Curriculum

Subjects offered at KEY STAGE 3 (Years 8, 9 & 10)During the first two weeks in September, each year 8 student is assessed in English and Maths and then placed in classes depending on how they performed in these assessments.

All children have access to the full range of subjects within the Northern Ireland curriculum. These include:

Art & Design
Citizenship
Drama
Employability
English
French and / or Irish
Geography
History
Home Economics
Information Technology (I.T.)
Mathematics
Music
Personal & Social Education
Physical Education (P.E.)
Religious Education
Science
Technology & Design

A typical timetable for a Year 8 student

PERIOD	MONDAY	TUESDAY	WEDNESDAY	THURSDAY	FRIDAY
(1) 8.45 - 9.20	Citizenship	French	IT	Maths	Science
(2) 9.20 - 9.55	Employability	Library	IT	Maths	Science
	BREAK	BREAK	BREAK	BREAK	BREAK
(3) 10.05 - 10.40	Science	English	Geography	Irish	Irish
(4) 10.40 - 11.15	Science	Religion	History	History	Religion
(5) 11.15 - 11.50	Form Period	H. Economics	Irish	Art & Design	Maths
(6) 11.50 - 12.25	Religion	H. Economics	Music	Art & Design	Geography
	LUNCH	LUNCH	LUNCH	LUNCH	LUNCH
(7) 1.00 - 1.30	Geography	French	Music	P.E	French
(8) 1.30 - 2.00	English	Maths	Tech. & Design	P.E.	English
(9) 2.00 - 2.35	English	Maths	Tech. & Design	Drama	History

Music
Peripatetic music tutors offer tuition in a wide range of musical instruments. There is an accomplished school choir, which performs at functions throughout the year and are ably accompanied by the traditional music group.

Citizenship
Citizenship is now a statutory subject at secondary level in all schools.

This new and exciting subject develops a knowledge and understanding of the challenges and opportunities of personal, cultural, social and economic issues in contemporary society.

It enhances understanding of the different values and attitudes, needs and perspectives of candidates own and other communities. It also develops the skills needed for independent thinking, informed decision-making and action in relation to personal, economic, employment and social issues.

At St Joseph’s, pupils are timetabled for one period per week at Key Stage 3 and cover the following topics:

Year 8: Diversity & Inclusion
Year 9: Equality & Social Justice
Year 10: Democracy & Active Participation

Citizenship is also compulsory at Key Stage 4 and is studied as a GCSE subject called Life & Work.

Pathways at KEY STAGE 4 (Years 11 & 12)
When students come the final two years of their compulsory educations, St Josephs offers 4 pathways to choose from. Teachers will offer advice and will guide the student towards the most appropriate pathway.

Students and their parents consider their own needs and aspirations and select some optional subjects from a comprehensive list of courses, which are relevant to vocational and academic study

There are 4 pathways to choose from:

Route 1
5 Core GCSE Subjects & 4 GCSE Options
Core Subjects for Route 1:            English, Maths, Science, Life & Work, Religion

Route 2
4 Core GCSE Subjects & 3 GCSE Options & BTec First
Core Subjects for Route 2:            English, Maths, Science, Religion

Route 3
4 Core GCSE Subjects & 1 GCSE Option or BTec First or 1 Day Work Placement or 1 Day Occupational Studies
Core Subjects for Route 3:            English, Maths, Science, Religion

Route 4
4 Core GCSE Subjects & 1 day work experience & Occupational Studies (-2 GCSE’s)
Core Subjects for Route 4:            English, Maths, Science, Religion

The Third Pathway
If students choose the 3rd pathway they attend Southern Regional College in Newry on Thursday mornings to take a BTec First Certificate (which is the equivalent of 2 GCSEs).

The Fourth Pathway

If students take the 4th pathway they attend Southern Regional College on Friday to take an Occupational Studies qualification. This Link course with SRC provides a work related curriculum for pupils in years 11 and 12.

Year 11 pupils choose six vocational areas and spend five weeks on each. In Year 12 they select their two main choices and fulfil the requirements of an examination “Occupational Studies” where they are assessed on their practical work and portfolio. Students are able to study from a range of areas from catering, hairdressing, sport, childcare,media and construction crafts such as carpentry, plastering, plumbing and motor vehicle studies.