Welcome to the 'World Around Us' at Mill Strand Integrated School & Nursery

Children are naturally curious and often ask profound questions about themselves and the nature of the world around us.  The purpose of this area of learning is to help children explore and find age appropriate answers to some of these big questions from the perspectives of geography, history and science and technology.

The purpose of learning about The World Around Us within the Northern Ireland Curriculum is to provide opportunities for children to develop:

• self-confidence and self esteem in expressing and sharing their thoughts and ideas and developing an appreciation of the beauty and wonder of the world;
• an awareness of themselves and their place in the world, as well as of other places, cultures and the environment;
• an awareness of Information and Communication Technology and its impact on society and the world around them.

As part of our work in promoting the World Around Us, Outdoor Learning and Science in the community, we have developed strong links and on-going working relationships with a wide variety of local organisations including:
Under Construction

The Outdoor Classroom

At Mill Strand pupils don't only learn in the classroom they learn also outdoors, subjects including World Around Us, Numeracy, Science, Literacy and more!!!

Everyday in school there is at least one class taking their class outdoors to explore their surroundings and using it to develop their learning within these subjects and also mixing classes and learning from each other..

The pupils are very enthusiastic and love to explore their surroundings and we love to encourage this at Mill Strand!!!


“Children learn best through their everyday experiences  with the people they love and trust, and when the learning is fun the best place for these experiences is outdoors, in the natural world.”

Promoting Excellence In Science

For the last five years, Mill Strand Integrated School, in Portrush has developed an international reputation for being at the forefront of the development of science in the primary and nursery classroom. As a UK finalist in the Rolls Royce Awards, the whole school worked on exploring our marine environment as a coastal school with our project "What's in the Water?"

Environmental Awareness

The school is currently a recipient of no fewer than three 'Green Flag' Awards and is working towards recognition for on-going environmental work and an unprecedented fourth Green Flag!!!!

The school's work in this area began initially in the Nursery, where pupils and staff worked together to create an environmentally friendly setting.  The pupils and staff built a poly tunnel to extend its ongoing seed to plate project work, enabling pupils to plant and nurture fruit and vegetables as well as develop the Nursery Garden and wildlife habitats.

This work then extended to the whole school, and over the last six years, Mill Strand has been at the forefront of environmental science, developing the outdoor classroom and facilitating staff training.

Our Place in the World, Shared Heritage and Cultures & Celebrating Difference

In recent years been involved in National Lottery Heritage Fund work, exploring our links and shared heritage with the Western Isles of Scotland and creating a learning resource about Dunluce Castle.

Promoting Excellence - The Facilitation of Teacher Training

National Science Learning Centre
Dissemination of Good Practice
Creative Change