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Markethill High School PROSPECTUS

WELCOME I commend to you this edition of the school prospectus which gives you information on the school 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 Markethill 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 In 2017 the Education and Training Inspectorate of Northern Ireland concluded that the standards and outcomes at Markethill High School were significantly above those in similar schools 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 Markethill High School Prospectus 2020 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 We welcome you to visit us on our Open Evening on Wednesday 8th January 2020 at 6 45pm Principal Mr C J Berry BSc PGCE PQH NI 01 Believe To Achieve

ACCOMMODATION Along with a number of well equipped classrooms the school has a full range of specialist teaching areas These include 4 Science Laboratories 2 Information Technology Suites 2 Technology and Design Suites 2 Home Economics Rooms 2 Art and Design Rooms 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 2 football pitches a 2G Astro Turf all weather hockey pitch and tennis courts The school s Art and Music Departments underwent major renovation and refurbishment in 2013 and now include a new Apple Mac suite a new recording studio and state of the art facilities for the Arts In 2016 a major Science facility was constructed and the school s Dining Hall was renovated In 2017 a new poly tunnel was constructed with help from local businesses in support of studies in agriculture and land use Markethill High School Prospectus 2020 02 Believe To Achieve

CURRICULUM The 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 10 All 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 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 The following subjects are additionally offered to pupils at GCSE level KEY STAGE 4 YEARS 11 AND 12 BTEC Agriculture Markethill High School offers one of the broadest range of subjects at Key Stage 4 GCSE in house 33 subjects are offered including academic GCSE s general GCSE s and equivalence including BTEC qualifications The school fully meets Entitlement Framework requirements English English All pupils study the following core subjects Mathematics Mathematics English full course Environment and Society Geography History Mathematics full course Modern Languages French Spanish Science Single Double or Triple Award Science and Technology Science Design and Technology Religious Education full or short course Art and Design Business Studies BTEC Applied Business BTEC Child Care Construction Design Technology Digital Technology Drama Physical Education English Literature French Further Mathematics Geography The Arts Art and Design Music Drama History Learning for Life and Work Home Economics Food Physical Education Learning for Life and Work Religious Education Motor Vehicle and Road Use Studies Home Economics Moving Image Arts ICT Music The cross curricular themes are integrated into the schemes of work of contributory subjects where relevant Spanish Furthermore 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 In Year 8 and 9 pupils are placed in mixed ability classes with all pupils undertaking two Modern Languages French and Spanish in Years 9 and 10 Markethill High School Prospectus 2020 Agriculture and Land Use 04 Believe To Achieve

EXTERNAL EXAMINATIONS Pupils 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 and monthly information is posted on the school s website for parents CAREERS EDUCATION In 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 Markethill High School Prospectus 2020 06 Believe To Achieve

PASTORAL CARE Markethill 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 Form Teachers are supported by the Year Teachers Senior Teachers in charge of Pastoral Care the Vice Principal and the Principal 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 DISCIPLINE Markethill 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 exceptional classwork 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 display of gratitude Markethill High School Prospectus 2020 exceptional homework stoicism 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 08 Believe To Achieve

EXTRA CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES The 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 Year 8 pupils are encouraged to attend a day at Lurgaboy Adventure Centre while educational visits also play an important part in the curriculum offered Markethill High School Prospectus 2020 10 Believe To Achieve

MONITORING PUPIL PROGRESS In 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 Markethill High School Prospectus 2020 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 12 Believe To Achieve

SCHOOL UNIFORM All 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 uniform GIRLS P E UNIFORM White T Shirt Black shorts MHS hockey shirt optional Uniform may be purchased from Lila s Scotch Street Armagh and Moorehead s Bessbrook School hooded sweater Skort Black tracksuit bottoms for Winter sports UNIFORM REGULATIONS Non marking soled trainers for indoor use Black socks GIRLS UNIFORM BOYS UNIFORM Markethill High School blazer and crest Markethill High School blazer and crest BOYS P E UNIFORM School tie School tie Royal blue polo shirt for indoors Grey Markethill High School pleated skirt Black trousers Black Shorts White blouse White shirt Black low heeled shoes Black shoes black laces White knee socks black tights Black socks School scarf optional School scarf optional Black pullover v neck optional Black pullover v neck optional MHS long sleeved football shirt optional School hooded sweater Non marking soled trainers for indoor use Football boots for outdoor games Black socks All 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 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 School Prospectus 2020 MHS rugby hockey shirt optional 14 Believe To Achieve

Markethill High School Believe To Achieve

Markethill High School Believe To Achieve If 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 1RQ T 028 3755 1270 E info markethillhigh markethill ni sch uk MarkethillHighSchool MarkethillHigh