Derrychrin Primary School is situated in the parish of Ballinderry, approximately three miles from Coagh, near the western shores of Lough Neagh.

The current school building was built in 1964 and was renovated in 2002 when office accommodation and a staff room were added. The school has 5 classrooms in the main building, an Accelerated Reading library and a spacious dining room / sports hall and two mobile classrooms with an outside toilet block. The school has developed a state of the art multi purpose sports pitch on the school site and this is used extensively during the school day and for after school sports activities. The grounds outside the school are extensive and give panoramic views of the surrounding countryside. Our school has a “Peaceful Playground” area where the children can sit at the picnic tables and admire the beautiful raised flower beds. Our school grounds include a nature area, complete with a pond area and the surrounding ground for natural habitats. The accommodation and facilities provide a welcoming, pleasant and stimulating environment.

Derrychrin P.S. provides a curriculum designed to meet the requirements of the Northern Ireland Revised Curriculum and to give a broad and balanced education to all children with experiences suitable to their current stages of development.

The school has a wide range of Pastoral Care policies and all staff members are fully committed to ensure that these policies are being implemented throughout the school. Derrychrin P.S. is committed to the use of positive approaches in maintaining effective school discipline and creating a climate where positive behaviour is encouraged at all times and where all children feel secure and equally valued. The school’s involvement in the Personal Development and Mutual Understanding Programme reflects this. Strategies are in place to ensure that pupils develop relevant personal and social skills and understanding which help them to respond appropriately to situations affecting their well-being. The school is committed to promoting a healthy lifestyle by providing the pupils with toast at break time and after-schools sports activities, funded through the Extended Schools Initiative. Child Protection procedures are in line with statutory requirements and all staff have attended relevant training this year.

The school has established strong links with the local and wider community – home/school links, links with other schools in the parish and with the post-primary schools, the local Catholic Church and other churches in the community, the local GAA club – Ballinderry Shamrocks, Cookstown District Council. As part of the Extended Schools Programme, Derrychrin PS work closely with St Peter’s PS, Moortown and St. Patrick’s PS, Mullinahoe and have collaborated in various projects and staff training.