BCIPS Prospectus

Bangor Central
Integr ated Pr imar y School
P R O S P E C T U S

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
2
Contents
Welcome from the Principal
Mission Statement
Integrated Ethos
The Curriculum
Extra Curricular Activities
Home-School Partnership
Pastoral Care
School Facilities
Admissions and Year 1 Induction
General Information
School Uniform
School Staff & Board of Governors
Term Dates
Enrolment Information
1
Welcome from
the Principal
Dear Parent / Guardian,
As the Principal of Bangor Central Integrated
Primary School, I am delighted that you are
considering our school for your child. This
prospectus is designed to assist you in making one of
the most significant decisions in your child’s life. I hope
that you find it interesting and that it helps you to gain
an insight into what life is like for pupils in this school.
Bangor Central Integrated Primary School offers
parents in North Down a unique choice. We are the only integrated school in
Bangor and therefore offer a teaching and learning environment where all
traditions and cultures are welcomed, respected and nurtured together. We
believe that the children should have the opportunity to develop the values of
respect and understanding on a daily basis by learning about one another as they
learn with one another. These values, knowledge and skills will enable our pupils
to be happy, balanced and positive contributors to our town, country and world.
Our school motto is, “We care, we share, we achieve. We learn together”, which
encapsulates our aim to help children achieve their very best within a stimulating,
caring and supportive environment.
Bangor Central Integrated Primary has the reputation of being a child-centred
school, where every pupil is given a wide range of opportunities to mature and
develop not only academically but also physically, socially, emotionally spiritually
and artistically. The excellent standard of education and pastoral care was
confirmed in our recent inspection report which can be read by following the
link on our school website at www.bangorcentral.com. However, no prospectus
can adequately convey the ethos and atmosphere of a school, so I would
encourage you to contact the school office to find out when our open day is or
to make an appointment to visit the school for yourself.
I look forward to meeting you and your child in the near future.
Peter Campbell
­Principal

We care, we share, we achieve.
We learn together.
Mission Statement
Integrated Ethos
In Bangor Central Integrated Primary
School we seek to provide a caring,
stimulating and happy environment for
each child where they can learn to the
very best of their ability.
We work in partnership with parents
to help children to realise their
potential, to celebrate their
achievements and to foster self-esteem.
We will endeavour to establish
an environment where children are
equipped for today and empowered
for tomorrow.
As an integrated primary school, we
provide a learning environment where
children from Catholic and Protestant
backgrounds, as well as those of other
faiths and none, can learn with, from
and about each other. Our school is
committed to the principles for
Integrated Education as outlined in the
Northern Ireland Council for
Integrated Education’s booklet.
Children from a Catholic background
can choose to prepare for the
sacraments in school time with one of
our teachers.
If a child lives with criticism,
He learns to condemn.
If a child lives with hostility,
He learns to fight.
If a child lives with ridicule,
He learns to be shy.
If he lives with shame,
He learns to feel guilty.
If a child lives with tolerance,
He learns to be patient.
If he lives with encouragement,
He learns confidence.
If a child lives with security,
He learns to have faith.
If a child lives with approval,
He learns to like himself.
If a child lives with acceptance
and friendship,
He learns to find love in the
world.
D. Law. Holte
Bangor Central Integrated Primary School 3

