PROSPECTUS 2019
NEW BEGINNINGS
COMMITMENT OPPORTUNITY RESPECT EXCELLENCE
CONTENTS
PRINCIPAL’S WELCOME 4 INSPECTION FINDINGS 6 A CULTURE OF KINDNESS 9 COMMITMENT 10 PUPIL LEADERSHIP 14 OPPORTUNITY 16 RESPECT 22 EXCELLENCE 28 CURRICULUM 38 ADMISSIONS 42 EXAMINATION RESULTS 48 WIDER WALLACE 50 GALLERY 51 REALISING AMBITIONS
Many thanks to all who contributed photographs.
3 “We are proud to think of this school as ‘the living legacy’ of its inspirational, philanthropic founder.”
4 PRINCIPAL’S WELCOME “This prospectus is a record of, and a reflection on, the life of Wallace High School in the last calendar year. It presents what makes Wallace distinctive, special and loved. Our school family extends from our Pre-Prep to our past pupils and we believe that our school family provides an unsurpassed foundation for academic and personal growth. We think of this as The Wallace Way.”
The academic year 2017-2018 was “A remarkable year a remarkable year for Wallace High for Wallace High School as the school commemorated the bicentennial of its founder’s School as the school birth with highly-acclaimed commemorated the musical performances in Lisburn bicentennial of its and London, consolidated the founder’s birth.’’ continuation of his vision with the completion of a School Enhancement strongly in the CCEA rankings with Project and celebrated continued 2 students, Anna Trimble and Holly outstanding academic success. Mackin, who had featured in the 2017 rankings as Year 11 students, For yet another year, the school appearing again in 2018! In Year 11, Scholarship to represent Northern achieved record A level results with Anna was placed 1st in GCSE Ireland at a conference in Strasbourg. 47% of all grades A*/A, 80% A*/B, Mathematics out of a candidature of 96% A*/C with 87% of students 21,643 so the probability of being We are proud to think of this achieving 3+A*-C grades. At AS level, 1st was an astonishing 0.0000462! school as ‘the living legacy’ of its 10 students achieved 4 A grades This year, Anna was placed joint inspirational, philanthropic founder. and 24 students 3 or 4 A grades; 13 1st in GCSE French, joint 1st in I hope you will enjoy reading this students completed Mathematics A Further Mathematics and 1st in GCSE prospectus which celebrates the level in one year. We were delighted Geography. Anna’s mother, Helen, achievements of our pupils and to hear that Year 14 student, Peter as an 18-year old Wallace pupil was commemorates our unique history. Gillanders, was joint 1st in A level placed 1st in A level Geography. We Geography in the CCEA rankings. have yet to calculate the probability of Anna’s 2018 achievements At GCSE level, 32 students achieved and we suspect few families 10 or more A*/A grades, 71 students have ever attained a CCEA inter- achieved 27 points or more - the generational double! Holly Mackin, equivalent of 9 A grades and 55 who gained 1st place in GCSE RE students achieved 8 or more A*/A (short course) in Year 11 was placed grades with 51% of all grades being joint 2nd in French this year and awarded at A*/A. We featured has subsequently won a Rotary
4 5 INSPECTION FINDINGS SERVING OUR PUPILS WITH EXCELLENCE
Grammar School “In discussions with the inspectors, Pre-Preparatory the pupils were confident and Department Inspection Findings highly motivated; they spoke 2015-16 very positively about their active May 2018 Early Years “Achievements and standards in involvement in the life and work of Inspection by Inspectors Mathematics are outstanding. the school and the academic and from the Early Years Team In English, the pupils achieve pastoral support they receive from (South-Eastern Health and excellent outcomes in GCSE and their teachers.” Social Care Trust) GCE A level examinations.” “The inspectors praised the “The pupils achieve excellent Preparatory Department “dedicated staff” who “provide outcomes in public examinations.” a wealth of enjoyable learning June 2016 Report of a opportunities to meet the “The pupils benefit from high quality Sustaining Improvement educational needs of the children care, guidance and support.” Inspection within a safe and nurturing environment.” “The leadership team is highly In May 2013, the school was committed to school improvement. evaluated overall as “very good.” They set high standards and expectations.” “All of the lessons observed during the sustaining improvement “There is an excellent range of extra- inspection were good in progressing curricular activities.” learning and a majority were very good.” In 2015-16, the school was evaluated overall as “very good” “Wallace High School Preparatory with “outstanding” leadership. Department continues to demonstrate a high level of capacity May 2018 Report of a for sustained self-improvement in Sustaining Improvement the interests of the children.” Inspection*
“There is clear evidence of well- planned and targeted improvement work, implemented effectively by the senior leadership team in meeting the needs of all pupils. Consequently, the pupils continue to achieve excellent outcomes in public examinations at Key Stage 4 and post-16.”
* involving action short of strike
6 7 “We are committed to providing a school community where individuals are empowered to reach their own potential and also find pleasure in seeing others reach their goals.”
