Topics related to education, instruction, teaching, and learning in Holywood, County Down, Northern Ireland are the focus of this section of our web guide.
Northern Ireland's education system is notable for its blend of tradition and innovation. From controlled schools to integrated colleges and educational institutions, the region caters to a broad spectrum of academic, cultural, and personal development needs. Its publicly funded system is overseen by the Department of Education and features several school types, including controlled schools (many of which are non-denominational or aligned with Protestant traditions), maintained Catholic schools, and a growing number of integrated schools that bring together pupils from different backgrounds.
Holywood's schools include Holywood Nursery School, Holywood Primary School, St. Patrick's Primary School, Holywood Rudolf Steiner School, Rockport School, Priory Integrated College, and Sullivan Upper School, which includes Sullivan Preparatory School.
One of Northern Ireland's original pre-school providers, Holywood Nursery School has been nurturing young learners since 1947. Located on Church Road, this non-denominational, teacher-led institution is recognised for its personalized approach; parents are informed about daily learning activities, while confidence and independence are emphasized through play and guided exploration.
Holywood Primary School serves as a centre for early education, providing exceptional instruction for children aged four to eleven. Situated on Hillview Place, the school is part of the controlled sector, operating under the guidance of the Education Authority. With a focus on establishing strong academic foundations, the school balances a rigorous curriculum with pastoral care, ensuring the children develop academically, socially, and emotionally.
St. Patrick's Primary School is a Catholic-maintained school serving boys and girls aged four through eleven, and is managed under the Catholic education system. Its curriculum emphasizes strong pastoral care and community engagement. Its ethos, "Living and Learning: Today and Tomorrow," reflects a vision of education that goes beyond academics to incorporate spiritual and emotional growth.
The Holywood Rudolf Steiner School, often referred to as the Holywood Steiner School, operates on the principles of the Waldorf education model. Since its founding in 1975, the school has adopted a holistic approach that aims to cultivate the intellectual, artistic, and practical skills of its pupils. Enroling students from age three to seventeen, the Steiner School offers a distinctive educational experience where creative play, nature-based learning, and imaginative exploration are central. The independent school was one of the first integrated schools in the region.
Another independent school in Holywood, Rockport School, caters to pupils aged two and a half to eighteen years, operating as both a day and boarding school. Rockport blends the traditions of the British Public School system with a modern, nurturing ethos. Set on twenty-five acres of woodland in Craigavad, a townland in the civil parish of Holywood, the school is known for its academic rigour and extra-curricular offerings, including the nation's only school-based golf academy.
Priory Integrated College is a secondary school that exemplifies the spirit of integration. Serving pupils aged eleven to eighteen, the college provides an inclusive education that bridges traditional divisions. With an emphasis on collaboration and digital innovation, the college offers a modern curriculum that encompasses a broad range of subjects, including art and design, business studies, and English. Every student has access to an educational iPad.
Sullivan Upper School has roots dating back to 1877. It is a mixed, non-denominational, voluntary grammar school that enrols more than a thousand pupils. Known for its rigorous curriculum and extensive extra-curricular programmes, the school's motto, Lámh Foisdineach An Uachtar translates "with the gentle hand foremost." The school is divided into four houses (Praeger, Grant, McAlester, and Speers. The school includes Sullivan Preparatory School, which contains only three of the four houses, minus Grant.
These, along with any other school or educational programmes in Holywood, are appropriate resources for this category, whether formal or informal, academic or vocational.
Recommended Resources
Situated near the town centre, Holywood is a non-denominational teacher-led pre-school under the control of the Department of Education and the Education Authority. Founded in 1947, it was one of Northern Ireland's original nursery schools, enroling children aged two to four. It is a pre-school that provides part-time education for both boys and girls. The school regularly brings in special visitors to engage with the children, and parents receive weekly emails.
https://www.holywoodnursery.co.uk/
Located at Hillview Place in Holywood, Northern Ireland, the school enrols pupils in P1 through P7, catering to children aged four to eleven years of age, preparing them to transition to secondary education. Pupils have access to a variety of extra-curricular activities, including after-school clubs, sports and physical activities, community involvement projects, music, drama, and arts programmes. The school also emphasizes parental involvement. Photos and parent resources are included.
https://www.holywoodprimary.org.uk/
The Holywood Rudolf Steiner School is a Waldorf school in Holywood, County Down, Northern Ireland. The independent, co-educational school teaches children, ages 3 to 17, using methods inspired by Rudolf Steiner. Established in 1975, the school's website states that it was one of the first integrated schools in Northern Ireland. A profile of the school and its educational methods is available on the website, including information on why to choose the school, a promotional video, and contacts.
https://www.holywood-steiner.co.uk/
Commonly known as Priory College or simply Priory, the secondary school is located on My Lady's Mile, in Holywood, County Down, Northern Ireland. Priory is a co-educational integrated college enroling 11-18 year-olds from a wide area beyond Holywood, including Bangor, Donaghadee, Dundonald, Millisle, and Newtownards. Its admissions policies, curriculum, a prospectus, parent and pupil resources, Sixth Form enrichments, a staff directory, and contacts are provided.
https://priorycollege.co.uk/
Professional Academy of Dance Northern Ireland
Founded in 2020, the PADNI is a dance school in Holywood, just a short distance from Belfast. It welcomes a wide range of students, offering classes for children as young as 2.5 years old all the way through to older students looking to refine their techniques and even pursue a professional career in the performing arts. Its curriculum includes fun, introductory classes as well as rigorously graded exam preparations. Its teachers are introduced and contacts are provided.
https://www.padni.co.uk/
The independent day and boarding school for boys and girls, aged 2.5 to 18 years, is situated on 25 acres on the shore of Belfast Lough in Craigavad, a townland in the parish of Holywood, Northern Ireland. Founded in 1906, the school offers small class sizes to meet the individual needs of its pupils. Boarding students reside in the main building, and the school offers both full-time and flexi-boarding options. Its early years, junior school, sixth form, and senior school are highlighted.
https://www.rockportschool.com/
The Catholic-maintained school serves boys and girls aged 4-11, and is situated in the heart of Holywood in County Down, Northern Ireland. Founded in 1938, the school prioritizes pastoral care in a nurturing environment, offering a balanced curriculum outlined on the site, along with a prospectus, details about its board of governors, staff, and after-school clubs, specific class information, and other resources for parents and pupils. Its address, a map, and contacts are provided.
https://www.stpatrickspsholywood.com/
Situated in Holywood, County Down, Northern Ireland, Sullivan Upper School is a mixed-gender, non-denominational, voluntary grammar school. Founded in 1862 by Robert Sullivan, the school consists of an upper and lower school. The lower school is located on a site adjacent to the upper school and is now known as Sullivan Preparatory School. A profile of the school is featured, and its board of governors and staff are identified. Its curriculum, pastoral programmes, and schedules are provided.
https://www.sullivanupper.co.uk/
