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Markethill High SchoolPROSPECTUS

Believe To Achieve01Markethill High School Prospectus 2022I commend to you this edition of the school prospectus which gives you information on the school. The photographs in the prospectus show different aspects of school life over a number of years. Your child has reached the stage of making a decision on their choice of Post Primary School and you will be assisting them with that very important decision.Our admission criteria for entry in September 2022 can be found on the school website markethillhighschool.netMarkethill High School is a thriving, exciting and ambitious non-selective Controlled School. The School, which is situated on a spacious site adjacent to the town, has a strong Christian ethos and works in partnership with local churches. It also enjoys very strong community links.The school aims to offer pupils a world-class education, reinforced by the most robust research-based evidence into high quality learning and teaching. In 2018 Markethill High School became the first school in Northern Ireland to introduce a unique knowledge-rich curriculum for Year 8 pupils.The purpose of the school’s new knowledge-rich curriculum is to ensure our pupils have the core knowledge and consequent domain-specific skills in order to enrich their educational experience and empower them to access the next stage in their education, find suitable employment and participate in society.The values which are embraced at Markethill High School such as respect, tolerance, responsibility, honesty and community spirit remain a constant and unshifting element embedded within the history and future of the school and are core to the school.Principal Mr C J Berry BSc PGCE PQH(NI)WELCOME

Believe To Achieve02Markethill High School Prospectus 2022Along with a number of well-equipped classrooms, the school has a full range of specialist teaching areas. These include:4 Science Laboratories; 3 ICT Suites; 2 Technology and Design Suites; 2 Home Economics Rooms; Art and Design Room including a Digital Media Suite; a Music Room with Practice Rooms; and a Library.In addition, the school has a Youth Complex, including a full sized Sports Hall which is also utilised by local youth organisations in the evenings. Outdoor facilities include football pitches, a hockey pitch, tennis courts and a poly tunnel.ACCOMMODATION

Believe To Achieve04Markethill High School Prospectus 2022The curriculum offered by this school endeavours to meet the requirements of the Education (Northern Ireland) Order 2006. The provision will be subject to the resources (teachers, facilities and equipment) present in school and the identified needs of the pupils.KEY STAGE 3 - YEARS 8-10All pupils follow broadly based courses in subjects which contribute to the Areas of Learning within the Northern Ireland Curriculum. The Areas of Learning and their contributory subjects are:• English - English;• Mathematics - Mathematics;• Environment and Society - Geography, History;• Modern Languages - French, Spanish;• Science and Technology - Science, Design and Technology;• The Arts - Art and Design, Music, Drama;• Learning for Life and Work;• Physical Education;• Religious Education;• Home Economics.• ICTThe cross-curricular themes are integrated into the schemes of work of contributory subjects, where relevant.In Year 8 and 9 pupils are placed in mixed-ability classes.In Year 10 a setting system is introduced in Maths, whereby pupils are ‘set’ by ability in order to provide an initial firm footing for GCSE studies.KEY STAGE 4 - YEARS 11 AND 12Markethill High School offers a broad range of subjects at Key Stage 4 (GCSE) in-house. The subjects offered, including academic GCSE’s, general GCSE’s and equivalence including BTEC qualifications. The school fully meets the Entitlement Framework requirements.All pupils study the following core subjects:• English (full course),• Mathematics (full course),• Science (Single, Double or Triple Award),• Religious Education (full or short course),• Physical EducationThe following subjects are additionally offered to pupils at GCSE level.• Agriculture and Land Use• BTEC Agriculture• Art and Design• Business Studies• BTEC Child Care• Design & Technology• Digital Technology• Drama• English Literature• French• Further Mathematics• Geography• History• Home Economics – Food• Learning for Life and Work• Motor Vehicle and Road Use Studies• Moving Image Arts• Music• SpanishFurthermore, a number of pupils in Years 11 and 12 travel to the SRC in Armagh one day per week to partake of Occupational Studies modules or BTEC qualifications.CURRICULUM

Believe To Achieve06Markethill High School Prospectus 2022Pupils are entered for external examinations in both Years 11 and 12, in line with the modular GCSE format. Pupils at the end of Year 12 are entered for a range of terminal GCSE papers.The Examining Board and level of examination entry chosen will be that which is most appropriate to the needs and abilities of the pupils. However, for most subjects this will be Northern Ireland Council for the Curriculum Examinations and Assessment and parents will be consulted on examination entry levels.Controlled Assessment is undertaken throughout the two years of the GCSE course.EXTERNAL EXAMINATIONSMarkethill High School places great emphasis on the provision of appropriate Pastoral Care for all pupils. A system has been designed to build up the pupils’ confidence which enables them to understand themselves as individuals and to develop sound relationships with other pupils and staff at the school.The high quality of the school’s pastoral care provision has been recognised as a strength by the Educational and Training Inspectorate (ETI).The Form Teacher assigned to each class will endeavour to build a good relationship with each pupil and is also responsible for primary guidance, counselling and discipline during years 8-10.The Form Teachers are supported by the Year Teachers, Senior Teachers in charge of Pastoral Care, the Vice-Principal and the Principal.PASTORAL CARE

