Gaelscoil an Lonnáin in west Belfast is planning for expansion under its principal of 18 months, Mícheál Ó Conghaile. The Irish-medium primary school currently has 38 pupils in the primary school and 17 across nursery and reception.

Ó Conghaile, who joined from Bunscoil Bheann Mhadagáin, said he is enjoying the role and wants to create a nurturing environment. He cited his previous experience in special educational needs as valuable.

The school is located in a former St Finian's Primary School building on the lower Falls Road. Ó Conghaile said the school is small but has space to grow, and he wants to raise standards and attract more families.

He is working with the Department of Education on inspection arrangements and said progress is good. The school is active in Gaelscoileanna events.

Ó Conghaile emphasised support for pupils with additional educational needs. He said the school is thinking about how to help pupils with learning challenges, and that parents and teacher training are crucial.

Pupils learn in composite classes, with foundation stage, key stage one and key stage two together. Ó Conghaile said this gives pupils a better learning experience due to smaller class sizes and more teacher time.

Like many Irish-medium schools, space is a challenge. While there is room for more pupils now, Ó Conghaile has a vision for a new site in the future. He noted possible buildings behind the current school.

He said the school has a nurturing, positive, hopeful and diligent approach, with a vision of a community learning, developing and growing.