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Message 1 KILLICOMAINE JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL Open Event Prospectus 2025

2 OPEN EVENT 16-01-25 PROGRAMME 5:15pm – Riley Hall Hear from our Principal, enjoy musical performances by our talented pupils, and connect with our pupils as they share their experiences and achievements.  Introduction and Welcome ~ Mrs Murphy, School Principal  Orchestra ~ Finlandia  Head Boy ~ Alfie Anderson  Choir ~ Holy Forever - solo verse Leah-Rose Adams  Head Girl ~ Leah Sands  Clarinet solo ~ Gavotte - Phoebe Cordner  Choir ~ Love Story  Pupil Voice ~ Our talented pupils will share their experiences and highlight what makes KJHS a great place to learn and grow.  Orchestra ~ Pease Pudding  Senior Prefect Team will put their knowledge to the test as they share fun insights and personal experiences from their time at KJHS. Along with the Riley Hall programme there is an opportunity to tour the school and to give you a feel for the Killicomaine experience. There will be lots of KJHS tour guides to help you, they are very excited about this role. Please note: While all classrooms will be open to view, most departments will have displays and activities in a designated classroom. There will be lots of opportunities to chat with staff and pupils. Our P7 guests will be kept busy, we can’t wait to meet them! Refreshments will be in the Riley Hall throughout the evening. Take a look at our new Honours Boards celebrating our pupil leadership Head Boy and Head Girl roles. Perhaps you can help us complete the missing years ! A bell will ring at 8pm to signal the end of our evening. We hope you enjoy exploring our school !

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4 CONTENTS PAGE Page Number Open Night Programme 2 School map 3 Contents guide 4 Parent information—website and Facebook 5 Dickson Plan 6 Welcome to Killicomaine JHS - about us 7 Our school vision 8-9 KJHS School Development Plan 10 Assessment arrangements 11 Transfer at 14 12 Our school day @ KJHS 13 Pupil enhancement activities at KJHS 14 Thrive in 25 15 KJHS Admissions criteria for September 2025 16-17 Pupil advice 18-19 Friends of Killicomaine AND links with our community 20-21

5 Parent INFORMATION Our school website is the go to place to find out key information and guidance about our school. Our 2 Facebook pages (one for school and one for sport) will then give you a flavour of what life is like as a KJHS pupil. www.killicomaine.co.uk @KillicomaineJHS @KillicomaineJHS Sport

6 The Dickson Plan In 1969, the Dickson Plan was introduced as a new way of structuring education in our area. Instead of sitting academic tests at 11, pupils move seamlessly from Primary School to a Junior High School like Killicomaine for three years. This system gives our young people more time to mature, build confidence, and make informed choices about their future at age 14. It has been part of our community for over 50 years and continues to be supported by parents because it puts the needs of young people first — just as Mr. J. Dickson, its founder, intended. HOW IS THE DICKSON PLAN DIFFERENT TO THE TRANSFER SYSTEM IN THE REST OF NORTHERN IRELAND? The Dickson Plan is a child-centred form of education which allows for seamless, stress-free transfer of all P7 pupils from local Primary Schools to one of four 11-14 Junior High Schools.. There is no SEAG test . At the end of Key Stage 3 pupils transfer through a process of academic selection at 14 across a range of subjects. They will apply to transfer to one of the 14-18 schools, either Portadown College or Lurgan College, or Craigavon Senior High School. The staff across all the 7 partner schools work closely together to promote a smooth curricular and pastoral transition from Junior to Senior High. The partnership has grown from strength to strength across the Dickson Plan. KILLICOMAINE JHS IS PART OF THE DICKSON PLAN “There has been greater collaboration between the junior and senior schools within the Dickson Plan over the last three years, with a focus on strengthening curriculum links to improve pupil outcomes and to support a smooth progression to KS 4. Eleven subject departments in Killicomaine Junior High School are now working with their counterparts in the other schools. They share practice and course content, and identify areas to take forward together, in the interests of learner progression and success. “ ETI JANUARY 2025 THE 7 PARTNER SCHOOLS

