The school’s consistently excellent academic results reflect the high standards of teaching. Teaching is organised through academic departments led by a Head of Department. Schemes of work which comply with current statutory regulations are also designed to ensure a breadth of knowledge, an enjoyment of learning and the skills and values necessary for life. There is a culture of self evaluation within all departments which ensures that they remain responsive to changes in education and are open to the individual needs of pupils. In addition, departments stimulate individual interests and abilities by regular involvement in a wide variety of competitions.

Key Stage 3

At this stage, we aim to foster an early interest in a wide range of subjects and begin the process of preparing the girls for the challenges of a modern world.  Hence all pupils are given an introduction to ICT and the creative and expressive areas of Music, Drama, Art and PE form a significant part of the curriculum. The pastoral dimension includes Relationships and Sexuality Education, Education for Employability and Local and Global Citizenship. Girls are given the opportunity to receive accreditation for ICT at Key Stage 3. There is currently assessment at the end of Key Stage 3 in English, Maths

and Science.

Our curriculum is designed to develop each of our pupils as: individuals; contributors to society; and contributors to the economy and the environment. Each Area of Learning (AoL) will develop the necessary skills and capabilities which allow the 3 main curricular objectives to be met.  Also, the AoLs will formally address the following cross-curricular skills: Communication, Using Mathematics and Using ICT.

AREA OF LEARNING	SUBJECTS
The Arts	Art and Design
	Drama
	Music
Language and Literacy	English
Mathematics and Numeracy	Mathematics
Modern Languages	French
	Irish
	Spanish
Environment and Society	History
	Geography
Science and Technology	Technology and Design
	Science
Learning for Life and Work	Home Economics
	Relationships & Sexuality Education
	Local and Global Citizenship
Physical Education	Physical Education
Religious Education	Religious Education

Key Stage 4 

In their final year of Key Stage 3, pupils choose an individual package of subjects which enables them to develop their individual strengths and opens to them a wide range of career options.

Assessment at the end of Key Stage 4 is through GCSE examinations.  All pupils take non-examination courses in Relationships and Sexuality Education, Citizenship, Education for Employability and Physical Education.  A GCSE course is also offered in Learning for Life and Work.

The subjects available in Key Stage 4 are:

Students may study both History and Geography and more than one language.

Most students study 10 GCSE subjects, composed of the requirements listed above and a choice of 1 or 2 from the following optional list:

OPTIONAL SUBJECTS
Additional Mathematics	Journalism
Art and Design	Music
Business Studies	Physical Education
Drama	Technology and Design
Home Economics	Latin
Information and Communications Technology

Girls enter Sixth Form after successful completion of GCSE. An extensive range of 28 subjects (including both academic and applied) is available and pupils choose 3 or 4 of these to AS and A2 level.

The Sixth Form curriculum is designed to give students the maximum academic opportunities in subject choice and careers options. While there is a strong emphasis on the academic side of the student’s life, we also aim to develop the skills and personal competencies necessary for the vocational dimension. Over and above these, we look for the emergence of a mature, well balanced and happy person.

The subjects available in our Sixth Form are:

SUBJECTS
Art and Design	Biology	Business Studies
Applied Business	Chemistry	Economics
English Literature	French	Geography
Health and Social Care	History	History and Appreciation of Art
Home Economics	Applied ICT	ICT
Irish	Latin	Mathematics
Music	Physical Education	Physics
Psychology	Government and Politics	Religious Studies
Spanish	Sociology	Technology and Design
Theatre Studies

Pupils are encouraged to maintain breadth of interests through the curriculum enrichment programme which we offer. This includes a range of courses: Cooking for Pleasure and a Healthy Lifestyle; First Aid; Counselling; European Studies; Deaf Awareness and Sign Language; Current Affairs; Engineering Education; Public Speaking; Leadership Training (ASPIRE); Digital Film Editing; Certificate of Personal Effectiveness and Leisure Activities which include Aerobics, Bowling, Ice Skating, Horse riding, Swimming and Fitness Training.

Pupils are prepared for entry into Universities and colleges of further education. Over 90% proceed to higher education. A number of Sixth Form pupils apply for OxbridgeUniversities and each year a growing number of pupils is accepted. In addition to GCSE and A Levels, pupils are prepared for various other external qualifications such as Associated Board Examinations of the Royal School of Music and accredited courses in European Studies and Deaf Awareness.

Any issue regarding the school’s policy on curriculum, may be referred to the Board of Governors. The school has an excellent academic record of pupil success in examinations and in additional competitions.