Frequently asked questions asked by parents looking for the best schools near Ulidia Integrated College

How do I find out what schools are available around Carrickfergus? 

There are some frighteningly frank websites for you to choose from. The Government one is https://www.gov.uk/school-performance-tables . You simply enter your location, perhaps Carrickfergus, or another location and select primary schools or secondary schools. All the information parents need all there in percentages!

You could also try the paid for websites like www.schoolguide.co.uk . This one is quite cheap and you can pay monthly.

This is of course just the very first stage in selecting a school. You will to need see the videos on this page before even thinking of visiting the shortlist of schools on your list.

How do I find the state school catchment area in or around Ulidia Integrated College? 
If you just need to know your school catchment area try www.admissionsday.co.uk .If you are looking for exhaustive information on the schools as well go to www.goodschoolsguide.co.uk

How do I find out how good a school is?
You will absolutely have to visit the school. However, do look at the video below. For armed is to be fore warned!

Nursery Schools

What's the difference between nursery and preschool? 
Preschools usually work around a formal curriculum and trained teachers - making them a little more expensive! Nursery schools are usually a more relaxed learning environment and more flexible enrolment terms. They are also cheaper and vary greatly.

What age is a preschooler? Ages up to 4 is considered preschooler with toddlers are 1 - 3 year old bracket. Basically 4-year-old are not 'toddling' around any more and so are no longer toddlers!

What does preschool mean? A preschool, or nursery school, is a pre-primary school, or play school for early childhood education. Preschool is for children before they begin compulsory education at primary school. 

Is Pre K considered preschool? Pre K schools are pre-kindergartens.

This page should help you answer these school finding questions!

Creches

Local Area Creches and Day Nurseries for BT38
Click also to find: Childcare Services, Nursery Schools, After School Care

PreSchools and Playgroups for Carrickfergus

Sunnylands Nursery School

Sunnylands Ave, Carrickfergus BT38 8JT, UK – 028 9336 5739

Absolutely amazing nursery school

Greengables Preschool

Thomas St, Carrickfergus BT38 8AL, UK – 028 9336 0928

My son did a year here before school, he absolutely loved it! The leaders are brilliant. Kind and caring and helpful when your child is having an off day! They have an outside play area, with plenty of stuff to entertain them. It's inside Carrickfergus Central Primary school so it's great if you child is going to Central as they are already used to the environment and have seen the staff on a regular basis.

I sent both my daughters here and they loved it! All the leaders were so kind and just adore all the kids. I have never felt so at ease when leaving my children with other people. Fantastic nursery all round and would highly recommend to everybody.

Victoria Primary School

Coronation Road, Carrickfergus BT38 7EZ, UK – 028 9335 1781

Victoria Primary is a great place to learn!

After School Care

Sullatober Day Care

20 Marshallstown Rd, Carrickfergus BT38 9DE, UK – 028 9336 5101

Nice staff

Important Mini People

75 Woodburn Rd, Carrickfergus BT38 8ZN, UK – 028 9336 5225

Oasis Dental Care

Antrim St, Carrickfergus BT38 8AD, UK

The flight flew from RAF Brize Norton on 24th April 2024 with 500 cuddly giraffes on board to raise money and awareness for Great Ormond Street Hospital in memory of Louise Conway who died at just nine years old of leukaemia in 2013. Queen Ethelburga's Collegiate donated 50% of the production costs on behalf of the junior school, Chapter House, and our Forces community across campus - which is about 25% of our total student population.

For more information see:

Choosing a school around Carrickfergus. This is an Australian video but has some really good Tips!

Carrickfergus Independent Schools - Prep & Secondary - for Carrickfergus

Independent Schools for Carrickfergus - private preparatory and senior schools. Prep schools age 8 yrs to 11yrs or 13 yrs. Senior schools age 11yrs or 13 yrs to 18yrs. Some independent schools have a pre-prep department (age 3 to 8yrs) as well as prep and senior schools. Independent schools can be co-educational or single sex.