7 WELCOME TO KILLICOMAINE JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL Killicomaine is an all-ability Junior High School that specialises in Key Stage 3 education. For over 67 years, we’ve built a strong reputation for academic success, cultural achievement, and sporting excellence. These are all underpinned by a caring pastoral system and a Christian ethos that shapes everything we do. Our Latin motto, Servire Honore – "To Serve with Honour" – continues to guide both staff and pupils in all aspects of school life. Visitors to KJHS often comment on the welcoming atmosphere and the impressive surroundings of our well-maintained school grounds. Situated on a spacious suburban site with mature wooded areas, our grounds provide a calm and pleasant environment for learning and socialising. We are also proud to offer excellent on-site sports facilities, including our 2G hockey pitch and tennis courts. Beyond the classroom, we aim to provide a rich and varied school experience for all our pupils. From extra curricular activities to trips and clubs, there’s something for everyone. At Killicomaine, every pupil matters, and we are proud to help each one grow, achieve, and thrive. This "Killicomaine experience" is made possible by the dedication and commitment of our staff. Our school vision WORKING TOGETHER Student Support CALC & DICKSON PLAN Schools External Student Support Eg REACH, ASPIRE, YMCA Local Ministers Governors Sport Coaches Youth Workers CEAIG FOR EXCELLENCE Academic Reading Drama Sport Music Art IN A CARING COMMUNITY Charity Pastoral care Health & safety Christian Ethos Student Support REACH & ASPIRE Mentors Pupil Voice “The pupils benefit from a broad, balanced and flexible curriculum which meets their needs and the statutory requirements of the Northern Ireland Curriculum at key stage (KS) 3. A well-planned assessment schedule enables the school to monitor closely the pupils’ progress and ensure that all have an appropriate curriculum that prepares them well for transition to KS 4..” ETI January 2025

8 Through provision of: Christian values Academic excellence Sport Drama Music Education visits Clubs and societies Pupil / Parent / Staff Voice Inclusion How do we foster and develop these?

9 Our vision and motto “The pupils and staff successfully live out their school vision in a highly respectful and supportive environment.” ETI January 2025 “The school vision is complemented and reinforced regularly through the school motto Servire Honore, to serve with honour. This is reflected in how the pupils and staff relate to one another and the high expectations they have of what they can achieve and contribute to, within and beyond the school community, through their learning, sport and charity work.” ETI January 2025

10 Improving our teaching, learning, curriculum & assessmentImproving our relationships and wellbeing Improving our leadership at all levels Improving our community links Working together for excellence in a caring community Review and update subject assessment points across school Promote & embed positive noticing Improve collaboration opportunities and meeting schedules Improve communication across school Develop Thinking matters Improve and develop reporting comments Audit of TS/PC across the school.Raise pupil achievement using MER of data and target setting Develop further use of PASS dataUse of data to address barriers to learning What additional priority actions can be adopted to progress the 4 key targets @ KJHS Manage the post ASOSA landscape KJHS - Develop time budgets – staff voice Staff wellbeing focus To continue to review curriculum offer for KS3 and ensure that the offer is compliant with the NIC- Expand the SLT role- To further improve thelearning environment- New Governors integrated into KJHS – Develop further systems of self-evaluation -– Collaboration across CALC at different levelsImprove opportunities for pupil voice across the school Develop further Dickson Plan collaboration Explicit classroom routines and KJHS lesson formula More effective use of data at all levels –Tracking for improvement Use ICT to enhance learning – Improving numeracy – Improving literacy – Developing CEIAG opportunities - Promote an improve attendance above 95%- Back to basics – KJHS What makes a great lesson? Building KJHS PLC – Establish and grow a NEW Curriculum and Assessment HOD Team – Develop further SEN provision Improve the form teacher role in PT. Develop shared education- increase parent engagement opportunities – develop houses competitions- Greater communication channelswith community – more regular pupil feedback opportunities – review of parent -staff and pupil voice 23-24 Develop pastoral programme –Review awards and behaviour system build staff capacity at all levels – Review salary policy and staff structure –– sharing practice –increase bullying awareness- increase further opportunities for pupil leadership Develop role ofform teacher – Develop Pupil Champion role- Further integrate Pastoral /Attendance Officer Manage the transition to BROMCOMKJHS School Development Plan 24-25Develop middle leader role @ KJHS School Development plan~ summary

