.92 26 0
St. Nicholas Primary SchoolLongwood 16655P 299
−12.8%
13 22.08 25 0
Scoil Mhichil na BuachailliTrim 05630L 294
+3.9%
11 23.45 29 0
S N Naomh PadraigSlane 18040L 253
−8.3%
10 24.70 35 2
Gaelscoil na MíCill Dhéagláin 20382F 242
+60.3%
12 19.17 23 0
Kilmessan MXD N SKilmessan 04210H 242
+24.1%
9 26.89 36 4
Scoil Naomh BarraNavan 19253K 238
+45.1%
10 22.60 32 1
Bohermeen N SNavan 17175G 237
+1.7%
10 23.70 32 4
S N ColumbainBallivor 18016O 233
−35.1%
10 22.10 32 1
S N na Trionoide NaofaNavan 18106P 233
−15.0%
10 23.30 30 1
Dangan Mixed N SSummerhill 19018A 228
+20.6%
9 24.67 30 1
Gaelscoil na CilleAshbourne 19779C 227
−10.3%
9 25.22 31 4
Scoil Oilibheir NaofaKilcloon 17652O 225
+2.7%
9 25.00 30 1
Gilson National SchoolOldcastle 12488C 222
−21.6%
9 24.00 30 1
Scoil na RitheDún Seachlainn 19867W 222
+6.2%
8 27.00 31 1
S N Rath BeagainDunshaughlin 18448U 219
+11.2%
8 27.38 30 2
S N Baile CheantNavan 17480L 214
−18.6%
8 25.25 34 2
Navan Educate Together NSNavan 20164S 213
+13.3%
9 20.33 26 0
Ratoath Junior N SRatoath 00885T 213
−53.9%
10 20.10 25 0
S N ColmcilleTara 17521W 211
+0.5%
8 26.38 32 1
Scoil Nais Aitinn BhuiNavan 17741N 211
−5.4%
9 23.44 32 1
St. Dympna's National SchoolNavan 19813W 210
−15.3%
8 24.75 32 2
Gaelscoil na BoinneTrim 20051F 206
−10.4%
8 25.75 28 0
S N MhuireNavan 17969U 205
−11.3%
10 19.30 23 0
S N Cill BhrighdeTrim 17513A 200
+83.5%
7 26.86 37 1
S N MhuireNavan 17520U 194
+6.6%
7 26.00 29 0
Scoil Naomh BrideTrim 17947K 181
−2.7%
7 25.86 32 2
Carnaross N SCarnaross 16991I 178
+22.8%
7 23.71 31 1
Trim Educate Together National SchoolTrim 20444B 174
+521.4%
7 24.86 28 0
Stackallen N SNavan 01309L 170
−12.4%
7 24.29 32 1
Scoil Uí GhramhnaighCo.na Mí 17088L 169
−20.3%
8 21.12 24 0
Dunshaughlin Community National SchoolDunshaughlin 20521Q 168 – 7 24.00 30 2
S N Dun UabhairDrogheda 17856H 166
−26.2%
8 19.25 26 0
S N MuireKells 18132Q 165
+21.3%
6 25.67 29 0
Coole N.S,Kilcock 18051Q 164
+20.6%
6 27.33 33 2
S N Caitriona NaofaKells 18174J 149
+21.1%
6 24.83 28 0
S N Naomh PadraigEnfield 02905J 148
−14.5%
6 24.67 30 1
S N MhuireSummerhill 18344I 139
+19.8%
6 23.17 27 0
Gaelscoil EannaAn Uaimh 19725C 138
−43.7%
6 21.17 29 0
S N Padraig NaofaGarristown 17629T 137
+14.2%
6 20.83 30 1
S N NMH SheosamhNavan 17986U 136
+3.0%
6 21.83 33 1
S N Pheadair agus PhoilNavan 16143L 125
−4.6%
5 20.20 30 1
Scoil Eoin BáisteKells 16774A 123
+33.7%
5 21.00 29 0
S N MhuireCeannanus Mor 17213L 122
+1.7%
5 22.00 32 1
S N Cul an MhuilinnDrumree 17312N 119
+26.6%
5 22.60 31 1
Kilmainham Wood N SKells 17123K 118
+5.4%
5 23.60 28 0
Scoil Nais Mhuire NaofaDunsany 17742P 113
+7.6%
5 22.60 25 0
S N BhrighdeKells 17162U 111
+4.7%
5 22.20 27 0
S N Naomh ColmcilleDuleek 18500T 109
+3.8%
5 21.80 29 0
S N Aindreis NaofaAshbourne 17857J 107
−1.8%
5 21.40 34 1
S N Naomh TreasaDrogheda 18413B 105
+12.9%
4 26.25 30 1
Castletown N SNavan 19292U 102
−21.5%
4 22.50 26 0
S N FiachOldcastle 18358T 102
+7.4%
5 20.40 26 0
S N Seosamh NaomthaNavan 17560J 100
−15.3%
5 17.60 21 0
St Peters National SchoolMeath 20191V 97
0.0%
4 21.25 24 0
S N Naomh SeosamhDunsany 16790V 95
+25.0%
4 23.75 28 0
Scoil Mhuire NSOldcastle 11978O 94
+4.4%
4 23.50 28 0
S N Rath RiagainDunboyne 18169Q 92
−5.2%
4 23.00 25 0
S N BhrighdeDrumconrath 17220I 91
0.0%
4 22.75 31 1
St. Joseph's National SchoolKilcock 18887A 89
+15.6%
4 22.25 26 0
Kilskyre Mixed N SKells 01421F 87
−26.3%
4 19.00 24 0
Kilbeg N SCarlanstown 11039O 85
+1.2%
4 21.25 28 0
S N MhuireLobinstown 18037W 84
+68.0%
4 21.00 26 0
Drumbarragh N SKells 10801Q 83
−4.6%
4 20.75 24 0
S N Mhuire NaofaTara 17964K 81
−36.7%
4 20.25 24 0
S N Ultain NaofaAn Uaimh 17203I 80
−11.1%
4 20.00 23 0
S N Mhichil NaofaRath Molladhain 18453N 73
−33.0%
3 22.33 28 0
S N Naomh CianainAshbourne 17029S 73
−12.0%
3 24.33 28 0
Scoil Nais Finin NaofaEnfield 16067V 63
−13.7%
3 17.00 20 0
Killyon N SHill of Down 07120V 60
−36.8%
3 20.00 25 0
Newtown N SArdee 03275H 60
−35.5%
3 16.33 21 0
Scoil Naomh PioBeauparc 16549Q 59
−34.4%
3 17.67 21 0
Ballinlough N SKells 09238I 58
−40.8%
3 17.33 20 0
Kells Parochial N SKells 05062A 52
−26.8%
3 17.33 20 0
St Patricks N STrim 13775K 48
−22.6%
3 16.00 17 0
S N an Rath MhorAthboy 17494W 45
−56.7%
3 15.00 18 0
Flowerfield N SNavan 12788O 40
−31.0%
3 13.33 15 0
Ughtyneill N SMoynalty 12897T 31
+47.6%
2 15.50 18 0
Carrickleck N SKingscourt 14348T 26
−23.5%
2 13.00 16 0
S N MhuireBaile Iomhair 18429Q 15
−50.0%
2 7.50 8 0
Scoil Nais Naomh AineKells 17946I 12
−63.6%
2 6.00 10 0