MHS Prospectus 2024 : simplebooklet.com

WELCOMEI commend to you this edition of the school prospectus which gives you information on the school.Your child has reached the stage of deciding on their choice of Post Primary School and you will be assisting them with that very important decision.Markethill High School is a sector leading, child centred, all ability school which creates, shapes and supports happy and successful pupils through an essential fusion of academic and pastoral needs.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 offers pupils high quality learning and teaching and Markethill High School continues to follow a unique knowledge-rich curriculum.The purpose of the school’s knowledge-rich curriculum is to ensure our pupils have the core knowledge and relevant skills 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 include honesty, kindness, positivity, resilience and respect and together these reﬂect our school motto:Mind | Heart | SoulOur school Open Night will be held on Tuesday 16th January 2024. This will give you an opportunity to see around the school and to meet pupils and staff. If you require any further information on the school, please contact the school ofﬁce.Principal Mr C. J Berry BSc PGCE PQH(NI)MindHeartSoul

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02 Markethill High School Prospectus 2024Along with a number of well-equipped classrooms, the school has a full range of specialist teaching areas. These include:4 Science Laboratories; 2 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; 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.In 2024 we will launch the opening of our new state of the art nurture space to further support pupils with additional needs.ACCOMMODATION

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04 Markethill High School Prospectus 2024The 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.• ICTIn Years 8,9 and 10 pupils are placed in mixed-ability classes. However, where possible, pupils will be ‘set’ by ability in the core subjects of English, Maths and Science. This will 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 and OCN 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 Education• CareersThe following subjects are additionally offered to pupils at GCSE level.• Agriculture and Land Use• BTEC Animal Care• Art and Design• Business Studies• Digital Technology• Drama• English Literature• French• Further Mathematics• Geography• History• Home Economics – Food• Information Technology Applications• Learning for Life and Work• Motor Vehicle and Road Use Studies• Moving Image Arts• Music• Prince’s Trust• Spanish• Technology and DesignFurthermore, 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

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06 Markethill High School Prospectus 2024Pupils 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 8-12.The Form Teachers are supported by the Year Heads, Senior Teachers in charge of Pastoral Care, the Vice-Principal and the Principal.PASTORAL CARE

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08 Markethill High School Prospectus 2024Markethill High School insists on very high standards of behaviour. At the start of each year, parents sign a contract indicating their support for all elements of school life.The school operates a popular merit system aimed at fostering and encouraging positive behaviours in all aspects of school life. Pupils can accrue ‘merit’ points which are recognised and celebrated throughout the academic year. The pupils and form classes with the most points can receive special privileges or rewards.Pupils can attain merit points, amongst other things, for:• care and courtesy;• excellent written work/homework;• excellent contribution to extra-curricular activities;• full attendance;• motivation/enthusiasm/positivity;• showing improvement within a class test; and• trying hard/making good progress.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

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10 Markethill High School Prospectus 2024The school offers pupils a wide range of activities, for example Choir, Cookery Club, Drama Club, Duke of Edinburgh, Chess Club, STEM Club and Scripture Union.On the sporting side pupils have the opportunity to participate in football, hockey, volleyball, badminton, athletics, orienteering, rugby, tennis and other sports.Educational visits also play an important part in the curriculum offered, including trips closer to home and abroad.EXTRA CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

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12 Markethill High School Prospectus 2024In 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 some level of further support or intervention, as and when required.MONITORING PUPIL PROGRESS

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14 Markethill High School Prospectus 2024All pupils attending Markethill High School must wear the complete and correct school uniform. Correct clothing for Physical Education is also compulsory. The school insists on high standards of uniform at all times.Uniform may be purchased from: Lila’s, Scotch Street, Armagh, and Moorehead’s, Bessbrook.UNIFORM REGULATIONSGIRLS’ UNIFORM• Markethill High School blazer and crest• School tie• Grey Markethill High School pleated skirt• White blouse• Black, leather, 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 leather 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 insist 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.

MHS Prospectus 2024

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