Business Details
50+ Years
experience
Trusted Primary Education in Coleraine
Established in 1933, Damhead Primary School provides a nurturing environment where children's needs and interests are central to all learning experiences. Our dedicated staff fosters a Christian ethos of mutual respect, teamwork, and responsibility, ensuring every child feels valued. We implement the international PATHS programme to develop emotional awareness and problem-solving skills, while offering extensive extracurricular activities including sports, music, and drama.Our wraparound service operates from 8am-5pm with breakfast and after-school clubs, and we actively engage with local community partnerships to enrich educational opportunities. The school maintains a strong focus on inclusivity, currently working towards the Autism Impact Award to better support neurodiverse learners.
Services
Primary Education
Extracurricular Activities
Wraparound Care
PATHS Programme
Music Tuition
Details
- Year established: 1933
Highlights and features
- We have 90 years' experience delivering primary education in Coleraine
- We implement the international PATHS social-emotional learning programme
- We offer wraparound care from 8am-5pm with dedicated staff
- We provide specialist music tuition through the Causeway School of Music
- We maintain a 1:1 classroom assistant ratio for personalised support
What people say
Nurturing environment
Dedicated staff
Excellent extracurriculars
Structured PATHS programme
Strong Christian ethos
Services
Primary Education
We provide comprehensive primary education for children aged 4-11, following the Northern Ireland curriculum. Our experienced teachers deliver tailored instruction across all core subjects while maintaining small class sizes for individual attention. The curriculum is enhanced through specialist music tuition and performing arts opportunities.
Extracurricular Activities
We offer extensive extracurricular programmes including sports (football, hockey, rugby), creative arts (drama, craft), and music activities. These activities run daily from 2-5pm and are designed to develop physical skills, creativity, and teamwork in a safe, supervised environment.
PATHS Programme
Our whole-school implementation of the international PATHS programme develops emotional awareness and conflict resolution skills. Through structured lessons, children learn to manage emotions, build relationships, and develop empathy, supporting both academic and personal growth.
Wraparound Care
We provide supervised care from 8am-5pm with breakfast club (8:15-8:45am) and Hop Club after-school provision. This service supports working families while ensuring children receive consistent pastoral care before and after regular school hours.
Music Tuition
Through partnership with the Causeway School of Music, we offer specialist tuition in various instruments including flute, violin, trumpet, and guitar. Additional vocal coaching and musical theatre workshops develop performance skills and creative expression for pupils of all ages.
People
Jill Laverty
Principal
With over 25 years' experience in primary education, Jill Laverty leads Damhead Primary School's dedicated staff. She champions child-centred learning and has implemented the international PATHS programme to enhance social-emotional development across the school.
Questions
What age groups do you teach?
We provide education for children aged 4-11 years across seven year groups from P1 to P7.
Do you offer after-school care?
Yes, our Hop Club operates daily from 2-5pm with various supervised activities for all age groups.
What special programmes do you offer?
We implement the international PATHS social-emotional learning programme and provide specialist music tuition through the Causeway School of Music.
How do you support special educational needs?
While we maintain inclusive practices, our current Autism Impact Award training is developing enhanced support structures for neurodiverse learners.
What extracurricular activities are available?
We offer football, hockey, rugby, drama, craft, and music activities with specialist coaches and regular performance opportunities.
How can parents get involved?
Parents participate through our Parent and Friends Association, school council representation, and volunteering opportunities at events and activities.
