General Information | Eolas Ginearálta
| Enrolment No. | 460 |
|---|---|
| Principal | Mrs S. Prenter |
| Chair of Governors | Mr C. Bowd |
Our Lady and St Patrick Primary School, Bunscoil Mhuire agus Phádraig, is a Catholic Maintained School founded in 2011 as a result of the amalgamation of St Patrick’s Primary School and Convent of Mercy Primary School.
The mainstream of the school is Co-educational and caters for girls and boys. There is an Irish Unit within the school, which educates pupils through the medium of Irish. This unit is also co-educational.
The enrolment number for the year 2023/2024 is 392.
Learning Support Centre 1 & 2
Our newly opened and state-of-the-art Learning Support Centres provide support for children in Foundation/Key Stage 1 (P1 - P4) and Key Stage 2 (P5 - P7).
The LSC caters for children who have a statement of Special Educational Needs, with a wide range of needs including moderate to severe learning difficulty, Social, Behavioural & Emotional Wellbeing difficulties or Speech & Communication difficulties. In some cases, these needs could be accompanied by a medical diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.
The pupil/teacher ratio is set at a maximum of 2 adults to 7 pupils in LSC 1 and 2 adults to 12 pupils in LSC 2, allowing for plenty of opportunities for the children to develop to their full potential.
In the LSC, the children are taught by specialised teachers who differentiate the work to their individual needs. Staff receive high levels of training which is continuously updated to ensure the highest standards for all our pupils.
As we encourage an ethos of acceptance and inclusivity, the children integrate with their peers in mainstream classes for many subjects, including Play based Learning, Religion and Physical Education. In addition to joining their mainstream peers during break and lunch playtimes, children from mainstream classes also reverse integrate with the children in the Learning Support Centre.
An additional feature of our LSCs is a sensory break-out room attached to the classroom, which enriches the provision for the children.
The LSCs provide maximum support, communication and development for both pupils and parents.
AN t-AONAD | The Irish Unit
Tá oideachas trí mhéan na Gaeilge anseo i nDún Pádraig le breis is cúig bhliain is fiche agus oideachas naíscoile níos faide siar arís. Irish Medium primary school education has existed in Downpatrick for more than twenty five years and Irish Medium nursery education longer still.
Buntáistí | Advantages of Bilingualism
Is mó na buntáistí atá aitheanta ag tumoideachas ar fud fad an domhain; - súil eile ar an domhan - méadú suntasach i bhforbairt cognaíocha - meas ar chultúir eile - réimse níos fearr i dtaca le fostaíocht
The numerous benefits of Immersion Education (Irish Medium in our case) are well renowned and documented worldwide;
- increased cognitive development and improvement in the executive function of the brain (working memory/flexible thinking/self-control) - a deeper appreciation of other cultures
- increased prospects for future employment
- ability to learn another language comes easier
CURACLAM | CURRICULUM
Tá an curaclam céanna le clúdach ag na páistí agus an deis céanna acu teacht ar na háiseanna agus séirbhísí ar fad atá sa scoil; mar sin de tá sár-oideachas ar fáil ag gach eile dálta.
All pupils have to cover the NI Curriculum and have the same opportunities to avail of the resources and services within the whole school. As a result, your child can be ensured of a quality education. Our small class sizes, means teachers have more time to spend with each child. Níos mó ná hoideachas den chéad scoth atá i gceist linn, is teaghlach muid. We believe we’re more than excellent education, we’re a family!
ACCOMMODATION AND RESOURCES | Suíomh agus Áiseanna
Our school is a single storey building. It has 16 classrooms, 4 mobile classrooms, gym, ICT suite, offices, staff-room, resource areas, library and storage areas. The Canteen is a separate building situated at the school gate.
Outdoors we have separate all weather play areas for P1 & P2, R1-R4, P3, P4 – P7, R5 - R7, an outdoor classroom, a climbing frame and slide zone, a polytunnel, an outdoor kitchen and a grass play area at the rear of the school.
Inspection Report | Tuairisc chigireachta
Our School was inspected by the Education and Training Inspectorate on 18th January – the day on which the majority of the teaching staff were on strike due to Union Action. As a result of this, no teaching was observed and no children’s work was examined. The inspector said,
“The very good provision for pastoral care is characterised by the caring and welcoming ethos and the highly effective working relationships at all levels. The children’s behaviour is exemplary; they work very well together and respect the views and opinions of others.”
“The children have very good opportunities to contribute to decision-making, notably through the active school council and eco council.”
"…the children are well motivated and have positive dispositions to learn; they settle quickly to work and engage actively in their lessons.”
The report of this "Inspection” is now available on the Education and Training Inspectorate website;