St Colm’s High School, Draperstown

An all-inclusive, co-educational post-primary school in a rural area of Mid Ulster, St Colm’s High is rooted in the community – its Cornstore Youth Club works closely with STEPS (a local suicide prevention charity), the Mens’ Shed and Ballinascreen Fold.  But, with an ever-increasing post-pandemic waiting list for school counsellor services, the Vice Principal sought funding towards the provisional of additional hours.  And, with almost 20% of pupils on the SEND register – many with literacy difficulties and/or autism, the VP emphasised the need for material associated with the School’s Nurture and Literacy Intervention Programmes.  The Committee agreed a grant of £1,000 from the NW Schools’ Fund to cover 26 hours of counselling services (to support pupils’ mental health and wellbeing) and the purchase of reading materials (to support dyslexic children’s literacy).