The Primary Department consists of 9 classes ranging from 3 to 11 years old.

Nursery

The pupils here attend up to 1 o’clock. The first steps in the pupils’ education are very important. So our Nursery class sets out to support parents, to build up a partnership with other professional, preschool teachers, therapists i.e. Speech and Language, Physiotherapist and Occupational Therapist, to ensure that their first steps on the road to education are fulfilling and rewarding.  

 

Foundation Stage, Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2

Pupils in Classes 1 to Class 7 are taught the Revised Northern Ireland Curriculum through thematic approaches. Thinking skills, personal capabilities are incorporated into all programmes and our pupils are encouraged through’ hands on active learning.’

The Primary Curriculum is divided into six main areas of learning:

• Mathematics and Numeracy
• Language Development and Literacy
• The World Around Us
• Personal Development and Mutual Understanding
• Physical Development
• The Arts.

During each Key Stage, teachers will teach at a pace which is developmentally appropriate for every pupil. This will be achieved through each pupil having an Individual Learning Plans to ensure that we are developing and nurturing all of them, personally, socially, emotionally and academically. We strive to ensure all of our pupils succeed and ‘Reach a brighter future,’ so all learning experiences are unique to every pupil learning needs. These plans also include help, support and advice from all therapists as per recommendations in pupils’ statements of special educational needs.

Pupils are given opportunities to explore their wider community through participation in Horse Riding, Swimming, participating in environmental outings and working in partnership with local Sport coaches. Participation in events such as local culture events, visits to theatres and involvement in events organised with / for other schools, Sure Start provide opportunities to integrate.

 

Sunshine Room - Nurture Room

In the Sunshine room pupils are provided with an environment where there is a balance of learning and teaching, affection and structure within a home like atmosphere. Pupils are offered support for their social and emotional growth by staff who are trained through the nurture group. All staff model positive relationships and there is an emphasis on the development of language and communication skills.

 

There is 1 to 1 provision for a pupil up to 10am and then the primary nurture group operates from 10am - 1pm. A close partnership between pupils' individual class teachers, head of department, parents and guardians and / or any other professional involved with that child is vital to ensure all pupils remain happy and all are consistent with their approach.

 

The nurture staff follow the Nurture Group principles and Curriculum guidelines as well as the national curriculum at an appropriate level.

The Nurture group Network's six principles sum up nurture group practice and theory. They underpin the context, organisation and curriculum.

The six principles are:

• Children's learning is understood developmentally
• The classroom offers a safe base
• the importance of nurture for the development of self esteem
• language is a vital means of communication
• All behaviour is communication
• the importance of transition in children's lives