Sullivan Upper School 2024 Prospectus : simplebooklet.com

3“AT SULLIVAN WE VALUE INDIVIDUALS AND AIM TO GET THE VERY BEST FROM ALL THE GIRLS AND BOYS WHO COME HERE.”A WELCOMEFROM THE PRINCIPALThank you for your interest in Sullivan Upper School. You will find in our prospectus a whole range of information about the school. Sullivan Upper is a co-educational, non-denominational, voluntary grammar school, with about 1070 pupils aged 11-18 (and a further 190 aged 4-11 in the preparatory department). At Sullivan the individual is at the heart of what we do, and we aim to enable our pupils to achieve their full potential, both inside and outside the classroom. Academically we have very high standards but we also combine this with a highly skilled and supportive pastoral care system and a wide range of extracurricular activities. We place great emphasis on our pupils enjoying their education and work hard to ensure they are happy, confident, resilient learners. The information provided is to help you decide if Sullivan is the school for you.If there is any other information you require, or points that need clarifying, please ask - we will be happy to help. To make individual appointments to see me, please contact my Personal Assistant, Mrs Amanda Graham, at the school. With best wishes.C J D MAIRS Principal“Established in 1877; the fullment of a dream and the honour of a legacy”There is an emphasis on academic achievement and also an acceptance and nurture of all pupils, regardless of their diverse backgrounds and beliefs.

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9A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A PUPILPERIOD TIMEFORM BASE & ASSEMBLY 8:50 amPERIOD 1 9:10 amPERIOD 2 9:40 amPERIOD 3 10:15 amPERIOD 4 10:45 amBREAK 11:20 amPERIOD 5 11:35 amPERIOD 6 12:05 pmPERIOD 7A/LUNCH 1 12:40 pmPERIOD 7B/LUNCH 2 1:20 pmPERIOD 8 1:50 pmPERIOD 9 2:25 pmPERIOD 10 2:55 pmAFTER SCHOOL ACTIVITIES 3:30 pm“THE TEACHERS MAKE LEARNING FUN ANDCHALLENGING. THEY ARE ENCOURAGING AND WILL ALWAYS BE THERE IF YOU NEED HELP. THEY STRIVE TO MAKE YOU BECOME THE BEST VERSION OF YOU.”“I WAS QUITE NERVOUS ABOUT COMING TO SULLIVAN, ESPECIALLY ON THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL, BUT THE TEACHERS WERE ALL SO FRIENDLY AND THERE WAS NOTHING TO WORRY ABOUT”

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13Regulation box pleat mid-grey skirt with adjustable waist, the hem should be below the knee OR plain dark-grey trousers.Regulation blazer to be worn to/from school and to/from class.Plain white shirts. A t-shirt worn beneath the shirt must not be coloured or patterned.BOYS: Plain laced shoes, regularlypolished.GIRLS: Plain, black laced leather shoes of traditional style with rounded toes. Heels no higher than 3 cms.WHAT WE WEAR & HOW WE WEAR ITOur uniform regulations have been designed for the benefit of parents, pupils and the school. You are asked to co-operate and conform in order to maintain reasonable standards for every pupil. If you have any problems or difficulties in purchasing uniform, please contact Mrs C Moore, Vice-Principal (Pastoral) at school. To see our full Uniform regulation and description, please click the link below.Uniform Policy Hair should be clean, neat and tidy.Plain black flannels. Fashion trousers should not be worn.Regulation school blazer with your House badge, in melton cloth.Hair should be neat and of a style suitable for wearing with a smart uniform. “ONE OF MY FAVOURITE THINGS IS HAVING SO MUCH FUN WITH MY NEWLY MADE FRIENDS IN THE EXTENSIVE PLAYGROUNDS.”

