Channel College

Our Story Chanel College is a Catholic secondary school situated in Coolock Village, Dublin 5. It first opened its doors in 1955 with twelve pupils, one year after the canonisation of St. Peter Chanel, the early Marist Father for whom the school is named. The main school buildings were constructed in the late 1960s, and through continuous renovation and expansion, the college now educates close to 500 students. Under the leadership of Principal Dara Gill, the school operates as a Marist institution committed to holistic education. Its mission is to enable students to reach their full potential so they make a positive difference in today’s world, cultivating a familial, pastoral community where students and staff share an informal but respectful atmosphere. From September 2026, Chanel College will welcome girls for the very first time as it becomes a co-educational school. Programs & Trainings 🎓 Junior Cycle — A broad, accessible three-year lower secondary curriculum with an evolving range of subjects designed to capture student interests and ensure no learner is left behind or unchallenged. 🎓 Senior Cycle — The two-year upper secondary program leading to the Leaving Certificate examinations, providing comprehensive subject choice and academic support. 🎓 Transition Year (TY) — A one-year experiential program focused on personal, social and academic development, featuring bonding trips, creative media projects, and cultural excursions. 🎓 Career Guidance — Structured advice and resources to help Senior Cycle students navigate higher education, training and career pathways. 🎓 Subject Demos — Hands-on demonstration sessions that allow students to experience optional subjects before making their choices. 🎓 Home School Liaison — A dedicated program strengthening cooperation between families and the school to support student retention and wellbeing. 🎓 Pastoral Care — Integrated welfare and personal development support provided within a respectful, community-focused environment. 🎓 Support Services — Targeted assistance for students with additional educational needs. 🎓 Technical Support & Digital Learning — Provision of mobile laptop units, interactive whiteboards, and access to educational platforms including the IXL Maths & English App and a Junior Cycle Study Buddy AI resource. 🎓 AI in Chanel — A school-wide initiative exploring the integration of Artificial Intelligence into teaching, learning and administrative supports. 🎓 Physical Education & Sports Development — A full PE curriculum and extra-curricular sports program leveraging on-campus astro turf pitches, a custom gym, and basketball courts. 🎓 Student Council — Leadership and civic engagement opportunities for student representatives. 🎓 Experiential Travel & School Trips — International and domestic travel programs including the 1st Year Paris trip, TY Carlingford bonding trip, 5th/6th Year Boston ski trip, 2nd Year London Science trip, TY Rome trip, and educational day trips to venues such as DCU, the Gaiety School of Acting, and geography field sites. Specialties 🎯 Marist Catholic Education & Values Formation 🎯 Junior and Senior Cycle Academic Preparation 🎯 Transition Year Personal Development 🎯 STEM & Laboratory Sciences (Chemistry, Biology, Physics) 🎯 Creative Arts & Design Technology (Woodwork, Art) 🎯 Sports, Health & Physical Fitness 🎯 Experiential & International Learning 🎯 Digital Literacy, AI & Technology-Enhanced Learning 🎯 Career Guidance & Future Planning 🎯 Inclusive Transition to Co-education (from September 2026) Methods & Approach The college delivers a holistic education that develops moral, caring and diligent young adults. Pedagogically, it maintains a broad, evolving curriculum accessible to all abilities, ensuring that every student is both supported and challenged. Learning is enriched through state-of-the-art technology—including interactive whiteboards and mobile laptop units—and complemented by experiential methods such as educational day trips, overseas excursions and subject demonstrations. The Marist ethos underpins a pastoral care system and an informal yet highly respectful staff-student relationship, creating a familial environment where students are encouraged to take responsibility for themselves and their learning. Who It's For The school serves secondary-level students from first year through sixth year, typically aged 12 to 18. It caters to boys and, from September 2026, girls entering first year, making it suitable for families seeking a co-educational Catholic post-primary education in north Dublin. The Junior Cycle welcomes all incoming first years, while the Transition Year and Senior Cycle programs support students progressing toward the Leaving Certificate. The college also serves students with diverse learning needs through its support services, and engages parents actively via home-school liaison and information evenings. Facilities & Practical Info The campus features continuously upgraded infrastructure, including refurbished Chemistry, Biology and Physics laboratories; state-of-the-art Woodwork and Art rooms added in 2018; and general classrooms equipped with interactive whiteboards and mobile laptop units. Sports amenities include extensive all-weather astro turf pitches, a recently built fully equipped custom gym, and both indoor and outdoor basketball courts. The school publishes an annual calendar (2026/27 available) and maintains regular office hours, currently 9am to 1pm during state exam periods. Administrative contact is available by telephone and email, and the school community stays connected through active Twitter and Instagram channels. Location Address: Chanel College, Coolock Village, Malahide Road, Dublin 5, D05 EY86, Ireland Hours: Office hours are 9am – 1pm during state exam periods; the office closes from June 23rd for summer. See the school website for the full academic calendar and term dates. The "+" ✅ Nearly 70 years of Marist educational heritage combined with continuous modernisation and facility investment ✅ Cutting-edge STEM, arts and sports facilities including a custom-built gym and all-weather pitches ✅ An outstanding portfolio of international trips and experiential learning opportunities across Europe and the United States ✅ A forward-thinking digital strategy incorporating AI literacy, interactive learning tools and study-support applications ✅ A committed, inclusive transition to co-education from September 2026, broadening access while preserving a familial community ethos