General Information

Laurelhill is an 11-18 Community College situated in attractive, open surroundings. The mission of the College is to: provide quality learning and teaching opportunities which will facilitate pupils reaching the maximum of their academic potential; deliver the provision of quality learning in order that the career aspirations of pupils can be realised; ensure that pupils are educated in a caring and orderly environment in which there is a code of conduct which promotes acceptable behaviour and a pastoral care structure which facilitates the welfare and academic progress of young people; develop a self-evaluating ethos which seeks continually to improve its current practice by taking ownership for assessing all aspects of college life; and finally, provide interaction between the life of the college and the life of the community to the mutual benefit of both. 

Modern learning and teaching facilities include Science laboratories, Technology and Design workshops, Business Education suite, Computer and Information Technology centre, Drama and Music workshops, Art and Design Blocks, College Library, Drama Theatre and well equipped classrooms for the teaching of Modern Languages, English, Mathematics, History, Home Economics, Geography and Religious Education. The addition of a new science room to complement the recently refurbished science rooms of the College, new technology and design manufacturing rooms and systems rooms, together with the refurbishment of three home economics rooms, has provided enhanced facilities which meet the needs of pupils and teachers to have access to high quality learning and teaching facilities.

Excellent facilities are available for a wide range of sporting activities including a large sports hall, gymnasium, fitness suite and extensive grass playing fields and all-weather pitches adjacent to the main College buildings.  Pupils have also access to the new floodlit Laurelhill Sports Zone as part of the College’s outreach programme to the community.

The installation of a lift has improved access to all of the College’s facilities for pupils and adults.  The upgrading of College facilities is an integral part of the College’s Development Plan 2007 - 2010.

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 COMMUNITY ETHOS

The Board of Governors of Laurelhill Community College, in conjunction with Lisburn City Council and the South Eastern Education and Library Board, have worked in partnership to extend the community ethos of the College.  The aim is to give wider community access to the College's indoor and outdoor facilities for the purposes of lifelong learning as well as increased participation by local groups and organisations in various sporting and recreational pursuits.  As a result, the Laurelhill Sports Zone, which includes a floodlit, synthetic, multi sports playing surface, has been added to the College’s outdoor facilities.  The facility provides parking facilities for user groups and changing accommodation for eight teams.

Since 1997 the College's Governors have encouraged the expansion of sixth form provision to include academic and vocational A Level courses. The sixth form courses currently offered are set out under 11-18 Curriculum.  A high percentage of upper sixth students who have left the College since June 2000 have been offered a wide range of university degree and HND courses including, for example, Journalism, Computing, Environmental Biology, International Business, Electronics and Software Engineering, Business and Related subjects, English and Psychology, History and Media Studies, Social Psychology, Sports Science, Nursing, Early Childhood Studies, Interactive Multi Media Design, Hospitality Management, Business Studies, Horticulture and Information Technology, Dance and the Art of Teaching Ballet at the Royal Academy London.  The remainder of upper sixth students have taken up a variety of training and employment options.  These options have included additional courses in Colleges of Further and Higher Education as well as employment within the Finance, Health, Information Technology and Retail sectors of the economy.

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11-18 CURRICULUM

In years 8, 9 and 10, where class sizes normally do not exceed 26, pupils follow a common curriculum which comprises English, Mathematics, Science, Modern Language, History, Geography, Technology & Design, Home Economics, Art, Music, Drama, Physical Education, Religious Education and Learning for Life and Work.  All subjects are taught to boys and girls.  Information and Communication Technology is taught as a subject in year 8.

In years 11 and 12 pupils are given access to a broad and balanced curriculum through the study of subjects drawn from English, Mathematics, Science, Physical Education, Religious Education, Learning for Life and Work, Occupational Studies, History, Technology and Design, French, Financial Services, Music, Health and Social Care, Home Economics, Business Communication System, Art, Manufacturing, Business Studies, Geography, Information Technology, Journalism, Child Development, Hospitality and Catering and Construction.

