Prospectus
Carrickfergus
Model Primary
School
‘Inspiring excellence through example,
endeavour and encouragement.’
Welcome
‘I love using the skipping ropes at
lunchtime’ (Saria, P6)
The Model Primary School is a co-educational controlled Primary School in Carrickfergus.
OUR SCHOOL MOTTO IS ONE OF ‘INSPIRING EXCELLENCE
THROUGH EXAMPLE, ENDEAVOUR AND ENCOURAGEMENT.’
We aim to create a vibrant and progressive culture and a climate of continuous innovation. Our ethos is one of
ambition and achievement, striving for high standards and the maximum for every learner.
The Model Primary School has a strong tradition of high standards of pupil attainment and this is reflected in
the expectations held by staff for pupils, in terms of their attitude, approach and application to learning, school
discipline, respect for others, appearance and attendance. We value the need for clear expectations, rules and
procedures, which encourage children to take responsibility for their own actions. Well established routines and clear
communication contribute to a sense of well-being, safety and security for each child. We aim to create an orderly,
caring and calm environment where teachers can teach and children can learn.
Central to the creation of this environment is a commitment to Christian values, the recognition of the worth and
value of each child and the cultivation of self-respect, so that the child may accept his/her appropriate responsibilities
and show respect for others. We aim to establish a community wherein pupils, teachers, parents and support staff
enjoy a sense of belonging and have an important part to play.
Whilst we attempt to express Christian values in the life of the school, we remain open to all children and their
parents and believe that diversity in the school community enhances the educational experience for everyone.
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VALUES
OUR SCHOOL BUILDING
Our School Building:
A Proud Past and an
Exciting Future!
Carrickfergus Model Primary School was
established within the original Model School
System for Ireland and was opened in 1860.
The original red brick and sandstone building
was replaced with the present modern
structure in 1960. Much of the history of the
school is still in evidence with the original solid
stone perimeter wall and the remains of the
old master’s garden. Our building is extremely
well maintained and we aim to provide the
best learning environment for our children and
working environment for our staff.
Model Values
MUTUAL RESPECT
IT’S OK TO BE DIFFERENT!
MEMBERS OF A TEAM
WE WORK TOGETHER TO ACHIEVE GREAT THINGS!
MASTERS OF OURSELVES
WE ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR EVERYTHING WE DO!
MOTIVATED TO LEARN AND IMPROVE
EVERYONE CAN LEARN MORE AND MORE IF THEY WORK HARD
AND TRY THEIR BEST!
MAKE A DIFFERENCE TO OTHERS
WE CAN CHANGE PEOPLE’S LIVES AND MAKE THEM BETTER!
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Children attend from all parts of the borough
of Carrickfergus. Due to the proximity of the
Belfast Road, the Model is a popular choice for
working parents. Our strive towards excellence
and the maintenance of high standards are also
important aspects of our standing within the
local community.
Our school has nine classrooms and five
mobile classrooms on three levels. We can
cater for 406 pupils and are currently at full
capacity. We have 14 single entry classes
equating to two of each year group.
We have a fully networked computer system,
a dedicated ICT suite, a library, a music room, a
Multi-Sensory room, a Learning Support room
and a school canteen. We also have a large hall
for assemblies, lunchtime facilities, Functions,
Physical Education, Carol Services and Musical
Productions.
Outside, we have deceptively large grounds
with a large secure playground, a field
containing an outdoor classroom, willow dome
and nature corner. There is also a small garden
with raised beds for ECO Schools activities.
Beside our main playground, we have an
adventure playground with play equipment
which our pupils use regularly. We also have
a secure inner courtyard where our youngest
children can experience outdoor play.
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PART OF THE LOCAL COMMUNITY
Being part of our local community is something we aspire to and value. We take
appropriate opportunities to participate in, and contribute to, community life.
We are regular participants in Council Events and initiatives such as festivals, PSNI safety activities, sporting and cultural
activities. Our choir and orchestra feature prominently within our school and also perform at local nursing homes and
community events. We have a special relationship with the residents of Wesley Court and Castlerocklands and recent
projects include delivering Harvest Gift Boxes and an Intergenerational Digital Project.
We are also fortunate to be supported by local businesses in Carrickfergus. In 2016, a brand new rugby kit was provided
by a local business and our Sports Day, Fun Day and Christmas Fair have also been supported. We remain very grateful
for the great support for our school within the community.
We love to provide opportunities for our children to share with others less fortunate than themselves through charity
events. In recent years we have supported Children in Need, Macmillan Cancer, Save the Children, Action MS and The
Children’s Hospice. We aim to teach our pupils that they can make a real difference to the lives of others which is one of
our important Model values.
