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Bligh's Lane Nursery School, Bligh’s Lane, Derry

History

Bligh's Lane Nursery has served the community in Creggan for more than 40 years. We have had many changes to the curriculum, staff and the actual building over that time.

From a small two room school the building got it's first major overhaul in1994. A significant piece of building work was carried out at the school in the form of what is known as ‘the energetic play area and indoor sandpit’. This provided both classrooms with an extended play area and allowed easy access for the children from one classroom to the other. In 2003 an extended and refurbished building was jointly funded by LRI and Western Education and Library Board. A total of £115K was allocated from LRI with an additional £49K funded from the Board’s Minor Works budget.

The works comprised of a new oil-fired heating system, new boiler house and store, new entrance foyer, new staff-room and new block play area in the former foyer. The school also has a new office/story room, extended covered play area, new safety surface in play area, new floor covering and ceilings throughout, refurbished children’s washrooms and double glazing throughout. The school has been completely redecorated and has an extended driveway and new fencing with landscaped gardens and a security system has been installed.

A second major development happened in 2018 when an extra two rooms, a more secure entrance, a re-fitted kitchen and staffroom and a refurbished office at the entrance to the school were added. The school now has a modern and revitalised face which is fitting to serve children of the 21st Century.

The first Principal of the school was Mrs Nuala Heaney who was supported by an assistant teacher, two nursery assistants, one cook and one caretaker/cleaner.  In 1996 Mrs Heaney was seconded to the Western Education and Library Board’s CASS service and Mrs Mary Gillen took up the seconded Principal’s post in the nursery school. Having returned to their own schools again at the end of that academic year, both Mrs Heaney and Mrs Gillen were successful in obtaining their respective new posts on a permanent basis in April 1999. This was Mrs Heaney’s twentieth year as Principal in the school.

Mrs Woods took over as Principal of the school in September 2015 upon Mrs Gillen's retirement. The school continues to move forward and strives to deliver the best possible pre-school education to all of the children who come into our care.