Opportunities are provided for all pupils to explore and value their own particular cultural tradition so as to encourage the sharing and respecting of individual points of view. 

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SIXTH FORM CURRICULUM

Sixth form students are offered Advanced Level programmes of study in Applied A Level Business, Applied A Level Information Technology, Applied A Level Health and Social Care, Applied Medical Science, GCE AS and A2 Level History, English Literature and Art and Design. A range of curriculum options are provided in sixth form in order to allow students to choose Advanced Level courses most suited to their aptitudes and abilities as well higher education and career aspirations. In addition, the curriculum options allow sixth formers the opportunity to combine traditional and applied Advanced Level courses of study. A few examples of the possible combinations of Advanced Level courses are listed below:

GCE A Level English Literature, History and Applied Medical Science

Applied Medical Science, GCE A Level History and Applied A Level Information Technology (6 Units)

Applied A Level Business (12 Units) & and Applied A Level Information Technology (6 Units)

Applied A Level Health & Social Care (12 Units) & Applied Medical Science

Applied A Level Health & Social Care (12 Units) & Applied A Level Information Technology (6 Units)

GCE A Level English Literature or Applied A Level Information Technology (6 Units) & GCE A Level Art and Design & Applied A Level Business (6 Units)

All sixth formers have access to an individualised careers education programme which includes personal career planning and preparation for university entrance as well as work experience.

The sixth form curriculum is shaped on an annual basis to reflect the needs of students and their career aspirations as well as the expertise and resources available at the College.

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RELIGIOUS EDUCATION

Religious Education lessons follow the Northern Ireland Religious Education syllabus which has been agreed by the four main churches.  Year 11 and 12 pupils are also given the opportunity to take an approved GCSE short course in RE or a College based course in RE.

GROUPING OF PUPILS

On entry to the College pupils are placed in one of three bands according to ability and aptitude.  Movement between bands may take place according to the individual needs of pupils as they progress at Laurelhill.  Further encouragement and support is given to pupils with special educational needs as a result of the provision of smaller class groups and additional teaching resources during the junior College years.

 PASTORAL GUIDANCE

There is a fully developed pastoral care and guidance system which emphasises the value of the young person as an individual.  Form tutors are responsible for the general welfare of individual classes on a day-to-day basis and are supported in their professional duties by heads of year and heads of junior and senior College.

EDUCATION FOR EMPLOYABILITY

A comprehensive Careers Guidance Service, which includes work experience modules during Key Stage 4 and sixth form, emphasises the importance of preparing young people for transition to adult working life. Personal career planning is an integral part of careers education modules in years 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 offered within the Learning for Life and Work module – Education for Employability. Year 14 students are assisted in completing applications for university entrance through the UCAS system.

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PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT

The College emphasises the importance of parental support for and involvement in their children's education at all stages of their secondary schooling.  Form Tutors are timetabled to meet parents on a regular basis as part of the College's home-links scheme.  Parents' meetings are held on an annual basis for all year groups.  Parents are encouraged to give their personal support to special College events including charity fund-raising, drama and music evenings as well as sporting events.  Parents also receive a College newsletter called ‘Laurelhill Link’ at least three times a year.

HOMEWORK

Homework is an integral part of study in both the junior and senior College; therefore, homeworks are set on a regular basis.  Parents are requested to play an active role in their child's education by supervising homework, ensuring homeworks are completed on time and signing work when it is completed to a satisfactory standard.

EXTRA CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

A wide range of recreational, sporting and cultural activities are available to pupils through membership of clubs and societies which meet regularly under qualified teacher supervision.  Team games are a significant feature of College life and include hockey, basketball, soccer, rugby and netball.  Other sports offered include cross-country, athletics, swimming, badminton and golf.  There are active dramatic and musical societies which undertake public performances on an annual basis.  There is a thriving Scripture Union within the College and a highly successful Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme.  Outdoor education is an important feature of the broader experience of many pupils at the College including the annual ski trip to a country within the European Community.

