Schools and educational or instructional programmes at all levels in Carrickfergus, Northern Ireland, are the focus of this category.
Carrickfergus is home to an array of educational and instructional programmes catering to learners of all ages.
Early childhood education is designed to provide young children with a foundation for lifelong learning. Nurseries and preschools focus on creating a nurturing environment where children can develop social, cognitive, and motor skills. Examples include Greengables Pre-school, Important Mini People, Jollytots, and Sunnylands Nursery School. While not compulsory, most children attend pre-school for one year before starting primary school.
Children start primary school at four or five. The primary education system is divided into three stages: the Foundation Stage for 4-6-year-olds (Years 1 and 2), Key Stage 1 for 6-8-year-olds (Years 3 and 4), and Key Stage 2 for 8-11-year-olds (Years 5, 6, and 7). After completing primary school, students usually transition to post-primary education, including secondary and grammar schools. Primary schools in Carrickfergus, such as Carrickfergus Model Primary School and Victoria Primary School, offer a broad curriculum that includes core subjects like English, mathematics, science, arts, physical education, and technology. Extra-curricular activities, like sports and music, are also integral to the primary school experience.
Secondary education in Carrickfergus typically spans five to seven years and is divided into three stages: Key Stage 3 for 11-14-year-olds, Key Stage 4 for 14-16-year-olds, and Key Stage 5 for students 16-18year-olds. GCSE exams are taken after Key Stage 4, while Key Stage 5 leads to A-levels or vocational qualifications. Secondary schools offer a range of subjects, including humanities, sciences, languages, and vocational courses.
While Carrickfergus does not host a university, those seeking higher education may choose from several nearby institutions, such as Queen's University Belfast or Ulster University.
Besides formal education programmes, local tutoring services would also be appropriate for this category, as would driver training programmes or other instructional programmes.
Recommended Resources
Acorn Integrated Primary School
The integrated, co-educational primary school includes a nursery and playgroup. According to its website, the school includes state-of-the-art technology in all classrooms, and age-appropriate play areas for children from Nursery through Primary 7. An introduction to the school, its attendance policies, curriculum, admissions policies, code of conduct, and uniform policies are outlined, along with office contacts, announcements, news, and an online enquiry form.
https://acornips.com/
Carrickfergus Academy is a secondary school in Carrickfergus, Northern Ireland. It is an all-ability, non-selective school for pupils aged 11-18. The school is split across two campuses: the Junior Campus for Key Stage 3 pupils and the Senior Campus for Key Stage 4 and Sixth Form students. The school offers a range of academic, vocational, and occupational courses to help students succeed in various careers. General information about the school, its curriculum, and contacts are provided.
https://www.carrickfergus.academy/
The Controlled Grammar School opened in 1962 and is located on the former site of Thornfield Manor, overlooking the town of Carrickfergus, with a view of Carrickfergus Castle and Belfast Lough. Its board of governors, staff, office contacts, bus timetables, attendance policies, and a school calendar are published on the school's website, which includes a school development plan, curriculum, a prospectus, academic subjects, exam timetables, and extra-curricular programmes.
https://www.carrickfergusgrammar.com/
Carrickfergus Model Primary School
Established within the original Model School System for Ireland in 1860, the original building was replaced with the current structure in 1960, although much of the history of the school is in evidence with the original solid stone perimeter wall and the remains of the old master's garden. The school enrolls children from all parts of the borough of Carrickfergus. Its history, features, programmes, curriculum, uniforms, and policies are featured on the school's website, along with contacts.
https://www.carrickmodelps.co.uk/
Central Integrated Primary School
Situated in Carrickfergus, Northern Ireland, CIPS is an educational institution that incorporates the principles of integrated education: education, equality, faith and values, parental involvement, and social responsibility. Its location, a school calendar, class pages (P1-P7), its after-school clubs, admissions criteria, attendance policies, a holiday list, and newsletters are featured, along, an overview of its integration programme, and contact information.