8 A CULTURE OF KINDNESS “Mr Wallace...fi nding himself suddenly so wealthy he set himself to invest his wealth...in that peculiarly English fashion of what is called “doing good”. He is now as well known and as popular in London as in Paris...he is on the whole as good a man as the best of those who have lately been adopted into the ranks of the English aristocracy.” (This description of Sir Richard was published in Vanity Fair, 29th November 1873 in the “Statesmen” series, no.160)
We encourage tolerance, mutual activities are central to school life respect and a sense of family where in Wallace providing pupils with the aspirations, enthusiasms and regular opportunities to refl ect upon needs of each family member can be their own privileged position and to acknowledged and supported. support others both at home and abroad. Our school systems are built around our desire to foster close bonds and At the core of our school is the belief networks. Our pupils are supported in the importance of the individual. in each Year Group by a Head of Year We are committed to providing a and an Assistant Head of Year, a school community where individuals level of pastoral support unequalled are empowered to reach their own in the majority of schools. Our potential and also fi nd pleasure school Houses allow intra-year in seeing others reach their activities to fl ourish and the high goals. Courtesy, co-operation and level of pupil participation in sports compassion represent a core triad of There is a diff erence between creates natural opportunities for values which underpin Wallace life. surviving and thriving. At Wallace, coaching and mentoring. Charitable we want our pupils to thrive and we believe that pupils who thrive are pupils who are happy and secure, invigorated by the school environment. Our school was founded by a famous philanthropist whose legacy to Lisburn is incalculable. Desiring to honour our founder’s spirit, we believe that we all have a responsibility to play a full and active part in society. We are conscious that the attitudes pupils develop and hold at this stage will remain with them throughout adulthood and we aim to foster a culture in which our pupils appreciate their responsibility to each other and to society at large. Private collection used by kind permission
9 COMMITMENT
Sport for All school. The successes of so many of and Matthew are following in the our former pupils at provincial and footsteps of former pupil Timothy Our sports facilities international level are a source of Cockram, who won close to 200 have been transformed constant inspiration. Our majority international caps in his highly sports are rugby, hockey (boys and distinguished hockey career. by our new Strength girls), netball, badminton and cricket Timothy’s achievements were and Conditioning Suite but there are also opportunities celebrated at a very special evening which is unequalled in to become involved in athletics, in June “Meet the Olympians” when any school in Northern the equestrian team, golf, judo, a Wallace “dream team” took on a swimming and tennis at both team team led by fellow Olympians, Jonny Ireland. and individual levels. Our coaches Bell and Eugene Magee. A great Wallace pupils are encouraged to are committed to all our teams night of sport was enjoyed by all as understand the links between a and gain immense satisfaction some veteran local internationals healthy mind and a healthy body. from seeing pupils develop their dusted off their sticks and £900 was Mindful of the positive impact of confidence and skills. raised for CLIC Sargent, Timothy’s sport in building both self esteem chosen charity. Congratulations and team spirit, we encourage our Few schools contribute so many were also due to the boys’ hockey pupils to take part in both individual past pupils to the provincial and 2nd XI who won both the Prior and team events. We are immensely international stage in hockey and Shield and the Dowdall Cup and proud of the commitment of our rugby. Sean Murray and Matthew were named as Junior Team of the staff to sports in Wallace. Our Nelson have both been integral Year 2018 by Lisburn & Castlereagh specialist PE teachers are supported members of the Irish senior hockey City Council. by teachers from a range of team, playing in World League 2 departments within the school and in Belfast and were members of We were also thrilled to hear that by specialist external coaches who the Irish squad which competed Head of Boys’ Hockey, Mr Gareth have a long-standing link to the in the World Cup in India. Sean Kidd, had been appointed as Ireland Hockey Senior Men’s Manager.
Gareth returned from India just in time to see our 1st XI win the McCullough Cup with a nail-biting penalty shoot-out victory over Sullivan Upper.
“Gareth’s pastoral and coaching expertise will add undoubted value to the newly formed Irish coaching team. I see this as the beginning of a very productive relationship with Hockey Ireland in light not only of our school’s significant talent pool but our newly built elite Strength and Conditioning facilities and the high quality Wallace pitch.”
(Principal, Mrs Deborah O’Hare)
10 11 Photo: Front Row Union website
Photo: Charles Beaumont
Photo Charles Beaumont
12 Photo courtesy of Dickson Digital
“ When I was setting out my goals for the season, I was just thinking in terms of maybe squeezing on to the bench.” Jacob Stockdale
We continue to watch with immense pride the careers of former pupils at Ulster rugby and are indebted to them for their commitment to the school. Their collective example of sportsmanlike conduct and affectionate loyalty to the school is inspirational. Jacob Stockdale surprised many by his humble admission of having been a “B team player” in his early years at Wallace, a fine example of the need for what pioneering psychologist Angela Duckworth calls “grit” in her bestseller of the same name. In the 2018 NatWest Six Nations, Jacob wrote his name in the history book of what is often called ‘Rugby’s Greatest Championship’ by breaking the try-scoring record and becoming the first player in more than 100 years to have scored multiple tries in three consecutive Championship matches. His reward was to be named as the NatWest Six Nations Player of the Championship and more recently he has been chosen as BBC Sport Northern Ireland Personality of the Year.
13 PUPIL LEADERSHIP
At Wallace we believe year, Council contributes members and administrative support to staff in empowering our to a Canteen Committee who meet by completing a range of duties with the Canteen Manager and the before, during and after school in pupils. The pupil Year Councils are also supporting a range of locations around school. voice is valued at the Leadership Team’s work by Each prefect also belongs to a Wallace. We believe considering a Reward System. It is designated team as follows: that providing roles of certainly true that there have been • Sport responsibility for our some very innovative suggestions • Music reflecting pupil experiences; a “fast • iLeaders young people in our pass” for the canteen queue was • Pastoral community helps their something which would never have • School Spirit confidence, develops occurred to the Leadership Team! skills for future life and House Captains Senior Prefects These young people and their engenders a spirit of The Senior Prefect Team is deputies lead the work of the six loyalty to the school. comprised of the Head Boy, Head Houses in co-operation with Miss Girl and their deputies. The Senior Alana Frey and Mr David Simpson. School Council Prefect Team meets on a weekly The House system seeks to support Our School Council is an invaluable basis with the Senior Management pupils in a complementary fashion introduction to the workings of of the school and forms a key layer to that of the Year Group System democracy. Each class selects two of communication between staff as our Houses engender a sense of representatives for a Year Council, and pupils. They organise duty rotas belonging and healthy competition. chaired by the Assistant Head for the prefects, support the work In contrast to most of the school’s of Year. Each of these Councils of the school at events and act as activities and systems which are elects two of its members to the ambassadors and role models. Year-based, they actively promote Executive Council chaired by the intra–year relationships creating a Vice-Principal (Pastoral). We believe Prefects closely knit school family. these formal procedures give our Mr Ian Latham, who is responsible pupils an invaluable insight into for the prefects, has created an Sports Captains the factors which govern decision innovative new model for the As part of our focus on “The Wallace making at a whole school level. Each prefects who provide daily practical Way”( by which we mean the distinctive way in which we as a school communicate our ethos), we have introduced a training scheme for Team Captains. The Principal, supported by other members of the Leadership Team, has met with Team Captains at all levels and encouraged them to participate in a process of self-evaluation.
