Business Details
Your Trusted Primary School in Newtownabbey
As the Principal of Ashgrove Primary School, I am proud to lead an institution dedicated to nurturing academic excellence and personal growth. Our school provides a supportive environment where every child can thrive, combining modern facilities with a curriculum focused on critical thinking and emotional development. Through our Thinking Matters approach, we equip students with metacognitive strategies to become adaptable learners. Our recent refurbishment has created bright, contemporary spaces that enhance the educational experience.We prioritise pastoral care, safeguarding, and community engagement, ensuring pupils develop the skills and confidence to reach their full potential. With a strong emphasis on collaboration between staff, parents, and pupils, we foster a culture of mutual respect and shared responsibility for learning. Our mission statement, 'Learning, Caring, Growing Stronger Together', reflects our commitment to holistic education and lifelong success.
Services
Primary Education
Thinking Matters Curriculum
Pastoral Care
Online Safety Programs
STEM Education
Highlights and features
- We offer a Thinking Matters curriculum to develop reflective learners
- Our school provides modern, refurbished facilities for optimal learning
- We prioritise pastoral care and emotional wellbeing for all pupils
- Our community ethos fosters collaboration between staff, parents and pupils
- We deliver a balanced curriculum combining academic and life skills
Services
Primary Education
Our primary education program delivers a comprehensive curriculum tailored to develop core academic skills and personal growth. Through structured lessons and interactive learning, we cultivate literacy, numeracy, and critical thinking abilities. Our experienced teachers create engaging environments that nurture curiosity and foster a lifelong love of learning.
Thinking Matters Curriculum
This innovative approach teaches metacognitive strategies using tools like Thinking Frames and Habits of Mind. Students learn to reflect on their learning processes, improving adaptability and problem-solving skills. Visual tools help organise thoughts and enhance memory retention through combined verbal and visual learning techniques.
Pastoral Care
Our pastoral care system ensures every child feels safe, valued and supported. Dedicated staff monitor wellbeing, address concerns promptly, and implement anti-bullying initiatives. We maintain open communication channels between school, families and external agencies to provide holistic support for pupils' emotional and social development.
Online Safety Programs
Comprehensive online safety education teaches responsible digital citizenship. Students learn to navigate internet risks while developing positive online behaviours. Our curriculum covers cybersecurity basics, ethical use of technology, and strategies for maintaining privacy and personal safety in digital environments through age-appropriate, interactive lessons.
STEM Education
Our STEM program integrates science, technology, engineering and mathematics through hands-on experiments and real-world applications. Students engage in collaborative projects that develop analytical thinking and technical skills. We utilise modern equipment and outdoor learning spaces to demonstrate practical applications of scientific concepts and engineering principles.
People
R Smith
Principal
Principal R Smith leads Ashgrove Primary School with a commitment to academic excellence and pupil wellbeing. With extensive educational experience, they oversee curriculum development and staff training while maintaining close community engagement. Their leadership focuses on creating innovative learning environments that prepare children for future challenges.
Questions
How can I arrange a school tour?
Tours are available on Saturdays and weekdays. Visit our website to book a tour for P1 admissions in September 2026.
What makes your curriculum unique?
Our Thinking Matters approach develops metacognitive skills using visual tools like Thinking Frames and Habits of Mind to enhance learning.
What facilities do you offer?
Recent refurbishments provide modern classrooms and learning spaces with interactive technology and dedicated areas for STEM and physical education.
How do you support pupil wellbeing?
We provide comprehensive pastoral care including anti-bullying initiatives, emotional support and close collaboration with families.
What extracurricular activities are available?
We offer after-school clubs, forest school programs, music activities and participation in inter-school competitions.
How do you ensure online safety?
Our digital literacy program teaches responsible internet use, privacy protection and ethical technology practices through interactive lessons.