Believe To Achieve08Markethill High School Prospectus 2022Markethill High School insists on very high standards of behaviour. At the start of Year 8, parents sign a contract indicating their support for the school’s behaviour management system.The school operates a merit system aimed at fostering and encouraging behaviours in all aspects of school life. Pupils can accrue ‘merit’ points which are recognised and celebrated at Special Assemblies twice a year or other functions such as special breakfasts and DVD showings. The pupils, form classes and House with the most points can receive special privileges or rewards. Pupils can attain merit points, amongst other things, for:• exceptional classwork;• exceptional homework;• stoicism;• exceptional display of gratitude;• exceptional demonstration of dignity and respect;• attending an after-school club or activity at least 5 times;• acting in an exceptionally responsible manner;• leadership and initiative.DISCIPLINEIn Year 10 advice is given on the choice of subjects for Key Stage Four.The Careers Officer from the Training and Employment Agency visits the school on a regular basis to discuss career opportunities with individual pupils in Year 12. In Year 11 pupils have the opportunity to go on ‘Work Experience’ to a place of work of their choosing for one week.CAREERS EDUCATION

Believe To Achieve10Markethill High School Prospectus 2022The school offers pupils a wide range of activities, for example Choir, Cookery Club, Drama Club, Duke of Edinburgh, Chess Club and Scripture Union.On the sporting side pupils have the opportunity to participate in football, hockey, volleyball, netball, athletics, cross-country, orienteering, rugby, tennis and other sports.Educational visits also play an important part in the curriculum offered.EXTRA CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

Believe To Achieve12Markethill High School Prospectus 2022In keeping with the principles of Assessment for Learning, it is the school’s policy that pupils are assessed on a regular basis, both through homework and through class-based continuous assessment tasks.Diagnostic, formative and summative pupil performance data is used to monitor progress and compare to targets which teachers and pupils have set.Reports are issued in December and June.All classes are tracked using the Lesson Monitor module in SIMs.All teachers keep their own class records and these are used in the standardisation and monitoring of work within subject departments.A pupil may be placed on a personal progress card if necessary, this would be issued by the Form Teacher, Year Teacher or Vice-Principal.MONITORING PUPIL PROGRESS

Believe To Achieve14Markethill High School Prospectus 2022All pupils attending Markethill High School must wear the complete and correct school uniform. Correct clothing for Physical Education is also compulsory. The school stores great importance in the maintenance of high standards as regards uniformUniform may be purchased from: Lila’s, Scotch Street, Armagh, and Moorehead’s, BessbrookUNIFORM REGULATIONSGIRLS’ UNIFORM• Markethill High School blazer and crest• School tie• Grey Markethill High School pleated skirt• White blouse• Black low-heeled shoes• White knee socks / black tights• School scarf (optional)• Black pullover (v-neck) ((optional))BOYS’ UNIFORM• Markethill High School blazer and crest• School tie• Black trousers• White shirt• Black shoes (black laces)• Black socks• School scarf (optional)• Black pullover (v-neck) ((optional))GIRLS’ P.E. UNIFORM• White T-Shirt• Black shorts• MHS hockey shirt (optional)• School hooded sweater• Skort• Black tracksuit bottoms for Winter sports• Non-marking soled trainers (for indoor use)• Black socksBOYS’ P.E. UNIFORM• Royal blue polo shirt (for indoors)• Black Shorts• MHS long-sleeved football shirt (optional)• MHS rugby / hockey shirt (optional)• School hooded sweater• Non-marking soled trainers (for indoor use)• Football boots for outdoor games• Black socksAll P.E. kit should be labelled with the owner’s name. Shinguards and gum-shields are needed for hockey and rugby. Pupils should bring a towel and deodorant for all P.E. / Games classes. We would advise pupils who are participating in Extra Curricular Activities after school, to change into track suit bottoms before leaving the school premises.SCHOOL UNIFORM• All uniform should be labelled with the owner’s name.• Only the following outdoor clothing is acceptable to and from school: a dark coat or raincoat (navy, black or grey). • A fluorescent band or strip is encouraged for dark mornings / evenings.• No hoodies are permitted to and from school and will be confiscated.• Only the school scarf should be worn. All other scarves will be confiscated.

Markethill High SchoolBelieve To Achieve

Markethill High SchoolBelieve To AchieveIf you wish to obtain further information about any aspect of the school or to discuss your child’s progress, please contact the school by telephone, in person or via email.Markethill High School, 61 Mowhan Road Markethill, Co. Armagh, BT60 1RQT: 028 3755 1270 E: info@markethillhigh.markethill.ni.sch.uk @MarkethillHighSchool | @MarkethillHigh