14 15 16 OPPORTUNITY Wallace pupils have frequent and varied opportunities to widen their horizons.
The school’s commitment to the charity Asha offers a selected group of students a life-changing insight into life in India and, in particular, life in the slums of Delhi and the materially impoverished communities there. The charity’s name means ‘hope’ in Hindi, a link not lost upon a school whose motto is Esperance! The 2018 team of students visited the Mayapuri slum in late October/early November. The team has donated an astounding £16,500 to Asha. This could send 30+ students from slum colonies to university. “It’s impossible We completed the final stage of to describe how our Erasmus+ project in the Spring “I am overwhelmed by the incredible this term of 2018 with staff and pupils team’s efforts and also your visiting Belgium. The initial trans- support.” experience has been. national meeting was held in Mrs Thampi - Team Leader - email We will never forget October 2016 when we hosted our to staff the children, the work partner schools: Athénée Léonie of Asha and all the de Waha (Belgium), the Fundacion As part of our commemorations of joyful people we met.” Zalima College in Córdoba (Spain) the life of our distinguished founder, and the Institut Vall de Llémena Sir Richard Wallace, we hope to fund Megan H and Amy in Cataluña (Spain). Since then, a project involving the provision of Wallace students visited Spain clean water in a slum thus mirroring twice. We hosted pupils from our the tradition of Wallace fountains around the globe. In addition to their time in the slums, the students were received at the British High Commissioner’s residence for high tea to celebrate the achievements of Asha students. They also visited the Taj Mahal, Red Fort, Humuyan’s Tomb, Swaminarayan’s Temple and local markets.
Wallace Principal, Mrs Deborah O’Hare, visited India in February 2018 representing the Irish schools involved with the charity. Since the return of the 2018 team, the school has hosted a visit by Mr Freddie Martin, Director of Asha, and an Asha graduate, Abhisheck.
17 partner schools just prior to the range of venues as homespun as Belfast and province-wide. We also Halloween break in 2017 and the Limavady (Year 8 Rugby) and as sent a team to the USA to compete in final trip of the project was to exciting as the USA for the annual a world championship event. Team Belgium in the spring of 2018. The ski trip. The visit of the Honours W@LLE (Wallace at First Lego League focus of the project was on how Choir to London to sing in the Esperance) developed a project based new technologies can improve Wallace Collection was for one on a real world challenge, namely language learning, motivation and Year 14 student “The best possible how to reduce the waste of water. autonomy. end to my time at Wallace” and for Sir Richard Wallace would have been everyone involved, the sight of a impressed! The final report on the project has grand piano being man-handled up been submitted and whilst we the main staircase of the building 2018-19 will see pupils having have yet to hear formally from was as priceless as the artefacts the opportunity to visit Iceland the British Council, our interim in the Collection! In addition, there (Geography), the USA (History report was graded as ‘excellent’ were curriculum-related trips to and Politics) and Europe (Modern and our Belgian partner school was several European countries. Our Languages and History and Politics) awarded 85/100, some 35% above wide range of extra-curricular – experiences which will broaden the compulsory minimum of 50%. provision means that opportunities their minds and provide cherished also present themselves locally and memories. 2017-18 saw the traditional our pupils participated in a wide sports-related trips and tours to a range of competitions and events in
4 18 19 20 21 RESPECT
none. The project is in association with our legacy charity, Asha. The goal is to improve the access to clean water in the Mayapuri Slum, New Delhi. We aim to provide clean drinking water to about 490 households catering to about 5,000 slum dwellers. The total cost of the installation of water filters is £22,000 and the purification of stagnant water and associated anti-larval measures costs a further £10,000. Following this there will be an extensive programme of education of the entire community which brings further costs. This inspirational project will save lives in Northern Ireland to hold a mud as people die of malaria, dengue run in co-operation with the charity. and chikunya on a regular basis The A2 class will organise “Muddy Charity which are all linked to the insanitary Mayhem” and we are opening conditions. the event to our former pupils in Charity is at the very heart of addition to promoting entry by Wallace life. To some, Sir Richard 2017-18 saw Key Stage 3 students family teams. is known best as a lover of fine art participate in ReadOn, the as his decision to donate “a vast sponsored reading event of our To date, during this calendar year, assemblage of fine and decorative local legacy charity, the Cancer we have donated to Asha, Children art” has been described by the Fund for Children. We contributed in Need, the Wings Appeal, the distinguished art critic, Richard over £6,000 to the charity during Poppy Appeal, Pancreatic Cancer, Dorment, as “surely one of the most the year with a further £1,200 in the Cancer Fund for Children and significant acts of philanthropy November 2018 and our school Crohn’s and Colitis. In the school year in British history.” Even more family has been enthused by the 2018-19, we are placing particular inspirational is the story of Sir news that we will be the first school emphasis on supporting medical Richard’s involvement in the Siege charities which have programmes of Paris when he organised two supporting young sufferers and full-scale ambulances to operate students who have these conditions during the siege; one was to serve are playing a leading role in raising French wounded, the second “for awareness and championing the the benefit of sick and destitute cause. We have also contributed Britons.” By the end of the Siege goods to collections for Operation of Paris, it was estimated he had Christmas Child, the Lisburn Food privately contributed as much as 2.5 Bank and the Women’s Refuge. million francs to the poor and needy Students have also offered practical of the city. He received the Légion assistance at the Rotary Tree of d’Honneur for his efforts. In 1872, Remembrance, collected for the he donated 50 drinking fountains, Great Daffodil Appeal (Marie Curie) which bear the name Wallace, to and supported the Mayor’s charity Paris and to Lisburn and some can by swelling the ranks of carol still be seen today. singers.