2
The Curriculum
We endeavour to provide a broad and
balanced curriculum which allows
each child to develop their full
potential. We aim to increase their
knowledge, understanding and skills
through an active, stimulating and
challenging learning environment.
The children experience the following
Areas­of­Learning:
Language and Literacy
Developing each child’s
communication skills through talking
and listening, reading and writing and
applying these skills across all Areas of
Learning.
Mathematics and
Numeracy
Focusing on acquiring and applying
mathematical knowledge, processes
and language across the curriculum.
The World Around Us
Exploring and developing the
children’s curiosity about the world
around them through science and
technology, geography and history.
The Arts
Promoting creativity and personal
expression through art and design,
drama and music.
Personal Development
and Mutual
Understanding
Building children’s self-esteem,
promoting their emotional and social
development and developing their
awareness of positive relationships
with others.
Children’s Progress
In order to ensure that every child is
achieving their full potential, children’s
progress is carefully and continually
monitored through teacher
observation, assessment activities,
standardised tests and end of Key
Stage assessments. Parents are kept
informed of their child’s progress
through twice yearly parent teacher
interviews and an end of year written
report. Parents can make an
appointment to see their child’s
teacher to further discuss any issues
relating to their child’s progress.
Assessment plays an integral part in
the learning and teaching process. It
allows us to monitor pupil progress
and ensure that all children achieve
their full potential. Assessment
activities are varied and range from
observation and discussion through to
more formal procedures. They assist
in the learning process by providing
opportunities to inform children,
parents and teachers about individual
progress and development needs. This
information enables teachers to
identify appropriate learning targets
and to ensure all children receive the
relevant support.
Special Educational
Needs
We aim to meet the specific individual
learning needs of all the children in
Bangor Central whether they are
achieving significantly beyond the rest
of their year group (Gifted and
Talented), experiencing learning
difficulties or accessing the curriculum
in a language that is not their first
language. Children’s progress is
closely monitored and, when
necessary, extra support is provided
to ensure that all pupils achieve their
full potential. In consultation with the
class teacher, some children may
receive additional input from the
Special Educational Needs
co-ordinator and her team and/or
relevant outside agencies.
Educational Visits
We are committed to promoting
educational visits throughout the
children’s time at Bangor Central as a
means of learning through first hand
experiences. Our Year 1 visit Belfast
Zoo, Pickie Park and the Heritage
Museum. All year groups arrange
various outings to increase
understanding and enjoyment of their
class topics. Our Year 6 residential
trip to Ardnabannon and Year 7 trip to
Edinburgh are the highlights of our
educational visits programme.
4

Extra Curricular
Activities
We offer a very extensive range of
after school activities for our pupils.
They are a vital part of school life and
enable children to develop a range of
skills and experience a diverse range
of opportunities. All teaching staff
participate in our after school
provision. We also offer additional
activities through external
organisations such as Debutots (Years
1–3), French Club (Years2-3), Jujitsu
(Years 4-7) and Homework Club
(Years 4-7).
Our­extra­curricular­programme­also
includes:
Football
Art
ICT
Gardening
Cycling Proficiency
Tennis
Hockey
Athletics
Dance
Gymnastics
Netball
Steel Band
Choir - Junior & Senior
Fun Runners
Ramblers
5

3 Home-School
Partnership
At Bangor Central we believe that a
supportive and positive partnership
between home and school is key to
the development of children. Parents
are encouraged to play an active role
in their child’s education through
attending relevant meetings including
parent teacher interviews in October
and February.
Our Home Learning Programme in
the Foundation Stage gives parents
opportunities to invest in their child’s
learning through relevant activities. As
children progress through the school,
regular differentiated homework
encourages parents to be involved in
supporting their child’s learning. The
Homework Policy can be found on
the school website.
Pastoral Care
We aim to create a safe, secure and
affirmative learning environment.
Teachers take responsibility for the
welfare of the children in their care
and are committed to building
positive relationships with their pupils.
The children’s opinions are valued and
they are given a voice through the
School and Eco Councils. We have a
positive approach to discipline,
expecting pupils to behave in a
responsible manner by showing
consideration, courtesy and respect
for other people and property at all
times. Classroom rules are agreed
between the children and their
teacher and appropriate behaviour is
rewarded. Whole school positive
behaviour reward systems run
throughout the year. If problems do
arise, the Discipline Policy is
implemented. Thus, the school’s
motto, ‘We care, we share, we achieve,
we learn together’, becomes a reality.
Pastoral Care at Bangor Central
Integrated Primary School includes a
number of significant features:
• A School Council featuring
representatives from Year 4-7
pupils.
• A ‘Buddy’ system through which
Year 7 pupils work with Year 1-6
pupils in the playground at lunch
times.
• An Eco Council which has
representatives from every Year
4-7 class plays an important
role in ensuring that the school
continues to become more Eco
friendly. Their efforts were
rewarded with the school being
awarded the ‘Green Flag’, which
recognised the hard work of pupils
and staff in making Bangor Central
more Eco friendly.
• A thriving ‘House System’ which
includes a number of
sporting and non-sporting activities.
6

