The curriculum provided is designed to give pupils access to a broad curriculum, to empower them to do their best, and to develop them as individuals and as contributors towards society, the economy and the environment.
All pupils, including those with identified Special Educational Needs, are supported as much as is practicably possible to allow them to fulfil their potential. Additional support for pupils can include the school’s Mentoring Programme, Revision Support Classes for GCSE/A level pupils, support within the Pastoral System, etc.
The school week is divided into 50 periods of 30 minutes.
| Session | Time |
| Registration / Assembly | 08.55 – 09.10 |
| Period 1 | 09.15 – 09.45 |
| Period 2 | 09.45 – 10.15 |
| Period 3 | 10.15 – 10.45 |
| Period 4 | 10.45 – 11.15 |
| Break | 11.15 – 11.30 |
| Period 5 | 11.35 – 12.05 |
| Period 6 | 12.05 – 12.35 |
| Period 7 | 12.35 – 13.05 |
| Lunch | 13.05 – 13.45 |
| Period 8 | 13.50 – 14.20 |
| Period 9 | 14.20 – 14.50 |
| Period 10 | 14.50 – 15.20 |
The 2019-2020 curriculum, including period allocations at the various Key Stages are given in the following tables. The school’s curriculum is regularly reviewed and updated to ensure it meets the needs of pupils in preparing them for examinations, future education and employment.
Key Stage 3
At Key Stage 3 (Years 8 – 10), the school provides a broad and balanced curriculum which meets the statutory requirements of the Education Order 2006, including Learning for Life & Work (incorporating Home Economics, Personal Development, Local & Global Citizenship and Education for Employability), Skills & Capabilities (incorporating Communication, Using Mathematics, ICT, Thinking Skills & Personal Capabilities) and the General Learning Areas which take up most of the pupils’ time.
| Subject | Year 8 | Year 9 | Year 10 |
| English | 7 | 7 | 6 |
| Mathematics | 7 | 7 | 6 |
| Geography | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| History | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Religious Education | 2 | 2 | 3 |
| French | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Spanish | 2 | 4 | 3 |
| Art & Design | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Music | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Home Economics | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Technology & Design | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Biology | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Chemistry | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Physics | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| ICT | 2 | – | 2 |
| LLW (Citizenship) | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| LLW (Employability) | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| LLW (Personal Development) | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Physical Education | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Games | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Total | 50 | 50 | 50 |
Key Stage 4 (GCSE)
At Key Stage 4 (Years 11 &12), there is greater flexibility and the school provides a number of options to meet the individual needs of pupils. All pupils will study a balanced core curriculum that meets the requirements of the Education Order 2006, including 5 or 6 GCSE subjects in the Core Curriculum and 4 GCSE Optional Subjects, as outlined below:
Core Curriculum
Pupils study Learning for Life and Work (comprising Citizenship, Employability and Personal Development), Physical Education, Religious Education and Games.
Pupils will then study GCSE subjects in the following:
| Option 1
(6 core GCSEs + 4 Optional GCSEs) |
Option 2
(5 core GCSEs + 4 Optional GCSEs) |
Option 3
(5 core GCSEs + 4 Optional GCSEs) |
| English | English | English |
| Mathematics and Further Mathematics | Mathematics | Mathematics |
| Digital Technology | Digital Technology | Business Communication Systems |
| Double Award Science (2 GCSE grades, taught discretely as Biology, Chemistry and Physics) | Double Award Science (2 GCSE grades, taught discretely as Biology, Chemistry and Physics) | Single Award Science and Learning for Life & Work GCSE |
Pupils then select 4 Optional Subjects from the list below after availing of Careers Guidance and guidance by subject teachers:
| Art & Design | French | Music |
| Business Studies | Geography | Physical Education |
| Child Development | History | Religious Education |
| English Literature | Leisure & Tourism | Spanish |
| Food & Nutrition | Motor Vehicle & Road User Studies | Technology & Design |
Key Stage 5 (GCE A level)
Pupils wishing to study A level (Years 13 & 14) must meet the published entry criteria. They are interviewed and, in the light of their career plans and GCSE results, are advised on appropriate courses of study. Final decisions are made following discussions among senior staff, parents, pupils and the careers staff.
Pupils can study up to 4 of the following subjects at AS (Year 13) and most pupils continue to study 3 subjects for A2 (Year 14):
| Art & Design | Geography | Performing Arts |
| Biology | Health & Social Care | Physics |
| Business Studies | History | Religious Education |
| Chemistry | ICT | Spanish |
| Computing | Life & Health Sciences | Sports Studies (BTEC) |
| English Literature | Mathematics | Technology & Design |
| Environmental Technology | Music | Travel & Tourism (BTEC) |
| French | Nutrition & Food Science |
Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance (CEIAG)
Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance (CEIAG) is delivered as follows:
- A timetabled programme of Careers Education / Employability for Years 8 to 14.
- Through subject areas that provide information on relevant subject-specific careers.
- Work-related learning such as interview skills events and formal work experience.
- Careers Guidance support at key transition points from careers staff and the Careers Service of NI.
- Careers Information is provided through guest speakers, careers booklets, visits, email alerts and noticeboards.
Further information may be found on the Careers Department section of the school website.
Religious Education
Religious Education (RE) is a compulsory subject on the Northern Ireland Curriculum. All pupils in Years 8 to 12 study Christianity and other world religions at Key Stage 3 with an emphasis on Ethics and the main religious denominations in Northern Ireland at GCSE. Pupils can also study RE for both GCSE and GCE Advanced Level examinations. The RE Department is involved in Larne Learning Community Shared Education projects with St Killian’s College, Larne High School and Roddensvale Special School.
The school holds regular non-denominational Christian Assemblies and other acts of worship throughout the year.
Drugs Education
It is the policy of the Board of Governors of this School that pupils should be encouraged to adopt healthy lifestyles and to refrain from abusing any substances likely to be harmful to them.
The Drugs and Substance Abuse Policy (available on the school website) sets out the school’s approach to Drugs Education and the roles, responsibilities and procedures to be followed in the event of suspected use of illegal drugs or substances by pupils.