Enrolment now open for vibrant Gaelscoil na gCrann

A BEAUTIFUL, bright brand-new build, first class teaching in Irish, and friendly staff await all Year One and nursery pupils hoping to attend the vibrant Gaelscoil & Naíscoil na gCrann this September.

Based on the Drumnakilly Road, Killyclogher, the Irish Medium school features a state-of-the-art £3.4million building, and embraces seven spacious classrooms, a nursery unit, a fantastic hall and computer room, and a kitchen, which allows for healthy meals to be cooked on-site.

The gaelscoil also proudly boasts large tarmac and grass areas for play, excellent car parking facilities, a lovely library for young minds to unwind with stories that will enrich and ignite their imaginations, and a sensory room which can be used by all pupils.

Welcoming all prospective primary ones and nursery school students, school principal, Deirdre Nic Cionnaith said that the new build, constructed by Woodvale Construction, is proof that Irish Medium education is going from strength-to-strength.

“Our school is just beautiful,” she said. “The children have been mesmerised by just how much space they have to learn and play, and they are so happy here.

“The new build is a dream come true for all of us, and testament to just how important bi-lingual schools are to the Department of Education, and indeed, the area. We are one of the fastest-growing Gaelscoils west of the Bann.”

When the bilingual school first opened to the public in 2006, it had just 30 pupils on the register. But fast-forward to 2021, and that total now stands at 190 children from right across the Omagh area, all of whom are being educated in Irish.

Indeed, children will be completely immersed in Irish, until they reach Year Three. Then, the pupils are formally introduced to English, and a large emphasis is placed on perfecting the language until primary seven. Children are also taught French and Spanish.

“Our children excel in all languages,” Deirdre said. “In fact, this is backed up by the results of standardised testing and evidence from the Department of Education, which shows that children in Irish Medium primary schools are outperforming their English-speaking counterparts in both English and Maths at the end of Key Stage 2.

“And while the majority of our parents don’t speak any Irish, parents still play a vital role in their child’s education at both home and school, and all of our homework is set in English. “We can’t wait to welcome to new faces to our vibrant, flourishing school next year.”

Gaelscoil na gCrann are also proud to offer wrap-around care, a breakfast club, and before the Covid-19 outbreak, hosted after-school clubs from Mondays to Thursdays, featuring recreational activities such as hurling, Gaelic, gymnastics, cross-country, yoga, and more.

• Enrolment is now open for the Irish Medium school, based in Killyclogher, with 26 nursery school places and 28 primary one places available.

While, due to the ongoing pandemic, there will be no open day this year, virtual  appointments with school principal, Deirdre Nic Cionnaith can be arranged for parents interested in enrolling their child or children at the school. A video tour of the school is also available.

Parents are encouraged to call Deirdre on 028 8225 2772 for more information. Visit www.eani.org.uk for an admissions criteria.