The Northern Ireland town of Strabane, in County Tyrone, offers a variety of educational opportunities, including primary, secondary, and vocational education.
The town has prominent schools and institutions catering to diverse academic needs.
There are two secondary schools in Strabane: Holy Cross College and Strabane Academy. The former was created in 2003 by consolidating the town's three post-primary Catholic schools: Convent Grammar School, Saint Colman's High School, and Our Lady of Mercy High School. Initially operating across all three sites, the school was combined into one building in 2009. Holy Cross is a co-educational bilateral college offering a grammar school education within an all-ability school. The town's other secondary school, Strabane Academy, was created in 2011 by joining Strabane Grammar School and Strabane High School. It provides a balanced curriculum that includes academic and vocational courses. Its campus overlooks the River Mourne to the south of the town.
North West Regional College also has a campus in Strabane, offering vocational and further education courses for post-16-year-olds. The campus is a hub for adult learners and those seeking professional qualifications.
Younger learners are served by a selection of infant and primary schools in and around Strabane. The central location of the town allows parents the choice of schools in Derry, Omagh, and Donegal. Among these are Artigarvan Primary School, Bready Jubilee Primary School, Donemana Primary School, Saint Catherine's Primary School, Saint Mary's Primary School, and Strabane Primary School.
Another interesting choice is Ghaelscoil Uí Dhochartaigh. Opened in 2024, the school offers a primary education through the Irish (Gaelic) language. It promotes bilingualism and cultural heritage.
Although the similarities are stark, the education system in Northern Ireland differs from other parts of the United Kingdom in several ways. Northern Ireland uses a selective system for post-primary education, with students taking transfer tests to determine placement in grammar or secondary schools. Its curriculum includes unique subjects such as Learning for Life & Work (LLW), which focuses on personal development, citizenship, and employability. Additionally, while schools in Northern Ireland are traditionally segregated, Catholic or Protestant, its educational system has introduced community integration programs designed to bridge the gaps between communities.
Education in Northern Ireland is overseen by the Department of Education and the Education Authority, which manages policies, funding, and school operations.
Topics relating to education, training, and learning in Strabane, Northern Ireland, are the focus of this portion of our guide.
Recommended Resources
Artigarvan Primary School & Community Nursery
Situated on Berryhill Road, Strabane, County Tyrone, Northern Ireland, the school's nursery is part of the primary school and caters to children aged 2-4. From Year 1 to Year 7, it offers tailored learning experiences for each age group, as well as collaborative programmes with other schools to enhance learning opportunities. Its board of governors, staff, prospectus, and admission policies are featured, with an introduction to its nursery and class pages, along with contacts.
https://www.artigarvanps.co.uk/
Bready Jubilee is a primary school that serves boys and girls aged 4 to 11. Located on Cloghboy Road in Bready, Strabane, Northern Ireland, the school emphasizes a child-centred approach, focusing on creating a positive and caring environment. Its curriculum includes core subjects like English, Mathematics, and Science, along with creative and physical activities to ensure holistic development. Additionally, the school provides computer resources to enhance learning experiences.
https://www.breadyjubileeps.com/
Catering to children aged 4 to 11 years, the school is located along Longland Road, County Tyrone, Northern Ireland, and offers a variety of programmes to enrich the learning experiences of its students, including a reception class for younger children, a school council to encourage leadership and teamwork, and after-school activities like football and swimming. The school utilizes a House System to foster a sense of community and friendly competition. Schedules and contacts are provided.
https://www.donemanaps.com/
Established in 2004 through the amalgamation of three Catholic post-primary schools, Holy Cross is a co-educational, all-ability secondary school in Strabane, Northern Ireland. The college features a modern campus with state-of-the-art facilities, including over a hundred classrooms, sports pitches, a gymnasium, and a sports hall. The institution provides a diverse curriculum and caters to students aged 11 to 19, with both grammar and non-selective streams. Schedules and contacts are included.
https://www.holycrosscollege.co.uk/
Situated in Strabane, County Tyrone, Northern Ireland, in the Catholic Parish of Melmount, St. Mary's opened in 2012 as a result of the amalgamation of St. Mary's Boys' and St. Mary's Girls' Primary Schools. Offering a nursery programme as well as its primary school curriculum, St. Mary's has a long tradition of inclusion and adaptations to the school buildings to enable children with disabilities to attend. Its location, schedules, classes, a gallery of photographs, and contacts are posted.
https://www.stmaryspsmelmount.com/
Strabane Primary School and Nursery provides a balanced curriculum for its pupils, including both indoor and outdoor learning opportunities. An introduction to the school, its PTA, school development plan, school council, and policies are provided, along with a school calendar, a holiday list, and announcements of special programmes and events. Located on Derry Road in Strabane, County Tyrone, Northern Ireland, its address, phone number, email address, and a map are provided.
https://www.strabaneps.co.uk/