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15TRAVELWhether you come by bus, car, train, bicycle or on foot – you are definitely heading in the right direction when you come to Sullivan! Click HERE for more Translink information.“YOU SHOULD TRY TO MAKE AS MANY FRIENDS AS YOU CAN AND BE AS FRIENDLY, KIND AND RESPECTFUL AS POSSIBLE”We want to know what you think and we listen to you when it comes to making decisions about the running of the school. Our School Council consists of pupils from every year group and are selected by you. They will express your views to the school’s Senior Leadership Team.CURRICULUMSullivan offers a broad and balanced curriculum and aims to give every child the opportunity to experience success in learning and achieve as high a standard as possible. You will enjoy an exciting range of subjects which will meet your needs and prepare you for the rapidly changing world we live in.For further details regarding our curriculum at KS3, KS4 and KS5 can be accessed HERE.“I HAVE FOUND ALL THE PUPILS AND STAFF REALLY FRIENDLY AND I LOVE BEING CREATIVE IN SUBJECTS LIKE ART, DRAMA AND MUSIC!”PUPILVOICEWE ARE VERY PROUD OF OUR HERITAGE AND ENDEAVOUR TO UPHOLD THE HIGH STANDARDS EXHIBITED BY OUR FOUNDER.Sullivan Upper School is named after Robert Sullivan who was a renowned educationalist, born in Holywood in 1800. When he died in 1868, he bequeathed a sum of £4,000 for the establishment of Sullivan Upper School in 1877. The first Sullivan School was situated in High Street, and it is now the Holywood Library. You should go down for a visit!Sullivan not only bears the Sullivan name but also the family motto and coat of arms. Check out the badge on our blazer. The school motto is “lamh foisdineach an uachtar” which means, “with the gentle hand foremost” and acts as a reminder to the Sullivan community about the virtue of gentleness in dealing with others. Here at Sullivan we also subscribe to Dr Sullivan’s desire to “bestow the blessings of education on all succeeding generations in this native place”. We are very proud of our heritage and endeavour to uphold the high standards exhibited by our founder.WHAT’S IN A NAME?

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17EXTRA CURRICULAR SULLIVAN IS NOT JUST ABOUT ACADEMIC LEARNINGHISTORY TRIPDRAMA TOURHOCKEY TOURArmy Cadet Force Athletics Badminton Book Club Chess Club Creative WritingCricket: Girls & Boys Christian UnionChristians in SportCookery ClubCross Country Debating Drama: Senior & Junior Duke of Edinburgh Award Fencing Golf GymnasticsHockey: Girls & Boys Lego ClubLibrary ClubMusic Junior Choir Orchestra Percussion Ensemble School Band Sullivan Singers Netball Politics Society Public Speaking Rugby Football: Girls & Boys School Ski Trip Tennis School Magazine Club Swimming Warhammer ClubYoung Enterprise ULSTER HALL CONCERTRUGBY HOCKEY WE OFFER MANY EXCITING EXPERIENCES BEYOND THE CLASSROOM… SO TRY THEM OUT! LEARN NEW SKILLS AND MAKE NEW FRIENDS…THE POSSIBILITIES ARE ENDLESS!