Policies
The following policies are available on
our website or from the school office:
• Child Protection
(including anti-bullying)
• Positive Behaviour
(incorporating discipline)
• Drugs/Substance abuse
• Care and Welfare
• E-safety
Parent Teacher Association
Our Parent Teacher Association was
formed in 1988 and has continued to
grow in strength and numbers,
providing a valuable bond between
staff, parents and pupils. The PTA has
proved to be successful in raising funds
for the school and organising social
events. Significant PTA projects have
included the provision of a computer
suite and the purchase of a school
mini-bus. All parents are automatically
members of the PTA and are
encouraged to become involved in our
family centred school.
Bangor Central Integrated Primary School 7

4
School Facilities
8
We have continued to develop and
improve the facilities within the
classrooms and the school. Recent
improvements have included a major
refurbishment of our multi-use
assembly hall as well as fitting double
glazed windows throughout the
school. In addition we have a spacious
new dining room which has provided
us with an excellent dining facility and
a multi-purpose room with interactive
whiteboard.
Adjacent to the dining room we have
developed an extensive area of land
which includes a football pitch and
area for outdoor play used by our
younger pupils.
We have also recently refurbished and
restocked our school library which is
regularly used by our pupils.
Community Links
Our school is located within walking
distance of all the town amenities
including the Aurora Leisure
Complex, Bangor Castle, North
Down Museum, Bangor Marina,
parklands and commerce. We have
excellent partnerships with our
closest neighbours in Bangor Central
Nursery, Bangor Academy, Glenlola
Collegiate and South Eastern Regional
College. We also have a very
successful partnership with the staff
and pupils in St Comgall’s Primary
School and often work together on
joint projects. We are a school in the
heart of the community and maximise
all the opportunities for our pupils to
contribute to the community and for
the community to enrich and enhance
our pupils’ lives.
Sports
At Bangor Central we are very proud
of the breadth of sporting
opportunities offered to so many
children. Our physical education
programme, led by our specialist PE
teacher, provides a broad and
balanced range of experiences such as
games, gymnastics, dance, swimming
and athletics. We are very fortunate
that our central location allows us to
fully utilise the excellent local sporting
facilities such as Aurora Leisure
Centre, Ward Park and Bangor
Academy.
Music
Bangor Central has a strong tradition
of developing the musical abilities of
all our children. From Year 1, children
are encouraged to express themselves
through song and by playing simple
instruments. From Year 4, every child
learns to play the recorder. The
children also have the opportunity to
join the junior or senior choirs, school
band and in Year 7, the steel band.
Our steel band is unique in Northern
Ireland and has performed at some
prestigious venues including playing
for the Queen at the Balmoral Show.
Children can also choose to learn the
violin, cello, trumpet, trombone and
guitar.

Bangor Central Integrated Primary School 9

5 Admissions and
Year 1 Induction
10
The school will admit children of
compulsory school age using the
current admissions criteria.
Applications for Year 1 places are
normally submitted in January.
Further information on the school’s
admissions criteria and key dates is
outlined on the enclosed insert and
on the school’s website.
Year 1 Induction
From the beginning of their school life
in Bangor Central we want children to
feel happy, secure, cared for and
important members of our school
family. In order to ensure a smooth
transition, children are invited to
come to school for an afternoon in
June to participate in play activities
and to meet their teacher and other
members of their class. The
Foundation Stage teachers also liaise
with our nursery and playgroup
partners.
Over the summer we encourage
parents to talk to their children about
school in a positive way and complete
suggested school related activities
with them. This is an exciting and
important stage of your child’s life and
we would encourage you to enjoy it
together. In August/September
children will come to school for an
afternoon as part of a small group and
then join others from their class the
next morning. This allows the
teachers to spend time getting to
know each individual child. The
children will attend school in the
morning for the first month and will
then stay to 2pm.
The School Day
Children will be supervised in the
school playground from 8.40am each
day. The school bell rings at 8.50am
which is the start of the day. Children
line up in the playground where they
are collected by their teacher and
accompanied to the classroom.
8.50am School begins
10.20-10.35am Break time Y 1 to 3
10.45-11.00am Break time Y 4 to 7
12.00-12.45pm Lunch time Y 1-3
and Y 7
12.10-12.55pm Lunch time Y 4-6
2.00pm Y 1 and Y 2 finish
Y 3 finish every
Tues, Thurs & Fri
3.00pm Y 3 finish every
Mon & Wed
3.00pm Y 4-7 classes finish
Punctuality
Early bed times are important during
the week and on Sunday evening. This
prepares your child both physically
and mentally for the day’s activities.
Please ensure that your child is on
time every morning and collected
promptly every afternoon.

