Prospectus Our Lady of Lourdes School Ballymoney Caring, Sharing, Learning together to meet the future Our Lady of Lourdes 01 School Ballymoney It is with a great sense of satisfaction that we introduce the work of our school to you through this Prospectus. At Our Lady of Lourdes We celebrate the recent publication of our Inspection School we do our very Report by the Education and Training Inspectorate following best to ensure that all our the school’s recent and very successful School Inspection in children hold a positive view November 2015. The ETI uses a variety of inspection outcomes of themselves and are ready when evaluating the effectiveness of a school and Our Lady of to approach the future with Lourdes School was found to be highly effective, ranked in the confidence. We build pupils best category possible (the top outcome), where the school up; we educate to achieve was found to have a ‘high level of capacity for sustained “human fullness”. We continue improvement in the interests of all the learners.’ to strive for excellence in all aspects of school life and As an all-ability school, we are particularly proud of our have achieved outstanding excellent examination achievements as noted by ETI 2015 success in academic outcomes, in the wide variety of our extra- –“The results in public examinations at Key Stage 4 are a curricular activities and in a wide range of community service significant strength of the work of the school. Over the past projects and charities whilst maintaining a warm, friendly school three years, the percentage of pupils attaining five or more environment where the care and welfare of our pupils is of the GCSE examinations or equivalent at grades A* to C has utmost importance. been significantly above the NI average for non-selective schools in the same free school meal band. When English and This school, in striving to meet the challenges of providing Mathematics are included, the percentage of pupils attaining a quality education in the 21st Century, has a clear and grades A* to C at GCSE or equivalent is similarly significantly progressive agreed, purpose and vision, which is Caring Sharing above the NI average for similar schools. Over the past three Learning together to meet the future. We provide a stable and years, the school’s examination outcomes are in the top loyal leadership and a cohesive, unified staff. As a consequence, 5%, when compared with similar schools. Over four-fifths Our Lady of Lourdes School Ballymoney was honoured in June of the leavers access courses in Further Education, which is 2004 December 2007 and 2011 with the prestigious award of significantly above the NI average.” Investor in People. In Our Lady of Lourdes School we have an ethos which Our Lady of Lourdes School is growing steadily in terms of enables us to give our children an education, a gift, a belief that pupils joining the school. The school continues to attract pupils our pupils are beautiful as they are because they are a child of from across the whole ability range, and boys and girls of all God and as a community we strive to do little things with great abilities are thriving in our distinct small-school ethos and in our love realising that no single act of love will ever be lost. vision of enabling each individual pupil to bring light and dignity to the world - no child held back nor left behind. We are proud of our pupils; their appearance, their conduct, their respect for themselves, others and for the school property. These are all sources of great encouragement in the Miss E Gillan present and of good hope for the future. Furthermore, their Principal attendance is superb maintaining the position of the school in the top 5% of its kind in Northern Ireland. The pupils continue to grow in wisdom and flourish under the daily guidance and inspiration of a very able and extremely hardworking staff. We place a strong emphasis on providing our pupils with a wide range of extra-curricular opportunities; for example, Ski Trip, Hurling, Netball, Gaelic Football, Soccer, Camogie, Athletics, Dance, Drama, Glee Choir, Irish Dancing, Table Tennis, and Music play a significant part in the life of the school, as do a variety of educational outings and inter-school activities. Our Lady of Lourdes School Ballymoney 02 Contents Welcome 1 Our School Poem 2 Learning and Teaching School Ethos & Aims 5 The Curriculum 6 Pastoral Care 8 Anti-bulllying Drugs Education Child Protection - School Policy 9 Procedures Attendance Reward and Responsibility - Reward system Promoting Positive Behaviour 11 Learning Resource Centre 12 Assessment and Reporting Our Homework Policy 13 Charging and Remissions Policy Sport 16 Extra-Curricular Activities 17 The School Day 20 School Uniform Clothing Grant Transport Free School Meals Transition Year 8 21 Careers Education, Information 22 and Guidance “Our Lady of Lourdes School provides a quality Catholic education, taking our inspiration from the vision experienced by St Bernadette, who saw the future, touched the hearts and minds of people and, in doing so, changed the world.” Miss E Gillan, Principal Our Lady of Lourdes 03 School Ballymoney Our Lady of Lourdes School Ballymoney 04 ‘Our School’ celebrates excellent Inspection Report We are celebrating the publication of the Inspection Report by the Education and Training Inspectorate (ETI) following the school’s recent and very successful School Inspection. The ETI uses a variety of inspection outcomes when evaluating the effectiveness of a school and Our Lady of Lourdes School was found to be highly effective, ranked in the best category possible (the top outcome), where the school was found to have a ‘high level of capacity for sustained improvement in the interests of all the learners.’ (ETI 2015) Our Lady of Lourdes 05 School Ballymoney Learning and Teaching School Ethos School Aims Learning and Teaching is central to life at Our Lady Of Lourdes The aim of our Learning and Teaching Policy is to provide a clear School. Good classroom management and a high quality of teaching statement of the principle and practice of learning and teaching at have the greatest impact on our children’s learning and the standards Our Lady of Lourdes School. This statement represents our agreed that they attain. view of how our children learn and how we intend to encourage and support that learning. It provides a framework which enables teachers We give consideration to individual children’s difficulties and therefore and support staff to be confident in developing their own practice and recognise the need to develop, use and adapt strategies and structures ensures that we are consistent in the way we work with our pupils. which allow all our children to access the curriculum and realise their fullest potential. We aim to help our children to: Within the consistency of teaching practice we recognise the • Enjoy their learning through experiencing success and by importance of flexibility, empathy and understanding in meeting increasing their self esteem individual needs. We acknowledge that children learn in different • Become increasingly independent and confident learners ways, through a variety of experiences. • Feel secure and comfortable in school • Acquire the necessary skills for learning, now and in the future, by At Our lady of Lourdes School we provide a stimulating professional developing lively, enquiring minds and the ability to question, learning community where initiative, co-operation and participation in share ideas and work co operatively the development and implementation of excellent school policies and • Recognise and develop their own personal skills to the best of practice is valued and encouraged. their ability • Access a rich, balanced and relevant curriculum in a variety of We maintain close partnerships with parents in their child’s education ways. This includes encouraging creativity and self expression and promote real and on-going communication between home and • Use language and number effectively, as a foundation for school as a vital component of each child developing his/her potential. learning, and to develop confidence in all areas of the curriculum • Develop an understanding of other beliefs, cultures and ways of life Our Lady of Lourdes School Ballymoney 06 The Curriculum Subjects at key stage 3 • Art and Design • French • Geography • Home Economics • Mathematics • Physical Education • Technology and Design • Drama • English • Irish • History • ICT • Music • Religious Education • Personal, Social • Citizenship & Health Education Subjects at key stage 4 In Years 11 and 12, pupils are required to follow a broad and balanced curriculum and to undertake nine subjects for GCSE. Pupils undertake a core of compulsory subjects and, in order to achieve a broad and balanced education, they also make choices from a range of optional subjects. A number of subjects at GCSE are provided in conjunction with Ballymoney School and Dalriada School. KS4 Curriculum • English • Mathematics • Science (Single or • Learning for Life and Work Double Award) • Physical Education • Occupational Studies • Careers (Double Award) • GCSE Business Studies • Religious Education • Engineering • Moving Image Arts • Geography • History • Home Economics • Physical Education • Drama “Our Lady of Lourdes • Technology and Design • Art & Design • Road Traffic Studies • ICT • Performing Arts • Agriculture strives at all times to maintain a harmonious atmosphere” Our Lady of Lourdes 07 School Ballymoney Most pupils are well- motivated and engage purposefully in lessons. They present for school in an exemplary manner, are friendly and welcoming and take pride in their work. By Year 12, the majority of pupils are well-prepared for the next stage of their education and life. When matched against their entry profile, most achieve high outcomes, which reflect the significant added-value provided by the school. The pupils with special educational needs achieve exceptionally well and follow suitable careers pathways that enable them to progress to Further Education, training or employment.