In 2018, in memory of our founder, we launched the Wallace Delhi Hope Project which aspires to bring clean drinking water to those who have
22 23 40 years on! Symmetry which was serendipitous marked the official opening of the new wing of Wallace High School. The School Enhancement Project (SEP), an ambitious and stylish build, was opened on the 4th October 2018, a date which marked the official opening of the then “new school” in Clonevin Park in 1978. Inflation has taken its toll as the school cost £1.5 million to build; the SEP cost £3.5 million! Future-proofing the school, the new wing has provided state- of-the-art facilities for Art, Moving Image Arts and Nutrition and Food Science, while our PE facilities have been transformed by a Strength and Conditioning Suite unequalled in any school in NI. The new changing rooms even provide such luxuries as hair dryers!
The final phase of the project was an extension to the Technology Department offering much-
24 40 years on! needed additional space and high-tech equipment.
The wing was officially opened by distinguished past pupil, Chris Henry of Ulster and Ireland, in his capacity as the first Honorary President of the Past Pupils’ Association. Quoting from James Kerr’s celebrated book Legacy: what the All Blacks can teach us about the business of life Chris referred to the ambition of every All Black to “leave the jersey in a better place” and encouraged the many past pupils present to consider how they could actively contribute to the wider life of the school.
Thanks were also due to Lisburn Museum who lent us their replica busts of Sir Richard and Lady Wallace for the evening.
25 Providing a blend of pastoral support, adventure activities and team building for Year 8 students
26 Special Educational Needs (SEN)
SEN support We are conscious that pupils bring to school individual experiences, histories, interests and strengths which impact on their learning. In planning to meet these diverse needs, the school will encourage all pupils to appreciate and respect diff erence in others, arising from whatever source. We recognise that some students will come to Wallace with a SEN whilst others will be identifi ed as having such a need during their time here. We are committed to helping pupils overcome barriers to learning and The Code of Practice for SEN has “All pupils are assessment and our model is an been revised and all school SEN consistently involved inclusive one fostering a sense policies and procedures will be in target setting of integration, as all pupils are reviewed in the light of the new consistently involved in target legislation during 2018-19. exercises thus setting exercises thus enabling enabling pupils to set pupils to set their own goals. Heads “The line of inquiry during their own goals.’’ of Department are expected to the Sustaining Improvement provide departmental policies, Inspection (SII) was to evaluate support and subject specifi c targets how the school uses qualitative and for SEN pupils and to liaise with quantitative data to meet the needs Heads of Year in modifying provision of all pupils, including those with for individual pupils. social, emotional and behavioural diffi culties and additional The school makes full use of the learning needs.” support services off ered by the Education Authority (EA) and “There is clear evidence of well- external agencies, as appropriate. planned and targeted improvement At all times, we strive to maintain work, implemented eff ectively the dignity of the pupil and to work by the senior leadership team in in co-operation with his or her meeting the needs of all pupils. parents. Our SENCo Senior Teacher, Consequently, the pupils continue Miss Gracey, is fully qualifi ed as to achieve excellent outcomes in a specialist assessor for Access public examinations at Key Stage 4 Arrangements and is registered with and post-16.” the British Psychological Society and (SII May 2018) Mr N McKnight (Senior Teacher) will complete his qualifi cation during this academic year.
27 EXCELLENCE
Gifted and Talented Digital Technology As a selective school, we Wallace continues to be at the acknowledge that within our forefront of innovative provision school family are those whose in ICT in Northern Ireland. Our abilities are so remarkable that reputation for excellence in this area they need additional enrichment continues to reach far beyond our activities. Gifted and Talented pupils locality. We respond to academic are recognised as a group within queries from around the globe Special Educational Needs (SEN) on a regular basis. Committed and our commitment to them is to stretching ourselves, our shown by our provision of a Gifted teachers have a PRSD objective and Talented Co-ordinator, Mr Neal based around the use of apps. McKnight, who works in close effort is made to offer interesting Our Erasmus+ project was based co-operation with fellow Senior enrichment activities in both Key around digital technology and our Teacher/SENCo, Miss Heather Gracey Stage 3 and Key Stage 4 through expert technicians created our and Heads of Department. We have competitions, courses and online own Wallace High Campus. Wallace a well-established relationship extension materials and activities. students continue to excel in the with Villiers Park and many of our The Entwined Histories Project has CCEA “A” level in Software Systems students who attend one of these been an enriching example of an Development and we are continuing residentials proceed to Oxbridge extension activity. The Geography to forge links with the ICT industry applications. During the summer Department has enjoyed great in Northern Ireland. of 2018, a number of Year 13 success in a number of competitions Wallace students attended summer with the “brothers Kamalarajah” The school has a rich social media residential and Gifted and Talented becoming media stars with their presence. Departments have their programmes at UUJ, the University award-winning film. Max also own Twitter accounts, a live feed of of Dundee, Oxford and Cambridge featured in the English Department’s sports matches is available for fans, a - several Year 14 students gained activities when his short story won Facebook page is accessible to pupils, unconditional offers. Our provision him the chance to meet Senator former pupils and friends of the is not solely at Key Stage 5 as every George Mitchell. school and the school’s website is a digital archive of our achievements as a school. Our purchase of a drone enabled us to attain exciting footage of our School Enhancement Project during the build and pupils have the opportunity to participate in a number of extra-curricular clubs linked to digital technology. The success of our pupils in the First Lego League has won the school admiration from various quarters and our classrooms continue to be characterised by constant experimentation with new apps. Our iLeaders scheme enables pupils to act as mentors for others whilst the “self service” facility on our school system allows swift access to a wide range of apps.