Best Carrickfergus Secondary Schools -

Downshire School

Downshire Rd, Carrickfergus BT38 7DA, UK – 028 9336 4334

I went here it wasn't too bad but it wasn't fun

Carrickfergus Grammar School

120 North Rd, Carrickfergus BT38 7RA, UK – 028 9336 3615

👍

Carrickfergus College

110 North Rd, Carrickfergus BT38 7QX, UK – 028 9336 2347

Best school ever thankfully I don't have to leave it for 5 more years

Independent Schools

Carrickfergus Central Primary School

21 Thomas St, Carrickfergus BT38 8AL, UK – 028 9335 1272

Great school

Woodlawn Primary School

2 Woodburn Ave, Carrickfergus BT38 8EZ, UK – 028 9335 1923

I went to this primary school and it is the best u can get so don't dis wps 👍🏻👌🏼

Went here a long time ago

St Nicholas Primary School

8 Minorca Dr, Carrickfergus BT38 8AU, UK – 028 9335 1149

Best school in Carrick without a doubt

Best school around!!!!

Local Authority Schools - Primary & Secondary Schools

Local Authority primary and secondary schools for BT38 7JL . LEA primary schools age 4yrs (the year in which a child is 5) to 11yrs. Secondary schools age 11yrs to 16yrs or 18 yrs. Each school has a local catchment area.

Primary Schools

Sunnylands Primary School

Sunnylands Ave, Carrickfergus BT38 8JJ, UK – 028 9336 2333

Great school all my Children and grandchildren went here

Best school in Carrickfergus

Eden Primary School

Larne Rd, Carrickfergus BT38 7NL, UK – 028 9335 1958

A wonderful school with around 250 pupils. The staff are excellent and care about the kids not just their educational ability.

Very good

Carrickfergus Model Primary School

4 Belfast Rd, Carrickfergus BT38 8BU, UK – 028 9335 1560

Ofsted is the Office for Standards in Education, Children’s Services and Skills. Ofsted reports directly to Parliament and is independent and impartial, inspecting and regulating services which care for children and young people, and those providing education and skills for learners of all ages.

Click for the full database of OFSTED's inspection reports - check out schools in BT38 or anywhere in the country.
GetTheRightSchool was formed to offer a unique reference point on getting your child into the school of your choice. The web site covers all you need to about education choices with tips and a guide to the application process and issues that could impact your child's school day, from dealing with bullying, to money issues, to how to work out school catchment areas when they move schools.
Independent Schools Council Website - has a search facility: by county, school or postcode. The ISC brings together eight associations of independent schools, their heads, bursars and governors and represents over 1,200 independent schools in the UK and overseas.
Schools Web Directory - lists all UK local education authorities with a click-through to their websites. Each Local Authority has lists of its own schools and details of application procedures.
Contact details & Websites of 4,065 Schools in Ireland - search by map or county list
Lists more than 31,000 UK state and independent schools and colleges, including over 26,000 UK School, College and University Websites. Search for schools or search for educational establishments anywhere in the UK by geographical county, postcode, name or LEA.

BBC Live Educational News

Dyslexia support centres
Click also to find: Education Agencies & Authorities, Schools - Independent & Preparatory
Special schools for Carrickfergus for moderate to severe learning difficulties, ADHD, Autism, Physical impairment, complex health needs, communication difficulties, dyspraxia and other special needs.

Special Needs Schools around you

Downshire School

Downshire Rd, Carrickfergus BT38 7DA, UK – 028 9336 4334

I went here it wasn't too bad but it wasn't fun

Website with facility to search for many different kinds of special needs schools and links to lots of support groups.  Find a special needs school near Carrickfergus or search the website for special schools throughout the UK

Adult Education Centres for BT38 - Language Tuition

Adult Education Centres for Carrickfergus which may run evening or daytime language classes

Adult Education

Carrickfergus Model Primary School

4 Belfast Rd, Carrickfergus BT38 8BU, UK – 028 9335 1560

Model Primary School

Carrickfergus BT38 8DA, UK – 028 9335 1560

Language Schools

Carrickfergus Grammar School

120 North Rd, Carrickfergus BT38 7RA, UK – 028 9336 3615

👍

Language Schools for Carrickfergus

Language schools for BT38. Also consider Adult Education Centres which might run evening language classes

Private Tutors for Carrickfergus

Private Tuition for BT38
Click also to find: Language Schools, Translators & Interpreters

Private Tutors

Julie's Tutoring Service

67 Sunnylands Dr, Carrickfergus BT38 8JF, UK – 07592 068014