Information for Parents
The Revised Northern Ireland Curriculum
From Year 8-10 pupils will follow compulsory programmes of study in a range of subject areas.
Year 8-14 have ready access to well-developed PSHE and Careers Guidance programmes. Teachers have the assistance of tutors from the School of Music, a Library Assistant, French and Spanish language assistants, and Careers Officers from the Department of Education and Learning. Educational visits, Enterprise Education and Work Experience ensure that all girls gain some direct knowledge of the world of work.
Options for Key Stage 4
The Northern Ireland Curriculum emphasises the need for students to receive a broad and balanced curriculum and to acquire literacy and numeracy skills as well as employability skills.
At KS4 pupils are organised into 3 groups on the basis of the following criteria:
- Attainment in Year 10
- Attitude to work in Year 10
- Attendance in Year 10
- An appropriate curriculum for each pupil
- Choice of optional subjects
At KS4 students have a choice of subjects. However, the following are core subjects that pupils must study:
- English
- Maths
- Science (Group 1 only)
- ICT (Group 2 only)
Each pupil follows a non-examination course in each of the following:
- Religious Studies
- Careers
- Physical Education
- Personal, Social & Health Education
Students have a remaining 3 optional subjects to choose from. However, due to timetabling constraints and insufficient numbers of pupils choosing particular subjects, it cannot be guaranteed that all pupils’ requests will be satisfied.
Post 16 Courses
AS & A2 LEVEL GCE - Students taking 'A' level GCE examinations follow a two year course, AS level in Year 13 and A2 in Year 14. To offer as wide and varied an academic and vocational programme as possible, a link operates between the Sixth Forms of the Girls’ and Boys’ Model. This arrangement has been working successfully for over 20 years.
Advanced Vocational Certificate in Education - Courses in IT and Performing Arts.
National Vocational Qualification in Business & Administration (with work placement)
CACHE Childcare course (with work placement);1 Year Certificate, 2 Year Diploma.
Enrichment courses are also offered in the Sixth Form including ICT (Microsoft Academy), CLAIT, etwinning, Careers, Religious Studies, PE and Personal Effectiveness
