Choosing the Right Primary School for Your Children
With Nursery and Primary School applications opening in Northern Ireland in January, most parents will be thinking very carefully about their school choices. This decision holds so much importance for your child’s future, so how can you confidently know you are making the right decision? Here are some things to consider:
Where is the school located? This holds so much importance, not only as an admissions criteria, but for the practical outworking of your day to day routine. Is the school practical to get to for drop offs and pick ups? Is there childcare available in the area if you are a working parent? Does the school provide wrap-around care (breakfast club/ afterschool club)?
Think about what type of school you want to send your child to. Controlled schools are under the control of the school’s board of governors and the employing authority is the Education Authority. These can be integrated. Maintained schools are managed by the Council for Catholic Maintained Schools. Irish Medium schools promote the Irish language.
Read the ethos statement of the school. You can usually find these on the school’s website. Does the ethos align with your values as a family?
Consider the extra-curricular provision. School is so much more than just literacy and numeracy. Children can broaden their learning through a wide range of afterschool activities. The school website/ prospectus will usually detail what is offered.
Talk to other parents. Speak to other parents who have children in the school. Do their children feel happy and safe in school?
Read the school policies. All schools have policies on things like SEN, homework, uniform, curricular subjects, behaviour. These are usually available on the school website.
Find out the admissions criteria for the schools you are considering. These are published on the Education Authority (EA) website from Thursday 5th December 2024.
Visit the school’s open evening. This gives you an opportunity to see what provision is available, chat to the staff and get a general feel for the ethos of the school. These usually happen around December/ January. If you aren’t sure when they are being held, contact the school and they will be happy to advise you.
Choosing a school can be a daunting decision, but when you gather enough information, you can be sure that you have given your child the best possible start in their education. Applications for Nursery and Primary School places in Northern Ireland open on Friday 10th January 2025.