Business Details
Your Trusted Primary School in Derry
Long Tower Primary School has been nurturing young minds for over a century. Our institution, rooted in a Catholic ethos, delivers the Northern Ireland Curriculum with excellence, fostering a love of learning and high standards of discipline. We prioritise holistic development through programmes like PATHS and our School of Sanctuary status, which cultivate resilience and respect. Our dedicated staff and supportive community create a family-like environment where every child feels valued.Recent ETI inspections confirmed our outstanding performance, highlighting exceptional student behaviour and motivation. As Principal, I am proud to lead a school where tradition meets innovation, ensuring each child achieves their full potential.
Services
Nursery Education
Primary Education
SEN Support
Child Protection
Eco Council
Highlights and features
- We maintain an outstanding Ofsted rating with excellent student behaviour and engagement
- Our PATHS programme develops emotional resilience and social skills
- We hold School of Sanctuary status for inclusive community values
- Experienced staff deliver the Northern Ireland Curriculum to the highest standards
- Regular ETI inspections confirm our educational excellence
Associations and certifications
- School of Sanctuary
- Rights Respecting School
What people say
Outstanding in all areas
Excellent behaviour
Highly motivated to learn
Welcoming environment
Caring staff
Services
Nursery Education
Our nursery programme provides foundational learning for 3-4 year olds through play-based activities. Qualified staff create developmentally appropriate experiences that build social skills and early literacy/numeracy. The curriculum aligns with statutory requirements while maintaining flexibility for individual needs.
Primary Education
We deliver the Northern Ireland Curriculum for ages 5-11 across eight learning areas. Differentiated instruction ensures all pupils achieve their potential through structured lessons and cross-curricular projects. Regular assessments track progress while maintaining a focus on holistic development.
SEN Support
Our dedicated SEN team provides tailored support for children with additional learning needs. Individual Education Plans (IEPs) are developed in partnership with parents and external specialists. We maintain specialist resources to ensure full curriculum access for all pupils.
Child Protection
We maintain rigorous child protection protocols following statutory guidelines. All staff receive regular safeguarding training with designated officers available for concerns. Our policies prioritise pupil welfare while maintaining appropriate communication with families.
Eco Council
Student-led Eco Council promotes sustainability through practical initiatives. Children develop leadership skills while implementing recycling programmes, energy conservation measures and biodiversity projects. This fosters environmental stewardship and community engagement.
People
Mrs Claire Doherty
Principal
Mrs Doherty leads Long Tower Primary with over 20 years' experience in primary education. She champions inclusive learning and community partnership, maintaining strong links with local organisations. Her leadership has sustained the school's outstanding inspection status.
Questions
What educational stages do you cover?
We provide nursery education for 3-4 year olds and primary education for children aged 5-11 (Primary 1 to Primary 7).
Are you an inclusive school?
Yes, we hold School of Sanctuary status and have specialist SEN resources to support diverse learning needs within our mainstream setting.
How do you support pupil wellbeing?
Our PATHS programme develops emotional literacy and resilience. We also have dedicated child protection officers and regular mental health awareness initiatives.
What are your inspection results?
We were graded outstanding in all areas by the Education and Training Inspectorate, with particular praise for pupil behaviour and learning motivation.
How can parents get involved?
We encourage family participation through regular newsletters, parent-teacher meetings, and community events like our Big Bedtime Read programme.
