About Us

Culcrow Primary School

Culcrow Primary School is a rural school with a calm, caring environment where your child is both encouraged and supported so they can reach their full potential. The Culcrow ‘family’ is made up of staff, parents and most importantly 105 pupils.

We deliver the full NI Primary Curriculum, and more in-depth information can be found here about all the various approaches we use to make learning at Culcrow a positive, inviting and inclusive experience.


School Facilities

We are proud of our facilities and links with the local community. Facilities include our 4 classrooms, secluded woodland imaginative play area and all-weather pitch for PE and after school activities. These facilities provide room for each child to develop all their talents and preferences.

Interactive Smartboards are in each classroom to enhance teaching and learning by integrating ICT across all curriculum areas.

We have a generous supply of iPads, notebook laptops and desktops in each classroom to enrich their learning and develop their ICT skills. The Ipads enable complete classes of children to be involved in ICT activities simultaneously.

The use of Ballylaggan Church Hall for PE classes from P1 to P7 provides a safe space for games, dance and gymnastics. A qualified sports development officer leads these weekly sessions, ensuring all pupils are given every opportunity to learn a wide variety of sporting activities. Our aim is to instil sport as an integral part of lifestyle and healthy living, and our afterschools clubs promote involvement in a wide range of further sports, as does our daily runs.

Our outdoor play equipment in the garden includes a large woodland play area with a look out post, wigwam, log cabin, mud kitchen, music and water walls, stage area, construction area and minibeast dig; we also have a fort with a climbing net, monkey bars and slide, thereby providing opportunities for all pupils to enhance learning and improve strength, balance and co-ordination while having lots of fun! Each break and lunch time play session incorporates active play where pupils choose equipment such as hoops, stilts, balls, ropes, trikes and bean bags, to create games which promote health and fitness.

Our close links with other schools throughout the school year provides pupils with opportunities to compete in sports tournaments, music festival and science fairs. We also link with Crossroad PS and Carhill Integrated Primary Schools for learning, shows, outdoor trips and ICT. Our teachers share also good practice and resources.

Close links with the Crow’s Nest Playgroup involves sharing resources, sharing staff expertise, sharing training, joint play days and supporting events. These links help the pupils entering Primary 1 make a smooth transition. We also have a joint foundation stage and play group Christmas party, sports evening and summer fun morning.

Curriculum

We deliver the full NI Primary Curriculum, and more in-depth information can be found here about all the various approaches we use to make learning at Culcrow a positive, inviting and inclusive experience.

Our very favourable Department of Education Inspection Report, 2012 outlines the good practice observed at Culcrow Primary School.

“In English and Mathematics, most of the children attain very good standards that are in line with their ability. By the end of Key Stage (KS) 2, the children read with very high levels of fluency and expression and have a very good understanding of number and measure.”

Reading Eggs

The introduction of Reading Eggs, an exciting online learning environment, enables our foundation stage children to have a sound knowledge of phonics, ensuring 100% success rate in early reading skills. This program continues in P3/4 with in depth phonics teaching and a comprehensive program which includes spelling, reading, grammar and punctuation, talking and listening and comprehension. Our aim is for every pupil to be an independent, fluent reader by the end of their P3 year.

If any child displays reading difficulties, support is provided from Primary 1 onwards. Two classroom assistants have been trained as “Reading Partners” through EA and they provide short or long term 1:1 support for some pupils. Literacy support (also on a 1:1 basis) is also provided if required; all our pupils leave school fluent readers.

Accelerated Reader

Renaissance Learning “Accelerated Reader” scheme is enjoyed by independent readers in upper KS1 and KS2, enabling pupils to read at their individual level and rate, choosing books of personal interest. A wide range of fiction and non-fiction books is available for children to use.

Writing Framework

We have constructed an extensive writing framework from P1 to P7 to ensure every pupil is given the opportunity to learn how to write effectively. Good use of grammar and punctuation is taught from P2 to P7 and pupil writing is celebrated through display, stickers and reward certificates. Pupils write for a purpose and communicate with each other, specific people outside school and with pupils in other schools.

Classroom Assistants

Classroom assistants in every classroom and a favourable teacher:pupil ratio compared to many other schools ensures children are taught and supported in small groups.

Assessment

Pupils are continuously assessed by teachers using their classwork, check up tests and more formal standardised tests. It is our intention that each pupil’s difficulties are identified quickly and appropriate reinforcement and support is provided.