28 29 30 MUSIC “ I know for myself the commitment, Music Tuition dedication and excellence of its The Music Department offers teachers and the wealth of its instrumental and voice tuition in a wide range of areas and we are provision. ” delighted by the very high uptake of lessons in the following areas:
• Upper strings: Violin and Viola • Lower strings: Cello and Double Bass • Woodwind: Flute, Clarinet and Double Bass • Brass: Trumpet, Trombone, French Horn and Tuba (Brass Band included) • Percussion: Drum Kit and Orchestral Percussion • Guitar: Classical and Electric, Electric Bass • Voice: Soprano to Bass • Piano: Jazz Piano, Classical Piano, Organ “The school was local origin also featured. Mr Robin The generous funding of the greatly indebted Mansell (the husband of one of Hadden Bursaries by Mrs Celia to the City Council our tutors) provided an impeccable Gourley enables us to offer and mellifluous voiceover and even additional provision to students. and its staff in the appeared in costume to tip his hat summer term as in farewell! Our collaboration with The Music Department has two our spectacular Parkview Special School added specialist teachers, Mr David performances both in immeasurably to the event with Falconer (Head of Music) and Miss Lisburn and London their soloist, Lewis Gregg, providing Chelsea Pascoe. The Department a flawless solo fromThe Greatest is also fortunate in gaining from were made possible Showman. the enthusiasm and expertise by their financial of Mr Steven Alexander (Head support.” In late June, the Honours Choir of Mathematics) and Mrs Wendy travelled to London to sing in Davison (Physics) who are both in the Park” style event in Wallace Hertford House which houses classically trained instrumentalists. Park. Zoe Jackson also performed the Wallace Collection. Julie Yeow, This year we have been delighted a duet with local star Peter Corry. who is the recipient of a Pianoman to have further support from a new The school was greatly indebted to scholarship, had the nerve-wracking member of the Modern Languages the City Council and its staff in the experience of playing in front of her Department, Mrs Gillian Burns. We summer term as our spectacular benefactor Sir Harvey McGrath. She also have a number of outstanding performances both in Lisburn and performed the Lady Wallace Polka instrumental tutors and are London were made possible by their exquisitely on a grand piano she delighted to have two of our own financial support. #RW200 (Richard had watched being carried gingerly former pupils, Zoe Jackson and Ryan Wallace 200) was a branding linking up the staircase of Hertford House. Garnham working with us this year. the two cities, the Wallace Collection The students excelled themselves and the Wallace High School. in front of an audience of invited 2017-18 saw some remarkable dignitaries and some London-based achievements within the Music The open air concert outside the former pupils. Wallace Collection Department. The celebration of Linen Centre and Lisburn Museum curator, Suzanne Higgott, declared Sir Richard’s birth had generated reflected the life and times of Sir herself “stunned” by the quality of ambitious plans and projects which Richard with period pieces; stirring performance. came to outstanding fruition. Our songs from the iconic musical Les students participated in Lisburn and Misérables were provided by junior Castlereagh City Council’s “Proms choir Cantabile and folk songs of
31 32 33 Careers Education, Information and Guidance Keenly aware of the moral responsibility of guiding our young people towards future careers in an increasingly uncertain world, we begin Careers Education in Key Stage 3 with the Employability strand of Learning for Life and Work. Prior to subject selection for GCSE, pupils have careers interviews and attend a Careers Workshop organised by the Lisburn Area Learning Community. In Year 12, prior to AS subject choices, pupils attend a Careers Convention and benefit from an interview with the Careers Service. Pupils with an SEN meet with a specialist member of the Careers Service. Work experience is in year 13 and throughout the period of AS and A2 study, pupils have access to experienced external specialists.
“Prior to subject selection for GCSE, pupils have careers interviews and attend a Careers Workshop in the Lisburn Area Learning Community.”
Mock interviews The school offers a comprehensive mock interview scheme. We are grateful for the assistance offered to us by parents, the Rotary club and past pupils in facilitating this process. Students are given comprehensive feedback on their performance and the process is audited annually. The school also provides specialist preparation and interviews for students applying for teacher training, dentistry, medicine and Oxbridge. We also offer Oxbridge applicants the opportunity to meet up with former pupils currently studying in Oxford and Cambridge as undergraduates and postgraduates.
34 35 36 Young Enterprise The school has long been a Centre for Excellence for Young Enterprise and our Link Teacher, Ms Karen Neill, has guided our pupils to remarkable levels of success in the competition over many years. The Young Enterprise Company Programme gives students in Year 13 the opportunity to set up and run a business. Students have the opportunity to learn about the roles and responsibilities which exist within businesses and the whole experience is invaluable providing outstanding opportunities for creative and collaborative thinking coupled with administrative skills. In 2017-18, one our companies, Phonix, reached the final of the Young Enterprise Company of the Year held in the City Hall in June 2018. The company had won a series of awards in the run-up to the final including Best Visiting Company and Best Overall Company at the cross-border trade fair in Dundalk.
In the current Year 13 scheme, we have five companies: Satisfactory Street, Flow Blue, Innov8 Youth, Kiss and Fusion Bottles. Flow Blue came runner-up in the Young Enterprise Big Market at St George’s Market, Belfast in December 2018. Nearly 70 other companies competed for the award.
Rotary Interact The school has a vibrant and flourishing group overseen by Mrs Weir and Mrs Dumigan. Through a range of charitable activities, the group raises funds for a local and an international cause each year. Since its inception, it has developed its own traditions which add to our school’s character. The face painting teams have developed a range of looks varying from charming to intimidatory (think Braveheart!) and the singing Christmas elves delivering candy canes add to the festivities at the end of term. In keeping with the ideals of the Rotary movement, pupils are encouraged to serve others - an aim which complements our founder’s legacy.