We are fortunate to live in the beautiful seaside town of Carrickfergus and this enables us to use the local area around
us to assist with our work and play. We regularly make use of Carrickfergus Castle, the Promenade, Legg Park, the local
library, the town hall and Pirate Ship Park. For very special awards we may even treat some of our children to an icecream from a local shop!
Shared Education
The school works in partnership with Sunnylands Primary School and St Nicholas’ Primary School to ensure that our
pupils and staff gain the opportunity of working together and learning with others.
Nursery Links
We have close working relationships with local nurseries and playgroups and begin the process of getting to know your
child before they join us for Primary 1.
Post-Primary Links
We also enjoy positive links with post-primary schools and aim to prepare our pupils as best we can for the next stage
of their education. Our children have the opportunity to visit a variety of post-primary schools in their Primary 6 and 7
years.
“Education is the kindling
of a flame, not the filling
of a vessel.” Socrates
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ADMISSION ARRANGEMENTS
The Board of Governors has determined that only children of compulsory school age will be considered for admission.
Any child who reaches his/her fourth birthday on or before 1st July is of compulsory school age and must receive
education from that September. The full Board of Governors draws up and approves the Admissions Criteria and
delegates to a Sub-Committee of the Board of Governors the responsibility for approving all admissions. In the event of
the school being oversubscribed the Sub-Committee of the Board of Governors will apply criteria as set out below. The
criteria are listed in order of priority.
1. Children of compulsory school age.
2. Children of permanent staff, teaching or non-teaching, employed at the school on or before the final date
given by Education Authority in their admissions instructions for receipt of applications.
3. Children who have a sibling or siblings attending the school.
4. Children who have an older sibling or siblings who attended the school.
5. Children whose parent(s) attended the school.
6. A child who is the first or only in the family and the first to attend mainstream primary school.
7. Children according to date of birth, choosing the oldest first.
8. Should there be identical dates of birth among the last few children to be selected in a maximum intake,
those living closest to the school will be selected firstly. Measurement will be made using straight line
distance from school to home on an ordnance survey map. The Board of Governors reserves the right to require such supplementary evidence as it may determine to support
or verify information on any application form. The provision of false or incorrect information or the failure to provide
information within the deadlines set by primary schools can result in the withdrawal of a place and the inability to offer
a place on the part of any school nominated on the applicant’s application form. The Sub-Committee of the Board of
Governors will only take into account information that is detailed on or attached to the application form. Parents should
therefore ensure that all information pertaining to their child and relevant to the school’s admission criteria is stated on
the application form or attached to it.
ADMISSION TIMELINE
We hold our Open Evening in November.
We will ask you to complete a declaration of
interest form so we can keep in touch.
If you are finding it hard to make up your mind,
we will give you an opportunity to visit the school
again and meet with the Principal.
Application forms become available from schools
or from the Education Authority website. These
are normally available before Christmas.
Parents send their forms to their first preference
school before the deadline in January.
We will inform you of our decision towards the
end of April.
If you are unsuccessful, you may appeal the
decision.
If you are successful, the Principal and the
P1 teachers will begin visiting nurseries and
playgroups so we can begin the process of getting
to know your child.
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THE LEARNING
In Carrickfergus Model Primary School we consistently review and revise our curriculum to
ensure it meets the needs of all our children and reflects our professional beliefs about the
skills, competences and knowledge that are necessary for reaching full potential. Not only do
we want our pupils to be the best they can be academically, we also want them to believe in
their own self-worth.
‘I like all of the ICT we do’ (Daniel, P6)
Foundation Stage
Primary 1 and Primary 2 forms the Foundation Stage and seeks to build on the pre-school experiences of our children
and to provide a smooth transition into school life. Play Based Learning forms much of the ‘work’ in Primary 1 and the
children will be given a variety of learning experiences both during play and in planned activities across the curriculum.
Opportunities are taken for outdoor learning as much as possible. Readiness for reading, for writing and for number work
lie at the heart of these experiences and our children will engage in activities that will develop positive attitudes and early
success. We encourage our youngest pupils to reach a high standard by the end of Foundation Stage so that a strong
platform is built for the rest of their time at Primary School.
Key Stage 1
In Key Stage 1 our children build on and develop the learning achieved in the Foundation Stage in a more formal
way. Continued emphasis is placed on personal, social & emotional development as well as explicit emphasis on the
development of the cross curricular skills of Communication, Using Mathematics, Using ICT and Thinking Skills and
Personal Capabilities. In Key Stage One our children have opportunity to develop their thinking skills and problem-solving
strategies through Activity Based Learning.
Key Stage 2
In Key Stage 2 children extend their skills and knowledge across all the learning areas and increasingly are challenged to
make connections between their learning. We believe that our children are the citizens of today as well as of tomorrow
and should increasingly take responsibility for their own learning. We aim to prepare all of our pupils for the next step in
their education should they choose to sit the transfer test or not.
