Archive:Garvagh Primary School

Garvagh Primary School is a small rural school situated in the town of Garvagh. In the 1930s, 1940's and 1950's there were two public schools in Garvagh. Garvagh Public Elementary School, which was the Presbyterian school, was at the Southerly end of the town. Garvagh Youth Club now occupies the premises.

The second school, which was known as the Canning Public Elementary School, was the Church of Ireland school, and was positioned where the Christian Workers Union Hall now stands.

In 1947 an Education Act was passed, changing education in Northern Ireland. Public Elementary schools were to be called Primary Schools, with pupils transferring at 11+ to Intermediate schools, Grammar schools, and Technical schools. This change took some time, as schools had to be planned and built. Garvagh Intermediate school opened in 1953. The primary school population fell as a result. Both primary schools continued to operate for some time, but eventually the Canning Primary School closed. Primary Education continued in Garvagh Primary School, but as housing development took place, the school could not cope with the numbers. Temporary accommodation was given in Garvagh Orange Hall.

In the grounds of Garvagh Intermediate School was the school, and Garvagh House, the former house of the Canning Family. In Garvagh House were flats for single female teachers, and some classrooms. The house had fallen into disrepair over the years, suffering from wet and dry rot, and vermin infestation. County Londonderry Education Committee decided to demolish Garvagh House and to build a new primary school on its site. This was duly done and Garvagh Primary School opened in 1965.

But further change was in store. In the early seventies, in education circles, ROSLA was constantly mentioned. (Raising of School Leaving Age). This meant that Garvagh Intermediate school numbers would rise without adequate building to house the extra pupils. County Londonderry Education Committee decided that the existing primary school would become part of the intermediate school, and a new primary school would be built.

And so in April 1973, the new Garvagh Primary School opened. It was built on Ashe's Meadow. Where the gates are, was the site of the old cinema (AVON - which stood for Allies Victory over Nazis). The school was of a new design, with three wings. Each wing consisted of three classrooms, lavatories and an open area. Apart from the classroom for P1, the classrooms had no doors. This was referred to as open plan.