Business Details
50+ Years
experience
Trusted Primary Education in Downpatrick
Established in 1966, Holy Family Primary School has been dedicated to fostering a nurturing and inclusive environment where every child and staff member feels respected, valued, and supported. Our school is built on a strong foundation of community, collaboration, and positivity, with a team of experienced educators who prioritise pupil progress and deliver high-quality teaching aimed at helping every child reach their full potential. Our strategic vision is guided by a dedicated Board of Governors and supported by the Friends of Holy Family PTA, who work tirelessly to fundraise for pupil resources. Rooted in our school Mission Statement, 'In Our Hands We Hold The Future, In His Hands He Holds Us', we strive to enable all pupils to experience spiritual growth through their Catholic faith while ensuring their wellbeing is a key priority through pastoral support. We offer a full wrap-around service for pupils, including Morning Club from 8am and an After School Club, alongside many extra-curricular clubs throughout the school week. Our commitment to excellence is reflected in the outstanding quality of pastoral care, provision for children with special educational needs, and the high standards achieved in literacy and numeracy.We value the active role our parent support group 'Friends of Holy Family' play in the life of the school, organising many fundraising activities and social events to improve the resources within the school. Our facilities include a large assembly hall, modern classrooms equipped with Interactive Smartboards, and two large outside play areas with an enclosed Adventure play area. We are proud of our Silver Eco-schools award and are working towards our Green Flag, demonstrating our commitment to environmental education. Opportunities to broaden children's interests are provided through a wide range of extra-curricular activities, including Gaelic football, soccer, netball, computer club, drama, dance, cycling proficiency, music, and choir. We invite you to explore our website and hope this offers a glimpse into the enriching learning experiences we provide on a daily basis.
Services
Primary Education
After-School Club
Extra-Curricular Activities
Special Educational Needs Support
Community Programs
Environmental Education
Music Tuition
Sports Development
Pastoral Care
Parent Engagement
Details
- Year established: 1966
Highlights and features
- We offer a nurturing environment where every child feels respected and supported.
- Our experienced staff deliver high-quality teaching focused on pupil progress.
- We provide extensive extra-curricular activities to broaden children's interests.
- We maintain strong home-school partnerships through active parent engagement.
- Our facilities include modern classrooms and outdoor spaces for holistic learning.
Services
Primary Education
We deliver a comprehensive primary education curriculum tailored to individual needs, with experienced teachers using modern teaching methods. Our classrooms feature Interactive Smartboards and structured learning environments that promote academic excellence in literacy, numeracy, and cross-curricular subjects. The school maintains high standards through continuous assessment and personalised support for every child.
After-School Club
Our Cool Kids Club provides supervised sessions from 2-5pm daily, offering a safe environment for pupils with structured activities and homework support. This service accommodates working parents by extending care beyond regular school hours while maintaining educational continuity through guided learning activities.
Extra-Curricular Activities
We offer diverse extra-curricular opportunities including sports teams, music tuition, drama, and environmental projects. These activities develop physical skills, creative talents, and social abilities while fostering teamwork and leadership through Gaelic football, choir, and eco-school initiatives.
Special Educational Needs Support
Our dedicated learning support teacher and trained assistants provide targeted interventions using programmes like Maths Recovery and Reading Partnership. We offer individualised support plans for children with special educational needs, ensuring access to curriculum materials and personalised learning strategies within inclusive classroom settings.
Community Programs
We maintain strong home-school links through curriculum evenings, parent-teacher meetings, and the Friends of Holy Family PTA. These initiatives facilitate regular communication, collaborative fundraising, and community-building events that enhance educational resources and create a supportive network for families.
People
Mrs Geraldine Sproule
Principal
Mrs Sproule leads Holy Family Primary School with over 30 years' experience in education, prioritising pupil progress and community engagement. She champions inclusive learning environments and maintains strong partnerships with governors and parent groups to enhance educational provision.
Questions
What age range does Holy Family Primary School cater for?
We educate children from Foundation Stage through Key Stage 2, typically aged 4-11 years old.
Does the school offer before and after school care?
Yes, we provide Morning Club from 8am and Cool Kids Club supervised sessions until 5pm daily.
What extra-curricular activities are available?
We offer sports teams, music tuition, drama, environmental projects, and special interest clubs throughout the school week.
How does the school support children with special educational needs?
Our dedicated learning support teacher and trained assistants deliver targeted programmes like Maths Recovery and Reading Partnership with individualised support plans.
What are the school's inspection ratings?
The 2010 Focused Inspection Report recognised outstanding pastoral care, special educational needs provision, and high literacy/numeracy standards.
How can parents get involved with the school?
Parents participate through curriculum evenings, regular progress meetings, and the Friends of Holy Family PTA fundraising group.