Transfer
In Primary 6 we begin the process of preparing our children for the AQE transfer test. We work closely with parents to
decide if this is the right path for their child. Children who do not sit the AQE test are fully supported in their learning.
We know that every child is different and progresses at a different rate. Our transfer results are extremely good but we
also want our children to be confident, well rounded and ready for the challenge of moving to ‘big school.’
School Uniform
Carrickfergus Model Primary School takes great pride in the appearance of our children and seeks to promote
a high standard of uniform. It is our school policy that all children should wear the school uniform. This gives
the children an important sense of identity with the school. A copy of our uniform policy is issued to new
parents on induction. Our uniform is available from Gordon’s in Carrickfergus. We are very proud of how well
turned out our pupils are!
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HOMEWORK, ASSESSMENT & REPORTING
All of our pupils are asked to complete homework. The amount and
level will depend on the stage of primary school they are at but we
believe the link between home and school is vital. This partnership is
what enables all of our pupils to develop and flourish.
‘I love the way our school is really organised and
that we have lots of fun days’ (Ryan, P6)
Assessment is an integral part of the teaching and learning process. Children are assessed on an on-going
basis by their class teachers which enables them to monitor, consolidate, develop and improve children’s
achievement and performance in school. Our assessment arrangements include the following:
• Daily marking of classwork and homework and the preparation of teaching programmes targeted at the
needs of the individual.
• Weekly, Monthly or End of Term Assessments in English and Mathematics.
• Key Stage Assessment: End of Key Stage Assessments in English, Mathematics and ICT for P4 and P7.
• Special Educational Needs Assessment. Our Special Education Needs Co-ordinator is Mrs Bankhead.
Should your child need additional help we will discuss this with you. We know that the area of Special
Educational Needs can be a sensitive one so we endeavour to support these children as best we can.
• Written Reports: A variety of written reports are sent home throughout the year. A summary of end of
term assessment results is sent home in February for P3-6. All children, P1-7, receive an annual written
report in June of each year.
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PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT
PASTORAL CARE
At Carrickfergus Model Primary we know how
important Pastoral Care is in that learning can
only take place when children are catered for
emotionally, socially and physically.
The pastoral dimension of the school involves all staff,
teaching and non-teaching and we take this responsibility
very seriously. We value every child and want to nurture
the unique skills and talents that each person has.
Children gain the most out of their time at school when
home and school work in partnership. This partnership
is highly valued at Carrickfergus Model and we are
fortunate to have such supportive parents.
Our parents are very supportive of attendance, appearance
and supervision of homework. They also support us when we
ask our pupils to dress up for a special occasion or day with
their class or if they need to bring an item to school to assist
with a project. In addition, many parents involve themselves
in a voluntary capacity to assist in the life of our school.
Formally this is done under the auspices of the P.T.A. Parents
also take an active interest in many of our school activities
such as Christmas events, concerts, and Sports Days and are
extremely generous in supporting both charity and fundraising
initiatives.
Parents receive a Parent Handbook at the beginning of
the year, a weekly Newsletter, frequent other written
communication and can access our regularly updated and
informative website. Parents will also receive monthly
newsletters from their class teacher outlining specific elements
for their class. To create opportunity to partner with parents,
Parent Information Meetings are held for each Year Group
in early September for P3 – P6 and October for P1 and P2.
These aim to deliver the vital messages and information
to enable parents to provide the appropriate support for
their children as they start each new school year. Parental
interviews run in October and February and parents receive a
written annual report about their child’s progress in June.
Pastoral care is a thread that runs through every element
of school life. It begins when the Principal and Primary 1
teachers visit our new pupils at their nursery schools so
that we can start the process of getting to know them
even before they start school. This continues throughout
their time at primary school and many of our pupils visit
us after they have left the Model because the bonds they
have made with their teachers are so strong. In addition,
many past pupils choose to send their own children to the
Model.
Our arrangements for Pastoral Care are also evident in
all of our school policies, all of which are available to our
parents. Class teachers are primarily responsible for the
pastoral care of children in their classes. As one of the
caring professions, we observe the behaviour and note the
concerns of our children and make a point of contacting
home when policy dictates or when we feel it is necessary.
Children are encouraged to share their problems.
We have a designated teacher for Child Protection and
comprehensive arrangements for Safe-guarding our
pupils. If there is a concern, children, staff and parents
are encouraged to communicate this. Please be assured
that sensitive matters will be given due and appropriate
confidentiality.
We care about each individual child and want to ensure
that our school is safe, welcoming, nurturing and will
encourage our pupils to reach their potential and fulfil
their dreams.