37 CURRICULUM 2018-19 The Curriculum Policy Religious Studies GCSE Junior School Curriculum is approved by the The Religious Studies course is an Period Allocation introduction to Christian ethics Year Year Year Board of Governors exploring personal and family 8 9 10 and implemented issues, matters of life and death, and delivered by the care for the environment, equality, English 5 4 6 Principal and staff of war and peace. Studying these themes can enhance personal, Maths 6 5 6 the school. social and cultural development. French 4 4 4 It is an opportunity to reflect on The policy is developed by the and develop values, opinions and History 3 4 4 Leadership Team in consultation attitudes. Since September 2014, Geography with the staff. The curriculum all pupils study RS Short course 3 4 4 meets statutory requirements as modules in Year 11 and the full Art 2 2 2 identified by DENI. course modules in Year 12. Music 2 1 1 In order to meet current and Pupils will sit the appropriate GCSE RE 2 2 1 anticipated statutory requirements, examination at the end of both Year together with meeting the needs 11 and Year 12. Each examination Technology 2 2 2 and aspirations of the pupils, the lasts 90 minutes. school curriculum is reviewed HE 2 2 2 annually and proposed updates are LLW 1 1 1 brought to the Education Committee of the Board of Governors, and the PE 1 1 1 full Board, in turn for approval. Games 2 2 2 GCSE Curriculum Rationale Drama 2 All pupils will follow the core curriculum of English, English Reading for 1 1 1 Literature, Religious Studies (Short Pleasure Course) and Mathematics. Pupils will select a number of additional GCSE Physics 2 2 2 from the options blocks as indicated Chemistry 2 2 2 in the subject choice letter. Biology 2 2 2 Further Mathematics GCSE Computer 1 1 1 The top seventy candidates in Programming the Year 10 summer Mathematics examination will be offered the German/ 3 3 opportunity to study GCSE Further Spanish Mathematics. This involves an extra single period of Mathematics in lieu of one period of non-exam PE.
38 39 40 Middle School Curriculum (Year 11/12) English (7) Maths (6/7) RE (2) LLW (2) Games (2) PE (1/2) Groups (4) The top 70 pupils in the Summer Year 10 Mathematics examination are offered GCSE Further Mathematics.
Please choose one subject from each option group
Option I Option 2 Option 3 Option 4 Option 5 Option 6 Biology Art Biology Biology Art French Chemistry Bus Studies History Bus Studies Chemistry German Physics HE HE Chemistry French Spanish Geography Digital Technology Geography Geography History History Music Digital Technology History Geography Journalism PE Technology MIA Technology Physics Physics
Please note Digital Technology is the new name for ICT.
Sixth Form Curriculum (Nine periods per subject)
Pupils choose one subject per option block.
A B C D Biology Accelerated Maths Art Business Studies Computing / SSD Biology Biology Chemistry English Literature Economics Chemistry Geography French Geography English Literature History Digital Technology German Nutrition & Food Science Digital Technology Mathematics History Politics Physics PE (Extended Cert.)* Mathematics Technology Spanish Religious Studies Moving Image Arts Music Health & Social Care PE (Diploma)**
* BTEC Extended Certificate (equivalent to a single A-level) **BTEC Diploma (equivalent to two A-levels). Pupils must also select the Extended Certificate PE in block A.
Other courses A-Z Sports
1 Enrichment Programme Athletics Young Enterprise Badminton Computer Programming Cricket European Studies Cross-Country Health Equestrian Japanese Golf Cooking Hockey RE Netball Primary Liaison Rugby Skiing 2 Games Squash Swimming Tennis All information correct at the time of going to press but may be subject to amendment
41 ADMISSIONS To Parents/Guardians naming The Wallace High School as a preference on your child’s Transfer Form.
Entrance Test Results the School must be included. This information will be Please ensure that you attach original ‘Notification accepted either on the transfer form or as a separate of Result’ to your child’s Transfer Form. This contains attachment. your child’s AQE score and candidate number. The Admissions Committee will be unable to consider the Special Circumstances and/or Special Provision application if either a photocopy is attached or the If you are making a claim for your child to be information is omitted. The original document only considered under Special Circumstances or Special will be acceptable. Provision, please note that you are required to:
Verification of non-Academic Stage 2 criteria (1) present all such information as you consider will Please ensure that where reference is made to assist the Admissions Committee of the Board of another child of the family who is currently a pupil Governors in determining if Special Circumstances/ or an ex-pupil, his/her name should be included on Special Provision apply; and the Transfer Form with, if relevant, the current year (2) attach all such information to the Transfer Form. group, class set or in the case of an ex-pupil, the year the pupil left. In respect of a reference to a parent Further details can be found in the Section “Special who was a pupil of the School, the name of the parent Circumstances and Special Provision” see Appendix 1. at the time of attendance and the date he/she left
As the School is a voluntary Admissions criteria It should be noted that the grammar school, a mandatory The School is a co-educational, Admissions Committee of the Board capital fee of £140 per annum is non-denominational, voluntary of Governors will not take into currently charged. This is reduced grammar school. The School’s account the position of preference to £70 for the third and subsequent enrolment number is 1160 and given, to the School, by the children in a family. This money its admissions number is 170. For applicant on the transfer form. An is used to help finance new school transfer to Year 8, the Admissions application from a child who has buildings and equipment. Parents Committee of the Board of placed the School second in order are asked to make an additional Governors will consider, in the of preference, and who has not voluntary contribution of between first instance, those children who been offered a place in the school £72 and £216 to support whole have taken the Common Entrance of first choice, will be considered in school initiatives and general Assessment (CEA) provided by the the same way as all first preference upkeep of the buildings and Association for Quality Education applications to the School. grounds. The School’s “Charges and (AQE) and who have been awarded Remissions Policy” outlines optional a mark in the form of a standardised It is the responsibility of the parents extras of which parents may avail score. Information on this test is of the child applying to ensure that for their children. It can be found at available from the School or on the all relevant information is made www.wallacehigh.org. AQE website www.aqe.org.uk available to the School.
Respective functions of Applications for Special the Board of Governors Circumstances and Special and Principal in relation to Provisions will be considered first Admissions to the School and equally with all applications. Selection of the intake for Year 8 (see Appendix 1). has been delegated by the Board of Governors to an Admissions Committee appointed by the Board of Governors.
