The statutory requirements of the Northern Ireland Curriculum are being addressed across Key Stage 3 and Key Stage 4.
Enhancement of the KS3 Curriculum:
All students study two modern languages in Years 8, 9 and 10. Literacy intervention strategies such as spelling club, paired reading and a ‘Book Buddy’ mentoring programme encourages independent reading aimed to improve literacy.
All Year 8, Year 9 and Year 10 students have timetabled ICT which enables them to learn the basic ICT skills which they will develop in other subjects.
Irish Medium
Pupils who have transferred to Dean Maguirc College from Irish Medium Units at primary level have a separate class for Irish and will study French with their peers.
The programme followed in Irish will lead to pupils completing a G.C.S.E in this subject in Key Stage 3. Where appropriate these pupils will continue to study in Irish throughout KS4.
The school uses ‘Google Classroom’ as the social platform for on–line learning.
Global Learning Programme
Dean Maguirc College is now a “Global Learning Programme” school.
As a Global Learning Programme school we promote education for a fair and sustainable world through a range of subjects such as Geography, R.E., LLW and Home Economics.
The delivery of the Global Learning Programme helps our pupils develop the knowledge, skills, attitudes and dispositions that will enable them to realise their potential and make responsible choices for their future in a rapidly changing world.
Key Stage 4.
The ‘Entitlement Framework’ has resulted in the offering of both academic and vocational subjects at KS4 and to enable pupils to make informed choices for this Key Stage.
On entry to Year 11 pupils embark on three different pathways:
Pathway 1 entails a complete academic programme with pupils studying 8, 9 or 10 G.C.S.E. subjects. As well as doing English, Mathematics, Science, LLW and Religion they then take three subjects from:
Art, Business and Communication Systems, Business Studies, Child Development, Digital Technology, Drama, French, Geography, History, Health & Social Care, Home Economics, ICT, Irish, Media Studies, Motor Vehicle Studies, Music, PE, Technology (Product Design).
Pathway 2 entails 7 G.C.S.E. subjects: English, Mathematics, Science, Religion, Prince’s Trust Level 2 Certificate and 2 optional subjects.
Pupils following this pathway also study a Level 2 Occupational Studies qualification (Distinction – Pass)
The Occupational studies courses on offer are grouped as follows:
Year 11
• Business and Services.
• Construction
Year 12
• Design & Creativity
• Engineering & Egineering Service
The qualification grading for the Occupational Studies are aligned to G.C.S.E. grades e.g. a Level 2 Distinction* is aligned to a G.C.S.E. A*
Pathway 3 pupils spend 4 days per week in school and 1 day of work experience. They undertake the following:
Essential Skills Communication and Number
OCN NI Level 2 Certificate in ICT
Prince’s Trust Level 2 Diploma
Motivating S.E.N. pupils takes place through continual encouragement to regard education as an enjoyable, important, useful and integral part of their lives. Pupils who are identified as having special educational needs are set in small classes for the core subjects so that they can be given individualised attention:
The aims of these classes are:
(a) To act as a safety net for pupils with learning difficulties in order to encourage them to achieve their full potential;
(b) To develop the basic requirements of literacy and numeracy for life skills;
(c) To develop the skills and knowledge required to fulfil a useful role in society.
For all other subjects, pupils join their form classes for lessons which entail differentiated teaching and the use of appropriate materials and resources. The implementation of the ‘Code of Practice’ has resulted in the drawing up of education plans for pupils at stage 1 or above, thus ensuring that every effort is being made to meet the needs of all our pupils.
Special needs pupils are supported across the curriculum by twenty six classroom assistants. The assistants build up good working relationships with the pupils and aim to develop confidence and independence within them while maximising their potential in every area.
The school works closely with EA external services who provide support for pupils on an advisory or a one to one level. Various reasonable adjustments can be implemented for SEN pupils in order to meet their needs and ensure a positive, productive learning experience.