Bangor Central Integrated Primary School 11

6
General Information
School Uniform
Boys
Grey or white shirt
White polo shirt with School Logo
(Summer term)
Grey trousers (long or short)
Navy v-neck jumper or sweatshirt
with School Logo
School tie
Grey socks
Black school shoes
Girls
White blouse
Grey skirt or pinafore
Navy v-neck jumper, sweatshirt or
Cardigan with School Logo
School tie
Grey or white socks or navy blue
tights
Black school s hoes
Navy gingham dress (Summer term)
PE Clothing
Navy tracksuit bottoms with School
Logo
White polo shirt with School Logo
Black PE shoes
The colours in our school uniform are
representative of Bangor.
Blue - the sea
Green - the parklands
Yellow - the sand
The mythical sea-horse is our logo - it
is part horse and part sea-horse. The
horse represents strength and
intelligence, the sea-horse represents
Bangor Central’s location close to the
sea.
Staff
In addition to the Principal, there are
21 full-time class teachers plus a
Special Educational Needs
Co-ordinator and two learning
support staff. There are currently
specialist support teachers for PE and
Maths. A skilled and dedicated team
of classroom assistants, supervisory
assistants, school secretaries,
caretaker, cleaners and school meals
staff all work together for the good of
the pupils.
Education Authority
The school is under the control of the
Education Authority. For further
information visit their website at
eani.org.uk.
12

Board of Governors
The Board of Governors consists of
13 people who represent parents, local
churches and the community, teachers
and the Education Authority. They
have overall responsibility for the
management of the school including
staffing, finance and admissions.
Charges and Remissions
A copy of our Charges and Remissions
policy is available from the office or
can be viewed on the school website:
www.bangorcentral.com
If the matter is unresolved at this stage
parents can contact the Principal, or if
they still have concerns, they may
contact the Chairman of the Board of
Governors in writing.
If parents have any concerns regarding
Child Protection they may approach
any of the above or our designated
teachers for child protection.
Concerns and Complaints
As a caring school we take all
concerns and complaints seriously.
Parents can speak to their child’s class
teacher regarding any issues
concerning their child. If parents feel
that the problem has not been
resolved satisfactorily they can
contact: Miss W. Jenkins Head of
Foundation Stage (Years 1-2), Miss R.
Armstrong Head of Key Stage 1 (Years
3-4) or Mr S. Gavin Vice Principal and
Head of Key Stage 2 (Years 5-7).
Bangor Central Integrated Primary School 13

We care, we share, we achieve.
We learn together.
Bangor Central Integrated Primary School
Principal: Mr P. R. Campbell
6 Castle Park Road
Bangor, Co.Down
BT20 4TF
t: 028 9146 0513
f: 028 9146 8915
e: info@bangorcentral.com
www.bangorcentral.com
15

We care, we share, we achieve.
We learn together.
Bangor Central Integrated Primary School
Principal: Mr P. R. Campbell
6 Castle Park Road
Bangor, Co.Down
BT20 4TF
t: 028 9146 0513
f: 028 9146 8915
e: info@bangorcentral.com
www.bangorcentral.com
design / photography / print / williamstudio / 028 9756 1581