Physical Education

A weekly swimming programme for P4/5 pupils (Sept. - Feb.) and P6/7 pupils (Feb. - June) with swimming instructors is provided for all pupils with many achieving life-saving bronze/silver or gold awards by the end of KS2.

Mrs Collins has completed Primary Fundamental Movement training focusing on the teaching of key PE skills.

Whole school PE curriculum which includes multi-skills, tennis, football, dance, gymnastics and games.

Additional Activities

Regular visitors to assembly and individual classes add a new dimension to our curriculum as pupils interact with subject specialists and key people in our community including police, paramedics, ministers and charity representatives.


Extra Curriculum Opportunities

The ETI team commented on our super extra-curricular provision;

“The school has an inclusive and welcoming ethos, with all members of the school community playing an active and valued role in the life and work of the school. This is evident in the very good behaviour of the children and the respectful, supportive relationships that exist at all levels. The school makes very good use of educational visits, external speakers and a broad range of local community amenities to enhance the children’s learning experiences.” (2012)

We offer many extra-curricular opportunities.

Our wide range of after school clubs include running, cross-country, science club, football, tennis, multi-skills, hockey, choir, drama, dance, iPad club, cycling proficiency, nature club, construction, heart start training, art and violin lessons.

Weekly French tuition is provided free for all P1-P7 pupils.

Private piano lessons, guitar tuition, singing tuition and violin tuition (held in school with a limited number of places) with the opportunity to sit examinations.

Regular school trips - we aim for one per half term for every class - providing lots of opportunities for learning, exploring and lots of fun! A residential trip for P5-P7 pupils is always very popular and enjoyable!

We expect excellent standards of behaviour both within our school, in the playground and when on school trips. Visitors to our school often comment on the pupils’ good manners, enthusiasm and kindness.

“The inspectors met with a group of year 6 and year 7 children. The children talked enthusiastically about their experiences at school; they particularly spoke of the kind, helpful staff and the strong emphasis placed by the teachers on showing kindness to one another. They reported that they feel happy and safe in school and they know what to do if they have any worries about their safety and well-being.” (ETI Inspection Report 2012)

Policies


School Development Plan

If you would like to read the Culcrow School Development Plan 2018 - 2021 you can download it Here (PDF). Please note this document is password protected, please contact the school if you need more details.

SDP18-21

Admissions Criteria (September 2019 Admissions)

  1. Children of compulsory school age.
  2. Children who are the eldest or only child in their family.
  3. Children who have siblings attending/attended Culcrow Primary School.
  4. Children who have attended Crow’s Nest Playgroup.
  5. Children who are closest to Culcrow Primary School, as measured by Google Maps
  6. In the event of a tie for the last place, pupils will be selected for admission on the basis of age (eldest child), established by date-of-birth as entered on birth certificate. If two children have same date of birth, pupil with home address closest to Culcrow PS, as measured by Google Maps will be selected.

Parent Teachers Association

Our active Parent Teachers Association plays a crucial role supporting the school through the organisation of key events in the school calendar, fundraising for additional resources and providing suggestions from parents.

A typical school year includes parental support at;

We appreciate our parental support throughout the year and acknowledge the active role they play in ensuring their child gets the most from education; supervision of homework, punctual and regular attendance, involvement at parent teacher interviews and support of all that takes place in school are just a few examples of how parents can make education work for their child. We see our parents as a vital link in their child’s attainment and very much part of the Culcrow team.


Our Miss Minford

Miss Minford memorial Plaque

Miss Lauren Minford began her teaching career at Culcrow and taught for six months before her tragic death on 1st March 2013. Sadly, Lauren died en route to school that morning.

Lauren inspired us all during her time in school; she showed tremendous dedication in the thorough teaching of her pupils, and her kindness and care for every pupil was an integral part of her work. She was soon part of the "Culcrow Team" and was highly valued by our pupils, parents, staff and governors.

Lauren's passion for music led her to found our school choir and many pupils discovered the love of singing when attending choir club; Lauren also supported our violin students and prepared them for performances and examinations. Lauren inspired the pupils she taught and holds a very special place in their hearts. She was a joy to have in Culcrow.

A commemorative plaque is now displayed in the middle classroom at school, but Lauren is remembered in our hearts and when we hear the pupils sing.

You always had a smile to share,
Time to give and time to care.
A loving nature, kind and true,
Is how we'll always remember you.

Dinner Menu School Clubs Pupil Zone Holidays

Where every child is valued for their contribution to our school