42 43 It should also be noted that children e) children who have a parent who Appendix 1 resident in Northern Ireland at the was a pupil of the School; Guidelines on the arrangements for time of their proposed admission Special Circumstances and Special must be admitted before any child f) children who are transferring Provision. not so resident. from primary schools from which the School has received “Explanation of Special The process for admissions, should pupils within the last five years Circumstances and Special the School have more applicants (see accompanying list) and who Provision” than places available, is as below: are the elder/eldest children in their respective families or who The purpose of a claim for Allocation of places by the are the first in the family to Special Circumstances and/ Admissions Committee of the Board transfer to a mainstream school or Special Provision is so that of Governors will be made in two or who are the only child in their a child can be assigned a score stages: family; equivalent to that which he or she would have obtained Stage 1 g) other children who are in the AQE CEA, under normal The results of the CEA will be transferring from primary conditions. Consideration of a reported as a standardised score out schools from which the claim for Special Circumstances of a maximum of 140. School has received pupils and/or Special Provision consists within the last five years (see of two parts. The first requires The standardised scores of all accompanying list); the consideration of whether applicants will be placed in rank there is, in the judgement of the order and banded in ranges of h) children *entitled to free school Admissions Committee of the a score of 5. Higher scores will meals at the time of application. Board of Governors, sufficient precede lower scores i.e.: * “entitled to free school material to permit a child to be meals” will mean children who considered as having Special 140 – 136 being the first band, are listed on the Education Circumstances or attracting 135 – 131 the second band, Authority register as entitled to Special Provision, or both. If a 130 – 126 the third band, free school meals at the date on child is permitted to be considered 125 – 121 the fourth band, which their parent has signed as having Special Circumstances 120 – 116 the fifth band, their post-primary Transfer or as attracting Special Provision 115 – 111 the sixth band, Form. If a child becomes eligible or both, the second part of 110 – 106 the seventh band, subsequent from this but prior the consideration requires 105 – 101 the eighth band, and so to the final publication by the an educational judgement on in ranges of a score of 5. Board of Governors of allocated to be made on the totality of places, i.e. Wednesday, 1 May the material presented to the Places will be allocated to all the 2019, the parent must inform Admissions Committee of the applicants in the bands above the school so that this criterion Board of Governors so that a mark the band containing the 170th can be applied to the application; equivalent to that which the child applicant. would have obtained in the AQE i) random computer generated tie- CEA under normal conditions can Stage 2 breaker. The following random be awarded. The remaining places will be selection process, as determined allocated from the applicants in by the Board of Governors and It is for parents to present all such the band containing the 170th overseen by the Admissions material as they consider will applicant by applying, in order, Committee, shall be applied assist the Admissions Committee the criteria below: to determine the remaining of the Board of Governors in applications to be accepted: performing both parts of the a) children who are attending the consideration described above. It Preparatory Department of the - each application to be should be noted by parents that School; considered at this stage is both parts of the consideration allocated a random number referred to involve an exercise b) children who have a child of the electronically generated within in judgement and not precise family enrolled in the School on Microsoft Excel; and calculation. the date of transfer; - the applications are then c) children whose twin or triplet ranked in order of the random Special Circumstances sibling(s) has (have) already number with higher numbers The School has academic been admitted to the School; having preference. performance as its first criterion, subject only to the consideration of d) children who have a child of the medical or other problems which family who attended the School; may have affected performance in the CEA and which are supported
44 by documentary evidence of a practitioner in relation to the illness tests in English and Mathematics in medical or other appropriate nature. at the time of the assessments. Year 5 and Year 6. These ‘medical or other problems’ are commonly referred to as ‘Special Where the problem is of a non- The Admissions Committee Circumstances’. medical nature, the parents should of the Board of Governors will append appropriate evidence. It consider the application for Special Parents who wish to apply to the should be noted that in all cases, Circumstances. Where Special School under Special Circumstances independent evidence will carry Circumstances are accepted, the must complete Form SC18 greater weight. Admissions Committee of the Board obtainable from the School or AQE, of Governors will determine, on the and attach it with appropriate Educational Evidence basis of the information available, a documentary evidence to the Objective documentary evidence score for the child. Such children will Transfer Form, as detailed below. must be provided by the parents. then be considered with all other This should include the score children who have received a CEA Details of Medical or Other achieved in the CEA and, where they score and the admissions criteria Problems exist, the results for the child of any applied. Where it is claimed that a child’s standardised test(s) conducted in performance in the CEA has been Year 5, Year 6 and Year 7, and the Special Provision affected by a medical or other results in any end-of-year tests in Parents can apply for Special problem, it is the responsibility of English and Mathematics in Year 5 Provision in respect of: the parents to set out in the Form and Year 6. SC18 precise details of the problem i) children whose parents wish and must append evidence to It would be useful for the them to transfer from schools corroborate its existence. Admissions Committee of the Board outside Northern Ireland; of Governors to have additional ii) children who have received more Where the problem is a medical comparative information from the than half their primary education one of short term duration, which primary school. This should include outside Northern Ireland; and affected the child only at the time of the results (without names) for iii) children entered for the CEA, the CEA, the Admissions Committee other children in the child’s Year who because of unforeseen and of the Board of Governors will give 7 class of any standardised tests serious medical or other problems greater weight to evidence that the conducted in Year 5, Year 6 and Year were unable to participate in any child was examined by a medical 7, and the results in any end-of-year of the assessments.
45 NOTE: It is expected that all those • the Admissions Committee If an application is accepted by the seeking admission should sit the of the Board of Governors Admissions Committee as meeting CEA, with the exception of those will consider any assessment the criteria for (1) Special Provision children who take up residence in information, including the child’s and (2) Special Circumstances, it will Northern Ireland after September score in the CEA, if completed; be treated as follows: 2018. • the Admissions Committee (1) Special Provision Parents who wish to apply to the of the Board of Governors If the application meets one or more School under Special Provision will determine, on the basis of the three criteria as set out at should contact the School as soon of all available assessment Special Provision above, Educational as possible. In addition, they should information, an appropriate Evidence (as defined above under complete Form SC18, obtainable score for the child. The child the heading Educational Evidence) from the School or AQE (www.aqe. will then be considered with will be considered. A CEA score will org.uk), stating the precise reason all other children who have then be assigned. why they believe the child is eligible received a CEA score and the for consideration under Special admissions criteria applied. (2) Special Circumstances Provision and provide appropriate In respect of a further consideration independent documentary Please note: of Special Circumstances as outlined evidence. A copy of SC18 and all the It is recognised that some parents above, Special Circumstances documentary evidence should be may feel that their child’s case must be contemporaneous to the attached to the Transfer Form. falls into more than one of the child sitting the AQE CEA tests. above categories. In this instance, An additional consideration of The Admissions Committee of the all evidence within the relevant the already assigned CEA score Board of Governors will consider categories should be appended to through Special Provision will the application for Special Provision. Form SC18. not be considered unless there is Where Special Provision is accepted, contemporaneous evidence which the following procedure will apply: shows that all the educational evidence provided has been impacted by these Special Circumstances.
