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 self-confidence in our pupils so that they can put their achievements to good use and capitalise on all the talents God has given them.  In implementing the Entitlement Curriculum over the next number of years, we hope to provide for pupils at Key Stage 3 and Key Stage 4 a curriculum which is broad and balanced and which will prepare them for adult life.  Piloting of the revised curriculum and its assessment is currently taking place in Northern Ireland.

Junior Curriculum - Key Stage 3
In the Junior School (Years 8-10) all pupils are presented with a common curriculum.  On entering the school, pupils are placed into one of three Attainment Bands on the basis of their Transfer Report from their Primary School.  Pupils study one or two languages depending on band placement.  Their progress is monitored by the Head of House throughout the year and, on the basis of recommendations from Class Teachers/Form Teachers and Heads of Departments, pupils can be re-allocated within the Year Group.  Within each Band some degree of mixed ability is recognised.  Table 1 (next page) shows the subjects currently studied at Key Stage 3.

Senior Curriculum - Key Stage 4
This is followed in Years 11 and 12 (4th and 5th years).
Table 1 (next page) shows the compulsory and optional subjects studied at this Key Stage.

Sixth Form Curriculum
At sixth form level, a consortium arrangement operates between St Genevieve’s and La Salle Boys’ School and this enables a wider range of subject choices to be offered to the students.  Classes at this level are therefore often co-educational.  In sixth year, 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 of combining A-level subjects with a GNVQ Course, GCSE subjects and vocational subjects or alternatively any of these courses may be taken in isolation.  Table 2 (see over) shows the subjects currently studied in the Sixth Form.

Special Education Needs
Individual needs are addressed through a combination of placement in small classes, additional classes for Numeracy/Literacy.  Specialist peripatetic help will be sought for pupils whose Statement of Needs indicate that such a measure is in their best interest.

Curriculum Queries
The welfare of the pupil is at the centre of all curriculum planning.  However, where parents consider that the curriculum provision for their child is not satisfactory, they are invited to express their concern to the school through:  initially, the Head of House - who will consult with key school personnel.
Should the issue not be resolved at this stage, an interview should then be sought with the Key Stage Co-ordinator or the assistant Vice-Principal (Curriculum), either of whom will be happy to advise further.