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19YOUR GRUB HUBThe school dining hall is known as the Silver Robin Restaurant. Its lower floor provides a cafe-style lunch and the upper floor has a sandwich/snack bar and is also available for pupils who bring packed lunches. Payment is cashless; you use your finger!THE HOUSE SYSTEMPASSION NEVER FAILSYou are assigned a House on entry to the school and family connections are honoured. The school has 4 Houses: GRANT (Green), McALESTER (Blue), PRAEGER (Red), SPEERS (Yellow). The pupil’s House is reflected in the colour of the badge on their blazer. The names of the Houses pay tribute to former members of our school community who were held in high esteem: Rev Charles McAlester (first Chairman of the Board of Governors), Grant and Speers (after 2 previous Headmasters) and Praeger (after former pupils, Rosamund and Lloyd, who excelled in the areas of sculpture and natural science). HOUSE MUSIC“THE FOOD IS DELICIOUS AND THE CANTEEN STAFF ARE REALLY KIND.”COUNSELLING SERVICEThe school benefits from the services of an independent counselling service, provided by FamilyWorks and an additional school counsellor funded by the school. Counselling is available 3 days per week. Pupils can make a self-referral using one of the drop boxes, via email or through the school nurse. A concerned parent or member of staff is also able to make a recommendation.SPECIAL EDUCATIONAL NEEDSOur Special Needs Coordinator and Assistant Special Needs Coordinator are supported by Mrs Moore, Vice-Principal (Pastoral) and a dedicated team of adult assistants. They oversee the provision for pupils with special educational needs and the SEN team works closely with external agencies, parents and primary schools to provide staff with the information they require to ensure pupils experience a smooth transition into Year 8.FORM BASEPupils joining Year 8 are assigned to one of five form classes. It is our aim to promote good relationships and effective communication between everyone in the school community and, therefore, pupils and parents are encouraged to talk to the Form Teachers to share concerns early, so that we can deal with issues quickly and effectively. Sixth Form Peer Mentors assist the Form Teachers in Years 8-11 to help build relationships. Parents can also contact the Year Head and Mrs Moore, Vice-Principal (Pastoral).PARENTS ANDPUPILS ARE ENCOURAGED TO TALK TO THE FORM TEACHER TO SHARE CONCERNS EARLY SO THAT WE CAN DEAL WITH ISSUES QUICKLY AND EFFECTIVELY. FORM BASE

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21WHAT PARENTS NEED TO KNOWTRANSITION & YEAR 8 ADMISSION CRITERIAInformation on admissions in September 2024 to Post-Primary Schools will be available from http//www.eani.org.uk/admissions.The approved enrolment number for the grammar school is 1060 with the admissions for Year 8 set at 150. Pupils who are in receipt of a statement of special educational needs and who are admitted following application of the admissions criteria are supernumerary, ie not included in the admissions number which is set by the Department of Education for Northern Ireland.Number on roll September 2023 = 1079The Year 8 admissions criteria can be viewed HERE. Criteria for admission to sixth form and other years are available upon request from the Principal’s PA, Mrs Amanda Graham or just HERE.SCHOOL POLICIESWe strive to achieve the highest standards in all that we do. Copies of our school policies are available from the school office or on the school website www.sullivanupper.co.uk.In the event that you are dissatisfied with any aspect of school life, complaints to school should be conducted in line with the Complaints Policy which is available on the school website or from the school office. IT IS OUR AIM TO PROMOTE GOOD RELATIONSHIPS AND EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION BETWEEN EVERYONE IN THE SCHOOL COMMUNITY.LUNCH @ SULLIVANThe school dining hall, which is known as the Silver Robin, provides a cafeteria style lunch in the lower floor and sandwich and snack bar which provides space for pupils to eat who bring a packed lunch to school. All pupils eat their lunch in the Silver Robin, apart from Year 14 who make use of their Common Room, which has its own dining facilities. The Silver Robin also operates a Tuck Shop at break time. Parents who wish their son or daughter to go home at lunch-time, should request the school’s formal permission to do so by letter to Mrs Moore, Vice-Principal (Pastoral), via the Form Teacher.Pupils can also bring a packed lunch to Sullivan, although products containing food allergens such as nuts are prohibited. Purchasing meals from the Silver Robin is cashless and details of the biometric payment system can be accessed HERE.CHILD PROTECTION POLICYThe welfare of every child in our school is of paramount importance and this underpins our response to the challenges of safeguarding your child. Read our Child Protection Policy HERE.THE FROST BUILDING

