St Gen Prospectus 2012-13.pdf - St Genevieves

THE CURRICULUM
Curriculum Planning
In St Genevieve’s the welfare of the pupil is at the centre of all curriculum planning.
We wish to give each girl the opportunity to develop her potential to the full. While
aiming for high academic standards, we understand the importance of building selfconfidence
in our pupils so that they can put their achievements to good use and
capitalise on all the talents God has given them. The curriculum offered at KS3 is fully
informed by the statuatory requirements of the NI Curriculum. The curriculum offer
at KS4 meets the requirements of the Entitlement Framework. Together, they provide
a curriculum which is broad and balanced and which is intended to prepare each pupil
for adult life and life long learning.
Junior Curriculum - Key Stage 3
In the Junior School, Years 08-10, all pupils follow a common curriculum. All pupils
are given the opportunity to study French and Irish. In Year 08, pupils are placed into
one of three Attainment Bands based on analysis of performance data which includes
the Transfer Report from their Primary School and in-house testing. The function of
banding is to support differentiated learning. Each pupil’s progress is monitored by
their Head of Year and, on the basis of recommendations from Class Teachers/Form
Teachers and Heads of Departments, placement of pupils within the year group is
reviewed and may be changed. Table 1 below outlines the subjects currently studied
by pupils at Key Stage 3.
Senior Curriculum - Key Stage 4
The course of study offered to Years 11 and 12 (4 th and 5 th years) is delivered as six
core subjects and four optional subjects. The curriculum offer is a mix of General and
Applied Subjects that fully meets the Entitlement Framework
Table 1 below shows the core and optional subjects studied at this Key Stage.
Sixth Form Curriculum - Key Stage 5
At Sixth Form level, a consortium arrangement operates between St Genevieve’s High
School and De La Salle College, and this enables a wider range of General and Applied
subject choices to be offered to the students. Classes at this level are therefore often
co-educational. In Sixth Form, with the exception of a programme of Religious and
Personal Education, all subjects are optional. Option blocks are arranged to maximise
flexibility of choice for students, i.e. individual courses may be the result
“Realising Potential Together” | Page 15