‘I love my teacher
because she makes
learning fun. We
have learnt rhymes
to help us with our
work’ (Abbie, P4)
From time to time, parental consultations take place about
such issues as school ethos, homework, anti-bullying, behaviour,
post primary arrangements etc and questionnaires help us to
collate parents’ views on these important elements of school.
The outcomes of such questionnaires contribute to school
decision making. There is an open door policy where parents
are welcome to arrange additional consultations with teachers
where areas of concern arise.
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MUSIC | DRAMA | ICT
EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
We are very fortunate to have a highly dedicated and professional staff. This is evidenced
through high quality classroom practice, openness and participation in new initiatives and
involvement in so many enriching activities that go beyond the classroom such as extracurricular activities, residential educational visits etc.
Each year we offer a range of extra-curricular activities. Some of these are run by outside
providers so will incur a cost. Others are run by our dedicated teaching staff. Examples of
some of these are:
MORNING SUPERVISION* BREAKFAST CLUB**
JO-JINGLES GOOD NEWS CLUB JUMPING CLAY
FOOTBALL RUGBY HOCKEY CHOIR ORCHESTRA
BODY BALANCE IRISH DANCING ECO CLUB SCHOOL
COUNCIL DRAMA SCIENCE CRAFTY CLUB ICT CLUB
JU-JITSU JOYFUL NOISE BORN TO MOVE CYCLING
PROFICIENCY COACHING4CHRIST FOOTBALL
*(from 8.00am – no cost) **(from 8.00am)
Music and Drama
The school has a strong musical tradition and we are very proud
of our excellent choir and orchestra. Over the years we have
collected many trophies and accolades at the Carrickfergus
Festival. We have also taken part in School Choir of the Year
and the Peace Proms. Our pupils also have the opportunity to
take part in verse speaking competitions. Each year the children
take part in Christmas performances or carol services. Our older
children are also given the opportunity to take part in school
productions.
Music plays a significant and distinctive part in the curriculum of
Carrickfergus Model Primary School. We have music tuition in
school consisting of; String tuition, Woodwind Tuition, Brass Tuition
and Piano Tuition.
ICT
We are very fortunate to be well resourced for ICT and
significant investment has made in this area over the last few
years. Our children have access to interactive whiteboards,
laptops, ipads and a computer suite. We make the most of
learning Apps and video conferencing opportunities. By Primary 7
our children are very proficient in their ICT skills.
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‘I love the after school clubs,
especially hockey’ (Holly, P7)
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EDUCATIONAL VISITS & VISITORS
Each Year Group
organises educational
visits related to
curriculum projects.
These provide a very
important extension to
classroom work, with
visits locally throughout
Northern Ireland and
abroad.
Locally classes visit Carrickfergus Castle, the
library, Legg Park, Pirate Ship Park and Lough
Shore.
Thoughout Northern Ireland visits include the
Ulster Folk Museum, Stormont and Titanic’s
Thompson Dock, Belfast Zoo, Streamvale Farm,
Carnfunnock Country Park and Greenmount.
In addition, a number of residential trips are
organised for our Primary 6 and Primary 7
children. These include visits to the Share
Centre in Enniskillen (P6) and York / London
(P7).
A range of visitors come to school every year
to broaden the children’s experiences and
inform them about interesting and relevant
topics. Last year our children enjoyed visits,
among others, from the School Patrol Man, the
School Nurse, the RNLI, Fire Service, P. S.N.I,
Storytellers and some very willing grandparents.
Often classes will have special days linked to
their topic of study eg Viking day, Fairytale Day
and Egyptian Day. We also have whole school
events such as Neon Day, World Book Day,
Internet Safety Day, Anti-Bullying Week and
Money Week.
We also have close links with our nurseries
and post-primary schools and there are many
opportunities for our older children to visit
potential schools and get a flavour of postprimary life.
We really value these experiences in school
and how they can bring learning to life for our
young people.
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Finally
Thank you for taking the time to read our prospectus. We hope you are impressed with what we have to
offer. However, no prospectus can ever provide a complete picture of the life of a school. In addition, no
prospectus can ever be definitive because as a school we are always trying to make things better for our
children and sometimes we have to make changes to improve what we are already doing. We look forward
to inspiring excellence in your child, providing loving and caring examples of manners and behaviour, ensuring
that your child understands the importance of hard work and endeavour and giving your child the support and
encouragement to be the best they can be.
‘We get good education at this school, the teachers
are nice and we don’t just get pupils from Northern
Ireland, we get pupils from around the world’
(Julia, P6)
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Photography & Design by www.coolforschoolcreative.com
Carrickfergus Model
Primary School
4 Belfast Road
Carrickfergus
BT38 8BU
Tel: 028 93351560
Email: [email protected]
Principal: Mrs J. Miller
www.carrickmodelps.co.uk