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BRA TECH CH029

Academic Curriculum

Key Stage 3 Curriculum

Pupils in Key Stage 3 (Forms 1 to 3) follow a broad common curriculum in line with the Northern Ireland Curriculum, developing knowledge and skills across a wide range of subjects.

In Form 1, curricular time is given to the development of the personal skills of our young people. Further details are provided under the LORIC section of our website.

Subjects offered

Subjects
Accordion close
Number of Periods (per fortnight)
Form 1
Form 2
Form 3
Art & Design
2
1
2
Biology
2
2
2
Business Studies
-
-
3*
Careers
-
-
1
Chemistry
2
2
2
Computer Science
-
-
3*
Drama
-
1
3*
English
5
5
5
French
5
3
3
Geography
3
3
3
German
-
1
3*
History
3
3
3
Home Economics
1
1
3*
IT
1
1
-
Latin
2
2
3*
Learning for Life & Work (LLW)
2
2
-
LORIC
1
-
-
Mathematics
5
5
6
Music
2
2
2
PE
2
2
2
Physics
2
2
2
RE
2
2
3
Spanish
-
1
3*
Technology
2
3
3*

All pupils have four periods of games per fortnight and a tutorial period once a week.

*Optional subject, three periods per fortnight.

Streaming & Class Divisions

In Forms 1 and 2 classes are unstreamed. For non-practical subjects, pupils are divided into seven classes. The practical subjects of Art & Design, Home Economics, Technology & Design, Information Technology, Music and Science are taught in smaller class groups.

Science

In all Forms, the three Science subjects; Biology, Chemistry and Physics, are taught separately by subject specialist teachers.

Additional Subjects

In Form 3, pupils also choose three additional optional subjects from Computer Science, Business Studies, Latin, Technology, German, Spanish, Drama and Home Economics.

Learning for Life and Work

During all Key Stage 3 years, pupils follow a course in Learning for Life & Work which involves the three strands: Personal Development, Citizenship and Employability. All pupils have a dedicated Tutorial period each week. Form 3 pupils also have one dedicated Careers period per fortnight.

Character, Currency and Culture (The 3 C’s)

Belfast Royal Academy remains focused on the development of the three C’s – Currency, Character and Culture which are key to realising our school Vision and Values.

Character: Opportunities for pupils to develop in character. Our pupils are rigorous, rounded and grounded, with not only skills and knowledge, but also the wider behaviours and attributes that are needed for success in life and work.

Culture: Belfast Royal Academy has a positive school climate where individuals feel valued, cared for and respected. Such an atmosphere contributes to effective teaching and learning and to genuine communication, both within and outside of school.

Currency: Pupils contain qualifications that enable them to move on to the next stage of their education. The curriculum that is provided at all key stages is sufficiently broad and balanced to meet the pupils’ aspirations and enable them to succeed.

The Character awards are Gold / Silver /Bronze - there are 5 strands:

1. LORIC

2. Attendance

3. Punctuality

4. Behaviour

5. Extra- Curricular


 

LORIC

As part of our commitment to "developing the whole child" and supporting our pupils’ learning and personal growth, our Form 1 pupils start to follow the LORIC programme, which will continue in Forms 2 and 3. The focus of these sessions is to ensure pupils are well supported as they move through this stage of their development and to enhance Leadership, Organisation, Resilience, Initiative and Communication skills (LORIC) through a variety of tasks, competitions and House activities. Pupils will be given a LORIC booklet which they will fill in as they complete the tasks and activities.

The LORIC experience includes:

  • Form One - Leadership
  • Form One - Organisation
  • Form Two - Resilience
  • Form Two - Initiative
  • Form Three - Communication

Form 1 pupils will attempt to complete the Leadership and Organisation strands. As well as the physical completion of the strands, the pupils will be required to fill in sections of their LORIC booklet; this will demonstrate their understanding of the strand, and list evidence of how they completed it. Pupils can use opportunities provided by school. All evidence will be verified by a teacher. Once a pupil has gathered enough evidence to demonstrate that they have completed the strand, they complete an evaluation and personal statement, and submit their work. At the end of the academic year, the pupils will attend a special awards assembly where they will receive either a Gold, Silver or Bronze certificate.

Get in touch

Our office is open 8:15am - 4:15pm Monday to Friday.