Heywood Community School
Portlaoise, Co. Laois
749 studentsMixedCommunity schoolTY
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Applying for September 2027
We haven't found this school's dates for September 2027 entry yet. Schools usually hold open nights from September and open applications from October; the admission notice on the school's website has the exact window.
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Students this year
749 students: 369 girls and 380 boys, by year group. Department of Education, 2025/26.
- 1st year
- 121
- 2nd year
- 130
- 3rd year
- 129
- TY
- 112
- 5th year
- 151
- 6th year
- 106
Transition Year: 112 students are in Transition Year, about as many as in 3rd year. That usually means most students take it. Ask whether it's optional.
What it costs
- Tuition fees
- None. The school is in the free education scheme.
- Schoolbooks
- Free in every year, including TY, under the free schoolbooks scheme.
We haven't found this school's voluntary contribution or device policy yet. What secondary school costs, and the schemes that help
At a glance
Heywood Community School is a community school in Portlaoise, Co. Laois (Eircode R32 FE04). Heywood Community School has 749 students: 380 boys and 369 girls, according to the Department of Education's 2025/26 figures.
- Type
- Community school
- Boys and girls
- Mixed · 380 boys, 369 girls
- Fees
- Free education scheme, no tuition fees
- Ethos
- Inter-denominational
- Patron
- Laois & Offaly ETB Salesian Fathers of Don Bosco
- Language
- English-medium
- Day or boarding
- Day school
- DEIS
- No
- Roll number
- 91427C
Inspection reports for this school from the Department of Education, on gov.ie
Explained: types of school · how to choose
Questions parents ask
- Where is Heywood Community School?
- Heywood Community School is a community school in Portlaoise, Co. Laois (Eircode R32 FE04).
- How many students go to Heywood Community School?
- Heywood Community School has 749 students: 380 boys and 369 girls, according to the Department of Education's 2025/26 figures.
- Who is the principal of Heywood Community School?
- Eamon Jackman is the principal of Heywood Community School, according to the Department of Education's 2025/26 schools list.
- Is Heywood Community School a mixed school?
- Yes. Heywood Community School takes both boys and girls.
- Is Heywood Community School fee-paying?
- No. Heywood Community School is in the free education scheme, so there are no tuition fees. Like most schools it may ask for a voluntary contribution, which can't be compulsory.
- What is the ethos of Heywood Community School?
- Heywood Community School has a Inter-denominational ethos. Its patron is Laois & Offaly ETB Salesian Fathers of Don Bosco.
- Does Heywood Community School teach through Irish?
- No. Heywood Community School teaches through English, with Irish taught as a subject.
- Does Heywood Community School have Transition Year?
- 112 students are in Transition Year, about as many as in 3rd year. That usually means most students take it. Ask whether it's optional.
- Is Heywood Community School a DEIS school?
- No. Heywood Community School is not part of the DEIS programme.
- Where can I read Heywood Community School's inspection reports?
- The Department of Education publishes school inspection reports on gov.ie. Search there by Heywood Community School's roll number, 91427C, or use the link on this page.
- What other secondary schools are near Heywood Community School?
- The closest is Community School. The table on this page compares the nearest schools by distance, size, type and fees.
Closest secondary schools
| School | Distance | Students | Boys and girls | Type | Fees | Next date | Irish-medium | DEIS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Heywood Community SchoolThis school | 749 | Mixed | Community school | Free | None found yet | No | No | |
| Community SchoolCastlecomer | 10.7 km | 634 | Mixed | Community school | Free | None found yet | No | Yes |
| Dunamase College (Coláiste Dhún Másc)Portlaoise | 16.6 km | 506 | Mixed | Community college (ETB) | Free | None found yet | Stream | No |
| Portlaoise CollegePortlaoise | 16.7 km | 1,005 | Mixed | Community college (ETB) | Free | Applications close, Thu, 22 Oct | No | Yes |
| Mountrath Community SchoolMountrath | 17.4 km | 789 | Mixed | Community school | Free | None found yet | No | No |
| Scoil Chriost RiPortlaoise | 18.2 km | 880 | Girls | Secondary | Free | None found yet | No | No |
| St. Mary's C.B.S.Portlaoise | 18.3 km | 851 | Boys | Secondary | Free | Applications close, Fri, 23 Oct | No | No |
Straight-line distances. Compare with the two closest · See more schools near here.
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Contact
BallinakillPortlaoise
Co. Laois
R32FE04
- Principal: Eamon Jackman on the Department of Education's 2025/26 schools list
- Phone: 057 873 3333
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: heywood.ie
- Open in Google Maps
Primary schools nearby
On our sister site, primaryschool.ie
- Ballinakill Mixed NS1.2 km
- SN Molaise4.6 km
- Abbeyleix Sth NS4.7 km
- Scoil Mhuire4.7 km
- Holycross NS6.0 km
Next school holidays
- In 9 daysOctober mid-term breakMon, 26 October to Fri 30 October 2026
- In 10 weeksChristmas holidaysWed 23 December 2026 to Tue 5 January 2027
- In 17 weeksFebruary mid-term breakMon, 15 February to Fri 19 February 2027
These dates are set for every secondary school in Ireland. Check with Heywood Community School for any extra days off and the last day in June. Get reminders · All term dates · Add to Google Calendar