Principal's Welcome

Welcome to Fountain Primary School and Nursery Unit, where "we believe in each other."

Situated beside the historic city walls in the heart of Londonderry, Fountain Primary School was established in 1996 following the amalgamation of three local church schools: St. Columb's Cathedral School, First Derry and Carlisle Road. Our history, traditions and close connection with the local community continue to shape who we are today, and we are proud of the important role our school plays within the Fountain community.

One of the greatest strengths of Fountain Primary School is the close-knit community we have created. We believe every child should feel safe, valued and respected from the moment they walk through our doors. Because we know every child as an individual, we are able to recognise their unique strengths, understand their needs and support them to become confident, resilient learners who enjoy coming to school each day.

Our dedicated staff are passionate about creating exciting learning opportunities that inspire curiosity, encourage creativity and help every child achieve their full potential. We have high expectations for all our pupils while recognising that every child follows their own learning journey. By working closely with families, we create an environment where children are challenged, supported and celebrated every step of the way.

Our school values of Learning, Equality and Inclusion, Caring, Wellbeing, Safety, Family and Fun are at the heart of everything we do. They shape our classrooms, guide our relationships and help create a culture where children learn to care for themselves, for one another and for the wider community. We believe that happy children are successful learners, and we are committed to ensuring every child feels a genuine sense of belonging throughout their time with us.

We are proud to have been recognised as a School of Sanctuary for our commitment to welcoming newcomers and celebrating diversity within our community. Through our long-standing Shared Education partnership with Long Tower Primary School, spanning more than thirty years, our children have enjoyed opportunities to learn alongside one another, build lasting friendships and develop an appreciation of the diverse society in which they live. More recently, we were honoured to be recognised as a SEL Worldwide Model School, reflecting our commitment to promoting children's social and emotional wellbeing alongside academic success.

Above all, Fountain Primary School is a place where children are known, encouraged and believed in. We are proud of the warm, welcoming atmosphere that exists throughout our school and of the strong relationships we have built with generations of families. Together, we strive to ensure that every child leaves Fountain with happy memories, a love of learning and the confidence to embrace the opportunities that lie ahead.

Our aim is not simply to help children succeed during their time with us, but to equip them with the knowledge, skills, values and confidence they will need throughout their lives. We want every child to leave Fountain ready to embrace new opportunities, make a positive contribution to society and always remember that they were part of a school where we truly believed in each other.

Whether you are a prospective parent, a member of our local community or simply interested in learning more about our school, you are always assured of a warm welcome. We would be delighted to show you around, introduce you to our wonderful pupils and staff, and give you the opportunity to experience first-hand what makes Fountain Primary School and Nursery Unit such a special place to learn, grow and belong.

Stephen Torney
Principal