Primary School and Nursery Admissions - FAQ's
Dear Parent,
We love to meet prospective parents in person to explain our Integrated ethos and tell people about the happy and wonderfully child centered environment that we have.
Many people who visit us are keen to hear about the Admissions process as well as the
quality of learning and experiences of the children.
Please feel free to contact the school by email or telephone to have discussion and to find
out more about our school.
[email protected]
02838 350754
In the meantime, we hope that you find the answers to regularly asked questions to be
useful:
We love to meet prospective parents in person to explain our Integrated ethos and tell people about the happy and wonderfully child centered environment that we have.
Many people who visit us are keen to hear about the Admissions process as well as the
quality of learning and experiences of the children.
Please feel free to contact the school by email or telephone to have discussion and to find
out more about our school.
[email protected]
02838 350754
In the meantime, we hope that you find the answers to regularly asked questions to be
useful:
What is Integrated Education?
Integrated Education brings children and staff from Catholic and Protestant traditions, as well as those of other beliefs, cultures and communities together in one school. For more than 30 years, Integrated Schools have been intentionally and proactively developed to encourage more mixing in schools.
Empowering children, young people and adults as thinking individuals is a priority for integrated schools so that as they grow and mature, they’ll be able to affect positive change in the shared society we live in.
Integrated Schools educate all children together in a way that enables them to develop the confidence to express their own identity and culture and the ability to respect and engage with the identity and culture of others.
Empowering children, young people and adults as thinking individuals is a priority for integrated schools so that as they grow and mature, they’ll be able to affect positive change in the shared society we live in.
Integrated Schools educate all children together in a way that enables them to develop the confidence to express their own identity and culture and the ability to respect and engage with the identity and culture of others.
What does the Integrated Ethos look like at Portadown Integrated School?
We hope that the following statements from our Excellence Integrated Education Award report give you a sense of the caring, loving and inclusive ethos that exists within the school:
- Children are certainly at the heart of PIPS.
- The integrated ethos is palpable in this school. ETI noted “The leadership and management of the school have a strategic vision for school improvement underpinned by a child friendly, rights respecting integrated ethos”.
- The whole school and the whole school community oozes integration in action. Children talk confidently about what the integrated ethos means for them in practice.
- Staff relationships and morale in PIPS are obviously very good. There is a culture of respect and support. This is a very caring staff and each person is valued for what they bring to the school.
- Young people are able to develop a positive sense of themselves and their beliefs, along with a respect for the beliefs and values of others.” The school has managed to create a welcoming environment for people of all faiths and none and this can be
- experienced in corridor wall displays. Article 30 of the UNCRC “You have the right to practise your own culture, language and religion” is taken seriously and children can articulate this respect for all in the school community.
- There is a very obvious warm, caring ethos in the school – as one parent put it “ every teacher in the school has a great love for the children and a genuine kindness.’
- There are many excellent examples of the four key Principles of Integrated Education being embedded into the experiences of the children in all classes in a very natural way.
- The pastoral care provision is of a high standard with some very innovative methods for developing positive behaviour and the self-esteem of all pupils.
- It attracts pupils from a wide range of social, cultural and religious backgrounds and has a good balance from the two main traditions. This has created a dynamic environment wherein children can learn together to celebrate both their shared
- humanity and their religious and cultural differences. The recent ETI Inspection Report confirms how this school has been able to provide a first class education in an integrated setting. It is an excellent example of good practice in integrated education
- which is provided by a hard working principal and staff team, well supported by the parents and a committed Board of Governors.
Do the children follow the same curriculum as they do in non-Integrated schools?
- All Integrated schools follow the Northern Ireland Curriculum as set by the Department of Education for Northern Ireland. Portadown Integrated Nursery and Primary School have received excellent feedback from ETI regarding the quality of teaching and learning experience of the children.
- There is ample evidence to show that the school offers a fully implemented N I Curriculum. Teachers' planners, pupils' books, wall displays and good monitoring and evaluation strategies in place indicate that children are provided with a broad and balanced curriculum. (Excellence in Integrated Education Assessors)
How long does a Nursery School day last?
- The Nursery day starts at 8.45am and ends at 1pm
How is the Nursery School funded?
The Nursery school is funded by the Department of Education for 2.5 hours each day. To enable the school to provide an extend pre school day we ask parents to pay £2.70 per day.
What opportunities would my school have for after school activities?
In addition to an After Schools Care Service, the Primary School provides a wide range of after school sporting, learning and arts related activities including: Football, Drama and Dance, Healthy Kidz, Adventure Time, ECO Club, French, Singing, Tennis.
What is the religious balance within the school?
The school has a religious and cultural balance among its pupils, staff and governors. Admissions policy includes the fundamental criterion that is the maintenance of a reasonable balance of Protestants, Catholics, other faiths and Others in accordance with NICIE
Guidelines.
The school has been successful at seeking a balance of 35% Protestant, 35% Catholic and 30% Other Religions, No religion and other identity.
Many parents have a mixed relationship/marriage and choose not to define their child as being from a particular Religious background.
Guidelines.
The school has been successful at seeking a balance of 35% Protestant, 35% Catholic and 30% Other Religions, No religion and other identity.
Many parents have a mixed relationship/marriage and choose not to define their child as being from a particular Religious background.
How do I apply for a place at the Nursery or Primary School?
At present the Education Authority have not uploaded procedures and application forms for 2021/22 school year. The application process will go live in early January. It can be accessed at https://www.eani.org.uk/parents/admissions/pre-school-admissions-guide and https://www.eani.org.uk/parents/admissions/primary-admissions-guide
Portadown Integrated Nursery and Primary School Admissions can be found here:
How many places are there at the Nursery School and is it usually oversubscribed?
There are 52 full time places available each year. The school has been consistently oversubscribed.
Many people worry about not getting a place at the school. If you feel this way, please contact the school for advice as we can support you by explaining the Admissions Criteria in greater detail.
Many people worry about not getting a place at the school. If you feel this way, please contact the school for advice as we can support you by explaining the Admissions Criteria in greater detail.