11 NO SEAG OR ENTRANCE TEST Seamless, stress-free transfer of all P7 pupils. To facilitate transition from P7 our process relies on close collaboration with our feeder primary colleagues. We value our links with our contributory primary schools and liaise closely with our primary partners to ensure that we have the most up to date and relevant academic and pastoral information about our new Year 8 pupils. Our goal is ensuring that the staff who will have contact with our new intake will know the vital information to ensure that our new pupils settle in to post primary life at KJHS. Pupils will be allocated to a band A B or C band and then placed alphabetically into A1, A2 A3 etc. Our banding system is very fluid and there is pupil movement between the bands after each exam cycle. We use school exams, and other standardised data to monitor pupils and adjust class placement to suit individual pupil ability and progress. Class structures as of 2024/25 are as follows: 3 A classes average class size 30 3 B classes average class size 27,27,26 3 C classes average class size up to 20 These structures are reviewed annually to ensure we are meeting the needs of our new intake. ASSESSMENT and EXAMS @ KJHS Assessment is an integral part of the school curriculum.at Killicomaine JHS. Our teachers assess pupils’ progress in Year 8, both in an on-going way, referred to as Assessment for Learning, as well as in a summative way, which is Assessment of Learning through exams and tests. To challenge pupils and measure achievement through Key Stage 3, we have robust, external standardised assessments (PTE,PTM,CAT) alongside our internal exams. SCHOOL EXAMS @ kjhs An assessment booklet is published which outlines how each subject will be assessing progress and the weighting for each subject. WHAT HAPPENS AFTER EXAMS @ kjhs ? To facilitate the fluidity across the bands, following on from school exams at Christmas and Summer a review of pupil progress and attainment takes place. Senior staff make changes to ensure pupils are in the most appropriate band in Year 8 and Year 9. The aim of this is to ensure the pace of the lesson best suits their learning needs and it enables the pupils to achieve their personal best at KJHS. TARGET SETTING @ kjhs Pupils are encouraged to be fully involved in their learning, to review their work and set targets for improvement which helps develop self-responsibility and independence. Each year, following the Christmas and summer school examinations, pupils take time in their Form Class to review their performance in all subjects and set targets for improvement. “Planning, teaching and assessment were effective in promoting successful learning across almost all (more than 90%) lessons observed; the pupils apply their learning confidently in real-life contexts across the curriculum and develop well their thinking skills and personal capabilities.” ETI January 2025

12 TRANSFER AT 14—What happens in Year 10 ? In Year 10 our 2 exam cycles (Christmas and Easter) contribute to an overall transfer score and rank used to determine entry to senior schools in the Dickson Plan system. Pupils in A and B band will be eligible to complete transfer exams in Year 10 for potential entry into Portadown College (grammar school). Pupils in C band are eligible to complete Year 10 transfers for Craigavon Senior High School and have a range of pathways available according to academic achievement in Year 10 transfer exams. Both our senior schools within the Dickson Plan, Craigavon Senior High School and Portadown College, offer excellent pathways to GCSE and/or BTEC and vocational options. “ A well-planned assessment schedule enables the school to monitor closely the pupils’ progress and ensure that all have an appropriate curriculum that prepares them well for transition to KS 4..” ETI January 2025 Senior school destinations OVER THE PAST 3 YEARS

13 A KJHS School day 2024-25 Monday 9:00am Tuesday 9:00am Wednesday 9:00am Thursday 9:15am Friday 9:00am Doors open 8:40 and lock at 9am- latecomers via main door Doors open 8:40 and lock at 9am- latecomers via main door Doors open 8:40 and lock at 9am- late-comers Doors open 9:00 and lock at 9:15am- latecom-ers via main door Doors open 8:40 and lock at 9am- latecomers via main door ASSEMBLY 9:00-9:10am Extended reg 9.00 – 9.20 AM ASSEMBLY 9:00-9:10am DELAYED START ASSEMBLY 9:00-9:20am REG 9:15-9:20AM REG 9:15-9:20AM REG Period 1 REG Period 1 Period 1 Period 2 9.55–10.25 10:25-10:45AM Breaktime Period 3 10.45–11.15 Period 4 11.15–11.50 Period 5 11.50–12.25 Period 6 12.25–1.00 12.25 – 1.00 PM EARLY DINNER 1.00-1.35PM LATE DINNER Period 7 1.00–1.35 Period 8 1.35–2.10 Period 9. 2:10–2.45 Period 10 2.45–3.15