46 It is therefore, in respect of an application for both Primary Schools from which the School Special Provision and Special has received pupils in the last five years Circumstances, the responsibility of the parents to provide Educational ANAHILT LARGYMORE Evidence (as defined above under BALLINDERRY LISBURN CENTRAL the heading Educational Evidence). BALLYCARRICKMADDY MAGHABERRY The Admissions Committee of BALLYMACASH MARALIN VILLAGE the Board of Governors will not BALLYNAHINCH MCKINNEY (DUNDROD) adjust a mark solely on the basis of statements made but not supported BEN MADIGAN PREP MEADOW BRIDGE by evidence. BOTANIC MOIRA
The Information Commissioner’s BROOKLANDS OAKWOOD INTEGRATED website www.ico.gov.uk contains BROWNLEE POND PARK guidance for parents with regard to CARNTALL RIVERDALE how to access information held by schools in relation to their child. CARR ROWANDALE INTEGRATED CARRICKERGUS MODEL SEAGOE It is the responsibility of the parents CRANMORE INTEGRATED SEYMOUR HILL to attach the requested information to Form SC18. CRUMLIN SPA DONACLONEY ST ALOYSIUS’ Duty to verify The Admissions Committee of DOWNSHIRE ST COLMAN’S the Board of Governors reserves DROMARA ST JOSEPH’S (CRUMLIN) the right to require additional DROMORE CENTRAL ST JOSEPH’S (LISBURN) information or evidence, for example, educational information, DUNMURRY ST MARY’S (DERAMORE) to determine, support or verify FAIRHILL STRANMILLIS information on the Transfer Form. The provision of false or incorrect FINAGHY TONAGH information or the failure to provide FORT HILL INTEGRATED VICTORIA COLLEGE PREP information within the deadlines FRIENDS’ PREP WALLACE PREP set by the School can result in the withdrawal of a place and the HARMONY HILL WARINGSTOWN inability to offer a place on the part KILLOWEN WILLIAM PINKERTON MEMORIAL of any school nominated on the applicant’s Transfer Form. KNOCKMORE
When considering which children For applications for a place in years The criteria used to establish a rank should be selected for admission, other than Year 8, parents must order of applications is published on the Board of Governors will only complete and return the Application www.wallacehigh.org/about/ take into account information for Admission form, available on admissions-criteria/admissions- which is detailed on or attached www.wallacehigh.org/about/ non-yr8/ to the Transfer Form. Parents admissions-criteria/admissions- should therefore ensure that all non-yr8/ Please refer to the school website information pertaining to their for guidance on admission to Sixth child and relevant to the School’s Form. Admissions Criteria is stated on the Transfer Form or attached to it. Applications and Admissions
Waiting List Policy Year Admissions No Total Applications Total Admissions If a vacancy arises and is to be i.e. All Preferences filled during Year 8, the next applicant on the original transfer 2018 170 267 176 list rank order will be contacted. This list does not transfer In 2018, the school was oversubscribed in the band containing candidates automatically into applications for with AQE Scores 101-105 and the non-academic Stage 2 criteria were other year groups. applied.
47 48 EXAMINATION RESULTS ADDITIONAL INFORMATION 2017-2018
Male Female Total SEN Year 12 81 88 169 13 Year 13 68 74 142 10 Year 14 61 70 131 8
Number % Year 12 entered for 5+ GCSEs 169 100 incl. GCSE English and Maths Year 14 entered for 2+ A Levels 131 100 Year 14 entered for 3+ A Levels 131 100
MALE % FEMALE % TOTAL % WHS WHS WHS Year 12 achieving 5 or more GCSEs at Grades A* – C 99 100 99 Year 12 achieving 5 or more GCSEs at Grades A* – C (incl. GCSE English and Maths) 99 100 99 Year 12 FSML achieving 5 or more GCSEs at Grades A* – C (incl. GCSE English and Maths) 100 100 100 Year 12 Leavers achieving 5 or more GCSEs at Grades A* – C (incl. GCSE English and Maths) 96 100 97 Year 12 FSML Leavers achieving 5 or more GCSEs at Grades A* – C (incl. GCSE English and Maths) 100 100 100
MALE % FEMALE % TOTAL % WHS WHS WHS Year 14 achieving 2 or more A-Levels at Grades A* – E (or equivalent) 100 100 100 Year 14 achieving 3 or more A-Levels at Grades A* – C (or equivalent) 92 83 87
49 WIDER WALLACE
The affection of our former pupils for the school is a source of pride to the current Leadership Team, some of whom are now teaching their second generation of Wallace pupils! In an attempt to engage more formally with a wider range of past pupils, the Old Girls’ Association voted to become a Past Pupils’ Association and a group of past pupils living and working in London held their first annual dinner. The event was generously hosted by Stuart Deignan in the historic surroundings of London’s elite Carlton Club and we hope to arrange such an event in a further UK city with Chris Henry”. Former pupil, We are currently preparing the this summer. governor and media personality, launch of our “Wallace First” Denise Watson, asked the questions Campaign; the first event is a black Chris Henry, of Ulster and Ireland and the evening was a great success. tie dinner in the Titanic Hotel in rugby fame, is the first Honorary Chris also officially opened the School February 2019. Former pupils are President of the Past Pupils’ Enhancement Project exactly 40 encouraged to visit the designated Association and we launched the years to the day that the current area on the school website and sign new association with “An Evening building in Clonevin Park was opened. up for the Past Pupils’ Association.
50
The Wallace High School Leadership Team
12A CLONEVIN PARK, LISBURN BT28 3AD T: 028 9267 2311 E: [email protected] W: www.wallacehigh.org