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POSITIVE BEHAVIOUR MANAGEMENT

Throughout the College there is an emphasis on high standards of personal appearance, good behaviour, self discipline and consideration for others.  The College's rules of conduct are printed in pupils’ homework diaries and are expected to be obeyed at all times.  All parents are given a copy of the College's policy on discipline and asked to support the procedures outlined in it in the interests of their child as an individual and the College community as a whole.  The College seeks the active support of parents in the implementation of the College’s discipline policy to ensure that children adhere to a code of conduct which supports quality learning and teaching.

UNIFORM

All pupils in years 8-12 as well as Sixth Form students wear the College uniform.  We believe the wearing of College uniform encourages a sense of belonging to the College and a sense of pride in pupils' personal appearance. The College seeks the active support of parents to ensure that children adhere to the specified standards set out in the College’s uniform guidelines.

PREFECT SYSTEM

A Prefect system is in operation with both a Head Boy and Head Girl supported in their College duties by Deputies.

ADMISSIONS POLICY

The Board of Governors has established a Sub-Committee to administer the Admissions Policy.  The Sub-Committee comprises two Governors of the College and the Principal.

Duty to verify
The Board of Governors reserves the right to require such supplementary evidence as it may determine to support or verify information on any application form/Transfer Form.

The provision of false or incorrect information or the failure to provide information within the deadlines set by post primary schools can result in the withdrawal of a place and the inability to offer a place on the part of any school nominated on the applicant’s transfer Form.

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ADMISSIONS CRITERIA

It is emphasised that it is the responsibility of parents to ensure that the Transfer Report Form is fully completed.  In addition, parents must ensure that all necessary, relevant information is fully recorded in the Parents’ Remarks section on the Transfer Report Form, or is attached to the Transfer Report Form.  The information should clearly demonstrate how their child meets one or more of the Admissions Criteria 1-5.  The information should be made available to the Principal of your child’s primary school at the time when his/her transfer form is being completed.

The Board of Governors of Laurelhill has determined that the following criteria will be applied for admission to the College.  In the event of the number of pupils applying for places in Year 8 in September being greater than the admissions number, the Admissions Criteria, 1-5 will be applied in the order set out below:-

1. Pupils who have an older brother or sister who are presently enrolled at the College at the date of completion of the Transfer Report Form  (must be indicated on Transfer Form);
2. Pupils who are the only or eldest child in the family (must be indicated on Transfer Form);
3. Pupils with older brothers or sisters or parents who in the past have attended Laurelhill (must be indicated on Transfer Form);
4. Pupils whose primary or preparatory school is closest to Laurelhill Community College as measured in a straight line on a Northern Ireland Ordnance Survey map from the primary or preparatory school (located using Irish Grid co-ordinates) to the Main Entrance Door beside the College’s General Office opposite the Laurelhill Road.  (using the Irish Grid co-ordinates 325, 173 m easting, 365, 200 m northing);  
5. Other applicants.

If following the application of the above criteria in order there comes a point where there are more pupils who meet a particular criterion than there are places available then priority will be given on the basis of proximity of a pupil’s permanent place of residence to the College.  The distance will be measured using a straight line on a Northern Ireland Ordnance Survey map from a pupil’s permanent place of residence (located using Irish Grid co-ordinates) to the Main Entrance Door beside the College’s General Office opposite the Laurelhill Road. (using the Irish Grid co-ordinates 325, 173 m easting, 365, 200 m northing).

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Arrangements in relation to applications for admission to Year 8 AFTER the 2009/2010 school year begins:

 If admission becomes possible after the commencement of the 2009 College Year, the above criteria will be also applied, in the first instance, to those applicants who have previously been refused a place in the College during the Transfer Procedure and who are on our Waiting List on the day a place becomes available, providing:

1) Their parents have informed the school in writing, on or after 1 st September 2009, that they wish their child to be placed on a waiting list;

2)  Their parents have informed the school in writing which school their child has been allocated to in the Transfer Procedure.

Schools which have contributed pupils to Laurelhill Community College in the recent years include:

                                                         APPLICATIONS AND ADMISSIONS

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