Parent Information

Curriculum Policy

Religious Education

Religious Education is available to all pupils. Parents have the right to withdraw their children from religious education.

Collective Worship

All pupils are expected to take part in daily collective worship. The school has a programme of collective worship involving some whole-school assemblies, house assemblies and tutor group assemblies.

Sex Education

The school provides sex education in the basic curriculum for all pupils, in which pupils are encouraged and guided by moral principles and taught to recognise the value of family life.

A full statement of the school's sex education policy is available to parents. It has been drawn up in consultation with staff, pupils and parents, and takes into account the views of representatives from the community. It has regard for the government's guidance in Sex and Relationship Education Guidance (0116/2000).

In accordance with the law the biological aspects of human reproduction remain compulsory for all pupils, but parents may withdraw their children from any other part of the sex education provided without giving reasons.

Political Education

The promotion of partisan political views in the teaching of any subject in the school is forbidden by law. Political issues are introduced in a number of courses and are presented in a balanced manner.

PE and Games

All pupils are expected to take part in the school's Physical Education and Games programme. Pupils can only be excused from PE and Games lessons for medical reasons, for which a note from a parent will suffice, or other reasons agreed with the school.

Extra-Curricular Activities

The school has a wide and varied programme of cultural and sporting activities that take place outside the formal curriculum. All pupils are expected to take part in the programme.

Homework

The school expects homework to be set as appropriate. As guidance the school expects pupils to spend the following times on homework:

Years 7 & 8 - 45-90 minutes per day
Years 9, 10 & 11 - 1-2 hours per day
Years 12 & 13 - depends on the subjects, but guidance should be included in school policies

Special Educational Needs

The school has a special educational needs policy for statemented and non-statemented pupils. The school will determine the appropriate courses in consultation with the parents.