14 Pupil Enhancement Programme 24-25 Enhancement Location Time Staff member Further information MONDAY ASPIRE Rm 4 3.15pm–4.15pm Invite only Early bird Reading/Study Time Library 8.10am-9.00am McAllister Limited places Support Club Rm 36 8.30am–9.00am MAX+ TUESDAY Eco Club Rm 5 Breaktime BAL/SPR Starts 17/9 Early bird Reading/Study Time Library 8.10am-9.00am McAllister Limited places English Q&A Rm39 3.15pm-4.00pm DGN Gardening Club Pilates Rm 29 3.15pm-4.00pm HTN Starts 10/9 until 22/10 Wintertime ICT Club Rm 1 3.15pm–4.00pm ORB Starts 1/10 Knitting for Beginners Christmas Yarn Wreaths Sewing Club (Yr 10 only) Rm 9 Rm 9 TBC 3.15pm-4.00pm 3.15pm-4.00pm 3.15pm-4.00pm HDN HDN HDN 24/9, 3/10, 10/10 (max of 10 pupils) 12/11, 3/12, 10/12 (max of 10 pupils) TBC Scripture Union Rm 37 3.15pm–4.15pm FPY/CBL SWT/BGM Starts 10/9 Support Club Rm 36 3.15pm–3.45pm MAX+ TD Club (Yr 9) TD Dept 3.15pm-4.15pm SLN Starts 17/9 WEDNESDAY ASPIRE Rm 4 3.15pm–4.15pm Invite only Art Club (Al Yr groups) Rm 34 3.15pm–4.15pm Dav Starts 25/9 Chess Club Library Both Lunches McAllister Choir Rm 31 3.15pm–4.00pm COR Early bird Reading/Study Time Lib 8.10pm-9.00pm McAllister Limited places Maths (drop in clinic) Rm 14 & 15 3.15pm-4.15pm PCY/CBN Starting 11/9 Mighty Bakers (Yr 8 only) Rm 30 3.15pm-4.15pm FIN 25/9, 2/10 & 9/10 Christmas Mighty Bakers (Yr 8-10) Rm 30 3.15pm– 4.15pm FIN 4/12 & 11/12 Support Club Rm 36 8.30am-9.00am MAX+ THURSDAY Art Club (All Yr groups) Rm35 3.15pm-4.15pm HGN Starts 19/9 Bookclub (Yr 8 only) Library Early lunch (Every other week) McAllister Starts 19/9 Early bird Reading/Study Time Lib 8.10am-9.00am McAllister Limited places Orchestra Rm 31 3.15pm–4.00pm COR Support Club Rm 36 3.15pm–3.45pm MAX+ FRIDAY Bookclub (Yr 9 & 10) Library Late lunch (Every other week) McAllister Starts 27/9 Early bird Reading/Study Time Lib 8.10am-9.00am McAllister Limited places Support Club Rm 36 8.30am–9.00am MAX+ We had over 30 EXTRA AND Co-CURRICULAR OPTIONS Sept—Dec 2024!! check it out! IN ADDITION TO THIS WE ARE BUSY WITH OUR SCHOOL PRODUCTION OF - “The curriculum is enriched by a broad range of extra-curricular activities including sporting, creative arts and support activities before, during and after school. “ ETI JANUARY 2025

15 Kjhs~ The place to be in September 2025

16 KILLICOMAINE JHS ~ Admissions criteria for entry September 2025

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20 CAPTURE THE CUP SCHOOL QUIZ SHARED EDUCATION WITH ST JOHN THE BAPTIST COLLEGE Exciting details coming soon ! KJHS COMMUNITY LINKS

21 CAPTURE THE CUP SCHOOL QUIZ WE ARE DELIGHTED TO HAVE SO MUCH COMMUNITY SUPPORT WITH OUR SPORTS CLUBS ! Kjhs COMMUNITY LINKS THANKFUL FOR SPONSORSHIP LUNCHTIME PRAY AND PASSING WITH PAUL MCILWAINE ~AZTECS VOLLEYBALL CLUB THANKFUL TO HAVE SO MUCH COMMUNITY SUPPORT TO HELP WITH OUR SPORTS CLUBS!

22 Upper Church Lane Portadown Craigavon, Northern Ireland BT63 5JE Tel: 028 3833 2021 Fax: 028 3835 0823 www.killicomaine.co.uk