ABOUT US

Our Ethos

Rathmore Primary School seeks to be a vibrant, caring community dedicated to the development of each pupil.

Through a culture of high expectation, pupils will learn the knowledge, attitudes and skills they need to realise their full potential, excelling now and in the future.

Together we are committed to fostering independence and responsibility, individually and collectively.

At Rathmore, we are committed to:

  • Creating a caring and vibrant learning community
  • Raising children’s standards in Literacy, Numeracy and ICT
  • Engaging with parents and our community
  • High expectations for all

Our Ethos


Rathmore Primary School seeks to be a vibrant, caring community dedicated to the development of each pupil.

Through a culture of high expectation, pupils will learn the knowledge, attitudes and skills they need to realise their full potential, excelling now and in the future.

Together we are committed to fostering independence and responsibility, individually and collectively.

At Rathmore, we are committed to:

  • Creating a caring and vibrant learning community
  • Raising children’s standards in Literacy, Numeracy and ICT
  • Engaging with parents and our community
  • High expectations for all

As a controlled school, our core values are Christian and are taught through RE, Personal Development Programmes and our weekly assembly.

They are:

  • Uniqueness
  • Respect
  • Kindness
  • Empathy
  • Self-Control
  • Honesty
  • Forgiveness
  • Contentment
  • Commitment
  • Self Esteem

School Organisation

Rathmore Primary School is a controlled school within the South Eastern Region of the Education Authority. It has a Nursery which accommodates 52 pre-school children. Responsibility for Rathmore’s running lies with the Board of Governors, consisting of representatives from business, the local churches, parents and staff.

The Principal, Mrs JM Hardy, and the Senior Leadership Team, effectively manage the school’s resources and lead the staff on a day-to-day basis.

The school is made up of 22 full-time teachers, with additional part-time teachers and classroom assistants that cater for over 600 pupils.

Key Stage Leaders, Year Group Leaders and Subject Leaders ensure that a balanced curriculum is effectively delivered throughout the school.

Set in Bangor West, Rathmore Primary School has been providing the community with an excellent schooling option since 1971, a tradition that is built upon the partnership of
parents and school.

Its 23 classrooms are all equipped with interactive whiteboards, and with a computer suite, a purpose built gym and assembly hall, it has the facilities to prepare our pupils with an education that will serve them well in the future.

Outside, our pupils have an abundance of space to use. With both our large playgrounds that contain specialist play equipment, an outdoor classroom, designated outdoor play
areas to facilitate learning, our sensory garden and sports’ field, we have the opportunity to provide learning outside as well as inside.

At Rathmore, we believe in giving our pupils a first class education, focused on a child-centred approach to learning. Across all three key stages, Rathmore pupils learn the knowledge, skills and attitudes that they will need to live

Foundation Stage

As the name suggests, the Foundation Stage (P1 & P2) puts in place the building blocks for a lifetime of learning. Through practical activity, pupils have the freedom to explore, create and experience learning in a variety of contexts. The basis for learning at this stage is play. Pupils are encouraged to engage in a wide range of play-based activities that will form the basis for effective communication and early literacy and numeracy concepts.  The teaching staff and classroom assistants work as a team to provide a structured yet flexible programme in line with the Northern Ireland Curriculum.

Key Stage 1

During P3 and P4, pupils consolidate the early literacy and numeracy concepts. Through guided and shared lessons, they develop independence in reading and writing, and extend their understanding of mathematical concepts. It is this knowledge that pupils begin to apply to problem solving with support from the teaching staff. It is at this stage that formal assessment begins further shaping the provision each child receives. The cross-curricular skills of Communication, Using Mathematics and Using ICT are assessed at the end of this Key Stage.

Key Stage 2

The final three years of the primary school phase culminate in the preparation for transition to the secondary phase. P5, P6 and P7 combine the acquisition of knowledge with the development of skills to form independent, confident learners who can use multiple approaches to problem-solving. In a challenging and supportive environment, teachers integrate practical activity with direct instruction to cultivate the learning and attitudes to learning that empowers pupils to be responsible decision-makers and successful in the future. The Key Stage 2 phase embeds effective assessment of the cross-curricular skills throughout, further identifying the abilities of each pupil.