During the admissions procedure punctual applications will be considered before late applications are considered.
Year 1 Intake
The following criteria will be applied in the order set down, 1 to 3, by the Board of Governors of
Ballycarrickmaddy Primary School in selecting children for admission to Y1 in September 2027.
1 Children who have a sibling1, half-sibling, step-sibling in attendance at Ballycarrickmaddy Primary
School.
2 The eldest2 eligible child of the family1.
3 Children whose parents/guardians are employed in the school.
4 Children who live closest to the school, as the ‘crow flies’ from the centre of their home to the front gate of the school as measured by the online OSNI Map Shop “Linear Distance Measurement Tool” will be given priority.
See below for definitions of above terminology:
1 SIBLING/CHILD OF THE FAMILY
The phrase ‘child of the family’ is a well-established concept of family law. To provide a definition from Article
2(2) of the Domestic Proceedings (NI) Order 1980: ‘child of the family’ in relation to the parties to a marriage
or parties living together in the same household means:
– a child of both of them; and
– any other child who has been treated by both of those parties as a ‘child of their family’.
Thus this definition of ‘child of the family’ covers:
– a child born to a married couple;
– a child born to a co-habiting couple;
– a child of either of those people by a previous marriage or relationship;
– a child living with same sex partners whether there is a civil partnership under the Civil Partnership
Act 2004 or not;
– an adopted or fostered child;
– a situation where, for example, a cousin is being brought up with a family.
2 ELDEST CHILD
This criterion to be defined as ‘children who, at the date of their application, are the eldest child of the family
to be eligible to apply for admission to the school’. This wording covers only children and is also intended to
treat twins (or other multiples) as joint eldest.
Eldest child covers circumstances where a family has not, in the opinion of the Board of Governors, had the
opportunity to have an elder child already and currently enrolled e.g. cases where a child is more than 7 years
younger than their next eldest sibling; cases where the eldest sibling is not eligible to attend mainstream
school (for example they may attend a special school).
When considering which children should be selected for admission, the Board of Governors will only take
into account information which is detailed on the application or provided directly to the school.
Parents/Guardians should therefore ensure that all information pertaining to their child and relevant to the
school’s admissions criteria is stated on the application or provided directly to the first preference
school. Examples of such information include whether the child has brothers/sisters attending the school,
or is the eldest child in the family.
Duty to Verify
The Board of Governors reserves the right to require such supplementary evidence as it may determine to
support or verify information on any application.
If the requested evidence is not provided to the Board of Governors by the deadline given, this will result in
the withdrawal of an offer of a place. Similarly, if information is supplied which appears to be false or
misleading in any material way, the offer of a place will be withdrawn.
Waiting List Policy
Should a vacancy arise after 18 March 2027 all applications for Admission to Year 1 which were initially refused,
priority will be given to those children of parents who made application prior to the closing date before any
new or later applications. If a vacancy is still available, new applications, late applications and applications
where new information has been provided will be treated equally and the published criteria applied. This
waiting list will be in place until 31st August 2027.
The school will contact you in writing if your child gains a place in the school by this method.
Your child’s name will be automatically added to the list. Please contact the school if you wish for your child’s
name to be removed from the list.
School Information
Welcome to Ballycarrickmaddy Primary School
Ballycarrickmaddy Primary School is a thriving rural school situated approximately four miles north-west of Lisburn. We serve a wide catchment area including Lisburn, Stoneyford, Glenavy, Upper Ballinderry and the surrounding countryside. Our current enrolment is approximately 194 pupils.
As Principal, I am privileged to lead a dedicated team of teaching and support staff who are committed to ensuring that every child is known, valued and encouraged to achieve their full potential. Our staff work collaboratively to provide high-quality learning experiences, pastoral care and support for all pupils, including those with additional educational needs.
Our Ethos
At the heart of Ballycarrickmaddy Primary School is a strong Christian ethos. We strive to provide a caring, inclusive and nurturing environment where children feel safe, respected and inspired to learn.
Our school values encourage pupils to:
- Learn with curiosity and confidence
- Show kindness and respect towards others
- Grow academically, socially and personally
- Develop independence, resilience and responsibility
We believe every child is unique and we seek to help each pupil flourish through a broad range of educational opportunities both inside and outside the classroom.
Our Facilities
Our school benefits from excellent facilities which support learning across all areas of the curriculum, including:
- Seven well-equipped classrooms
- Spacious shared learning and resource areas
- Multi-purpose assembly hall
- Dedicated learning support accommodation
- Modern ICT facilities and classroom technology
- Extensive playgrounds and outdoor learning areas
- Large sports field and recreational spaces
- Outdoor classroom and environmental learning spaces
- Landscaped gardens and growing areas
Our outdoor environment plays an important role in school life and provides valuable opportunities for active, creative and environmental learning.
Teaching and Learning
At Ballycarrickmaddy Primary School we are committed to providing a high-quality, child-centred education which equips pupils with the knowledge, skills and understanding needed for life beyond the classroom.
We deliver the Northern Ireland Curriculum through engaging and challenging learning experiences that encourage creativity, critical thinking, communication and collaboration. Digital technology is integrated throughout the curriculum, helping pupils develop the skills they need for a rapidly changing world.
Our staff use a range of assessment approaches to ensure that every child is supported and challenged appropriately in their learning.
Additional Opportunities
We believe that education extends far beyond the classroom. Pupils have opportunities to participate in a wide range of enriching activities including:
- Educational visits and residential experiences
- Sporting competitions and coaching programmes
- Music, drama and performance opportunities
- Environmental and outdoor learning projects
- Shared Education activities
- Leadership and citizenship opportunities
- After-school clubs and enrichment programmes
These experiences help children develop confidence, teamwork, independence and a love of learning.
Music and the Arts
Music and the performing arts are an important part of school life. Pupils have opportunities to learn a range of instruments, participate in school performances and contribute to musical events throughout the year.
Our annual productions, seasonal celebrations and performances provide memorable experiences for children and families alike.
Wrap-Around Care
Our Mad Dogs wrap-around care provision offers flexible childcare before and after school for Ballycarrickmaddy pupils.
The service includes:
- Breakfast Club from 7.30am
- Waiting Club after the school day
- After-School Care until 6.00pm
The provision is delivered by experienced and qualified staff in a safe, caring and stimulating environment.
Working in Partnership with Parents
We recognise that parents are a child’s first and most important educators. Strong partnerships between home and school are essential in helping children succeed.
Parents are encouraged to take an active role in school life through:
- Parent consultations and information meetings
- Curriculum and learning events
- School performances and celebrations
- Volunteering opportunities
- Parent Teacher and Friends’ Association activities
- Regular communication through our digital platforms
The support we receive from parents, families and the wider community is one of the great strengths of our school.
A Caring School Community
Ballycarrickmaddy Primary School is proud of its welcoming and family-oriented atmosphere. Our pupils are encouraged to care for one another, support charitable causes and play an active role in their local community.
The Board of Governors works closely with school leaders to support the strategic development of the school and ensure that every child receives the highest quality educational experience.
We warmly invite you to visit our school and discover what makes Ballycarrickmaddy such a special place to learn, belong and grow.