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23ASSESSMENT & REPORTING Assessment is carried out throughout the school year. All pupils recieve one Annual written report and at other points in the year, they receive Progress Reports which provide a statement indicating their current level of attainment in their subjects. Regular assessment and reporting helps inform our strategies for ongoing academic and pastoral support for each individual pupil. Departments, subject teachers and pastoral teams work closely together to ensure pupils achieve to the best of their ability. Pupils in Years 12-14 will sit their external GCSE, AS and A Level examinations in May/June and subject depending, they will complete the required coursework and controlled assessments at planned times throughout the school year. For further information on examinations and results, click HERE.SCHOOL EXAMINATIONS, TRACKING AND FORMAL ASSESSMENTAchieving 7+ A*- C Achieving 5+ A*- C100%0%20192020202020212021202298%100%100%100%94.1%99%GCSE TREND DATA2022202399.4%99.4%CAREERS: WE AIM HIGH!EDUCATION, INFORMATION, ADVICE AND GUIDANCE (CEAIG) The Head of Careers coordinates the work of a team of teachers with specialist knowledge and experience who work as careers advisers in the school. Careers education is delivered to pupils throughout the school and pupils are provided with access to relevant information. There are also close links with the Northern Ireland Careers Service and other outside bodies. In Year 13 pupils undertake a programme of work shadowing relevant to their chosen career direction. At GCSE our pupils gained an overall pass rate of 99.6% with 80.9% of grades at A*-A level. 99.4% of the year group achieved 7x A*-C grades, and over one-third of the cohort (35.2%) gained 11x A*/A grades. Eight Sullivan pupils were awarded a full set of A* grades.2023 RESULTSWe are very proud of the results our pupils achieved in 2023. These statistics are impressive, but at Sullivan we do not teach classes of statistics, but classes full of individuals who work incredibly hard to achieve this success! We celebrate the achievements of our pupils across the ability range.

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25A LEVEL TREND DATA0%% Achieving 2+ A*-C20192020202020212021202292%98%% Achieving 3+ A*-C86%100%91%100%100%ACADEMIC EXCELLENCELEAVERS Year 12 Year 13 Year 14Number% Year GroupNumber% Year GroupNumber% Year GroupTransferring to another school 3 1.9 3 1.9 0 0Apprenticeship/Training Courses0 0 0 0 2 1.4Entering Further Education 6 3.8 3 1.9 8 5.5Entering Higher Education 0 0 0 0 123 84.8In Full-Time Employment 0 0 0 0 2 1.4Other (Gap Year) 0 0 0 0 10 6.9Seeking Employment 0 0 0 0 0 0Other 3 1.9 2 1.2 0 0TOTALS 12 7.6 8 5 145 100LEAVERSAs the following table shows 165 pupils left the school by the end of the 2022/2023 school year. The vast majority of these were pupils who completed their A Levels and went on to study at Further or Higher Education institutions - most-ly for degree courses.Examination Number Entered Pass RateAll Years Associated Board of Royal Schools of Music 71 100%All Years Rock School Exams 10 100%All Years London College of Music 73 100%All Years Trinity College of Music 7 100%other EXAMINATION RESULTSTRENDS AND HISTORICAL DATA2022202396.5%88.9%At A Level our pupils achieved a pass rate of 99.6% with 82.3% of grades at A*-B level. 88.9% of the year group achieved 3x A*-C grades and 46.8% of the cohort gained at least 3x A grades. Sixteen Sullivan pupils achieved the impressive feat of at least 3xA* grades.

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27PASTORAL CARE: CARING SINCE 1877 THE GENTLE HANDBeginning with your form teacher, the following people are here to help and support you....MR C MAIRSPRINCIPALSCHOOL NURSEMRS M MCAVOYHEAD OF LEARNING FOR LIFE & WORKMRS C HENRYHEAD OF CAREERS & GUIDANCEFORMTEACHERSSUBJECTTEACHERSCLASSROOMASSISTANTSYEAR 8 MRS C DORMANYEAR 10 MISS S WILSONYEAR 9 MS C BOWMAN-KINNEARSENCOMRS J KELLYSCHOOL COUNSELLORSRebecca CupplesJohn Maguire Brian McCormackMRS C MOOREVICE-PRINCIPAL (Pastoral)MR S THOMPSONVICE-PRINCIPAL (Teaching & Learning)MIDDLE SCHOOL YEAR HEADSYears 11 & 12SENIOR SCHOOL YEAR HEADSYears 13 & 14JUNIORSCHOOL YEAR HEADS Years 8, 9, 10MISS A MORGANWe aim to maintain an environment where children feel condent to approach any member of staff if they have a problem or concern.

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Sullivan Upper School 2024 Prospectus

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