Holy Family Primary School and Nursery Unit, Magherafelt is situated just off the Castledawson Road on the fringe of Magherafelt and serves the parish of Magherafelt and the school’s catchment area. It is a co-educational Catholic Maintained school catering for the 3-11 age range. The school estate is extensive and well maintained. It includes a purpose built double Nursery Unit and the Department of Education is committed to the development of a new school building in the future. The school is very much a community school with a warm and welcoming environment.

The current enrolment is 507 plus 52 Nursery children. The teaching staff consists of a Principal, Vice Principal (SENCo), and 22.6 teachers and 28 classroom assistants, including Polish, Lithuanian and Syrian assistants.

The accommodation comprises of 21 classrooms (3 form entry), a reading room, an ICT suite, a special needs/medical room, a gymnasium/hall, a canteen, two outside classrooms and a further two outside rooms to support peripatetic work and after school activities as well as a number of resource rooms. There is ample green field space to provide for sports and other outside activities.

Holy Family Primary School is characterised by the vibrant, positive ethos being lived out in the school every day. There are close links with the parish and the school has an excellent reputation in the community as an open, welcoming and inclusive school where a very high standard of education is offered in an atmosphere of trust and freedom. There are appropriate, high expectations for every pupil, regardless of their ability, background, race or nationality. All children, including the 145 newcomer children from 15 different nationalities, are challenged by the delivery of an enriched, creative curriculum by caring, professional staff. Pupils’ academic achievements have always been well beyond the expected national averages throughout the school. Holy Family Primary School sees itself as an innovative school, always embracing new challenges. In addition to the many pastoral and curricular initiatives that the school has led, all staff are highly skilled in the use of technology and make use of the high level of resources available. Children in every class have access to an interactive panel to enrich the learning which is also supported by the school stock of 200 iPads as well as some 70 laptops and desktop workstations throughout classrooms and the ICT suite, all of which are utilized to the full by the school as a whole.

Pastoral care permeates all aspects of school life. It reflects the values, attitudes, beliefs and practices of our Catholic faith and involves all members of the school community.  In Holy Family Primary School staff strive to assure pupils that we are deeply concerned not only with their educational progress but also with their total well-being as unique individuals. 

Children are encouraged to play a positive role in the development of the school through their involvement in the School Council, Eco Council, Playground Pals and Digital Leaders.  The school has been awarded successive Eco Schools Green Flag awards for a number of years now.

Extra-curricular activities include successfully taking part in a range of external competitions, for which the school has won many accolades, both locally and nationally. The school’s own activities include choir, traditional music, basketball, camogie, soccer, Gaelic football, cycling proficiency, rugby, ICT, Irish, French, dancing. There are strong links with local clubs to promote and support community groups and to provide rich opportunities for children outside the school context such as the local Gaelic football club, the Scouts, swimming club and many more.

An extended schools programme helps to support newcomer pupils with homework at both KS1 and KS2 level. The school is part of a Shared Education programme with all the primary providers in the town of Magherafelt, promoting tolerance and respect.

There is a particularly strong musical tradition in Holy Family Primary School which is reflected in the high quality choir and traditional music group, both of which perform at various times during the year in the school and in the local community.  The school also receives support from three EA peripatetic tutors for brass, woodwind and stringed instruments.

The partnership with the Board of Governors is vital for the life of the school. Often Governors attend the school to share and experience the life of the school, both at a curricular and a pastoral level. School improvement, through teacher professional learning, is prioritised in the life and work of the school.  Non-teaching staff are also encouraged to participate in professional development opportunities which promote quality outcomes and enhance overall provision.