Braniel Nursery and Primary School is situated on a large, attractive site on the Lower Braniel Road in the Castlereagh area of Belfast, serving the immediate area and the wider area of Castlereagh, including Gilnahirk, Dundonald much further afield. The school has been serving the community since 1959.
The Nursery, attached to the school, is situated on a large attractive site on the Lower Braniel Road. The Nursery Unit serves the immediate area and the wider area of Castlereagh, including Gilnahirk and Dundonald.
The Nursery (which has two classrooms) is bright and spacious. It is well resourced and equipped. The Nursery has two separate Nursery Areas each with its own wash-room, which have been completely refurbished, and cloakroom facilities specifically designed for children of nursery age. It also comprises two quiet rooms, a fully functioning kitchen and utility room.
The large indoor play area with safety surface has outdoor access to grassed areas, and provides opportunities for all pupils to engage in physical play on a daily basis, irrespective of poor weather conditions. Nursery staff ensure these are fully utilised for outside activities, including the large, enclosed grassy, play area. We enjoy a large tree lined outdoor play area, with secure fencing in which the children have the opportunity to explore the outdoors, create gardening experiences and play on the new outdoor play equipment, as well as developing aspects of their topic work.
The current total enrolment is 26 full-time and 52 part-time pupils, with all the full-time pupils staying for a cooked school meal after they have fully settled into Nursery life. The present staffing is 2 Nursery Teachers supported by 2 Nursery Assistants. With the increased demand for nursery provision, the school is delighted to be able to offer full-time as well as part-time places.
In both the Nursery and School, we aim to secure an environment in which pupils can learn, and achieve their full potential, through effective learning and teaching. The current total enrolment is 391 pupils, 78 of whom attend an integral nursery unit. The present staffing consists of the Principal, Vice Principal, 16 teachers, and 1 part-time Learning Support Teacher, 11 Classroom Assistants and 2 Nursery Assistants with a wide range of expertise and talents. The Administrative Staff, Classroom Assistants, Buildings Supervisor, Cleaners and Catering Staff works in a supportive and collaborative role to ensure that the aims of the school are met.
The well maintained accommodation comprises 18 networked classrooms and a multi-purpose Assembly/PE/Dining Hall. 13 of the rooms are used as class bases while the remaining rooms have been developed as an Interactive Computer Suite, Library (with 1300 new books and ICT facilities including an Interactive Whiteboard), Learning Support Room, Maths Room and Board Room to facilitate training, etc. A new extension comprising large stage, changing-rooms, disabled toilet and stores has been added.
The considerations and needs of the child is paramount within the school community and we are committed to ensuring a safe, harmonious environment in which the child is supported physically, emotionally, spiritually, intellectually and socially. Our aim is to ensure that parents, pupils, teachers and support staff have ownership and, responsibility for the positive ethos created within our environment, whilst recognising that they have a vital role to play in maintaining it. We aim to establish an environment where the worth and value of each child is respected, children learn mutual self-respect, have a sense of belonging, and where children are equipped for today and empowered for tomorrow.