https://www.centralintegratedps.co.uk/
The independent pre-school is based in Central Primary School on Thomas Street in Carrickfergus, County Antrim, Northern Ireland. Established in the 1980s, Greengables began as a small playgroup but became an accomplished pre-school with two morning classes for children aged 2 years 10 months to 4 years. Staff and office contacts are posted, along with guidelines for parents, policy information, uniform policies, kit bag info, announcements of activities, and a newsletter.
https://www.greengablespreschool.com/
Located on Upper Station Road in Greenisland, Carrickfergus, County Antrim, Northern Ireland, GPS is a P1-P7 educational institution. Its board of directors, staff, and a welcome from the school principal are presented on the website, which includes policy data, a school calendar, an overview of each of its classes (P1-P7), its uniform policies and guidelines, and a dinner menu. Its music programme, and other school activities are discussed. Contacts are posted.
https://www.greenislandps.co.uk/
Jollytots operates from its main nursery on Victoria Road in Carrickfergus, County Antrim, Northern Ireland. It serves children from 6 weeks to 5 years of age (or when they join primary school). The school also has an after-school club at Acorn Integrated Primary School in Carrickfergus, where it cares for children from P1 to P7. The school's website provides a profile of the school, an overview of its after-school clubs, and other useful information, such as pickup and policies.
https://www.jollytots.net/
Oakfield Primary School & Nursery Unit
Located on Oakfield Drive in Carrickfergus, County Antrim, Northern Ireland, this school offers primary education and a nursery unit, including classrooms, a library, a dining hall, and a purpose-built nursery unit. Its staff, board of governors, class pages (nursery, Y1-Y7), dinner menus, newsletters, policy and regulatory statements, a prospectus, and admission criteria are set forth, along with a school calendar, a holiday list, announcements, and contact data.
https://www.oakfieldprimaryschool.com/
The Catholic Maintained primary school is located on Minorca Place in Carrickfergus, County Antrim, Northern Ireland. The school's origins date back to Mount Saint Nicholas National School, an inter-denominational school that opened in 1871. St. Nicholas' Boys and St. Nicholas' Girls Primary Schools replaced the national school in 1910. In 1959, the school building was refurbished to accommodate the growing Catholic population, forming St. Nicholas' Primary School.
https://www.stnicholasps.org.uk/
Located in Carrickfergus, County Antrim, Northern Ireland, Sunnylands Nursery School is a purpose-built school established in 1975. Promising a friendly and family-oriented learning environment, the school emphasizes play as a principal means of learning and aims to develop children's literacy, mathematical concepts, scientific and technological ideas, and creative and musical activities. The school's location, staff, board of governors, policies, and curriculum are stated.
https://sunnylandsnurseryschool.com/
The P1-P7 school in Carrickfergus, County Antrim, Northern Ireland, provides a programme of activities based on the Northern Ireland Curriculum. Located on Sunnylands Avenue, the school was first opened in 1953. Its website presents the history of the school, a list of principals who have served the school, and leadership introductions, office contacts, policy information, a prospectus, class pages, school meals, and a school calendar. After-school clubs are introduced.
https://www.sunnylandsprimary.co.uk/
Opened in 1997, UIC educates Catholic and Protestant children in Carrickfergus, County Antrim, Northern Ireland. Enrolling students 11-8 years of age, the secondary school is located on Victoria Road. Its admissions policies, ethos and mission statement, and a history of the school is provided on its website, along with policy information, an introduction to school leadership personnel, a school calendar, term dates, an extra-curricular timetable, and an overview of its house system.
https://ulidiacollege.com/
Victoria Primary School & Nursery Unit
Established in 1968, the school is located on Coronation Road in Carrickfergus, County Antrim, Northern Ireland. A statement of vision and values, a prospectus, school policies, a school development plan, and an introduction to its team are set forth, along with announcements, newsletters, lunch menu, school calendar, term dates, and a school development plan. Its breakfast club, orchestra, and other out-of-school clubs are featured, along with contact information.
https://www.victoriaprimary.org.uk/
