Grammar & All-ability Pathways
Sperrin - A school for the whole family
Sperrin College prides itself on our unique capacity to educate pupils from the most academically able to those who require support in their learning. Every pupil is equally valued and their curriculum experience at Sperrin, provides an appropriate blend of support and challenge enabling all pupils to reach their full potential.
Sperrin College is the only school in Magherafelt offering this duel entry approach providing a Grammar and All Ability Pathway entry. This allows all children in the family to be educated to the highest standards, at the same school, regardless of their academic ability.
Grammar Entry
Since September 2015, 35% of places at Sperrin College are available for pupils for Grammar Entry. Parents of academically able pupils wishing to be considered for grammar pathway entry must clearly indicate this on the Green Transfer Form. On this application form, parents must provide supporting evidence of their child’s academic ability, based on primary school assessments such as scores from progress tests in English and Mathematics. (PTE and PTM) The College will carefully consider all applications, apply the admissions criteria, and award a place at Sperrin College. The school will then conduct baseline assessments and place pupils in the ability band in accordance with all relevant data.
A significant number of pupils at Sperrin are academically gifted and enjoy the challenge and experience the grammar pathway offers.
Class Banding Structure
To develop the diverse talents of our pupils, we band classes in Year 8 onwards, based on groups of similar academic ability. In Key Stage Three we have four ability bands. All pupils follow the Northern Ireland Curriculum and enjoy a wide range of subjects delivered using innovate learning and teaching strategies. Pupils engage in formal assessments at four points in the year, this allows for monitoring of pupil progress, raise pupil achievement and ensure academic targets are met. At the end of each academic year the Banding Team within the school meet and review the class bands. Parents are informed if their child’s banded group is changed for the next academic year.
Our aim is to ensure every child reaches their full academic potential
At Sperrin, our aim is to ensure that every child, regardless of their academic ability at the point of entry, reaches their full academic potential, developing their skills and talents. A strong work ethic, coupled with the appropriate learning dispositions are excepted from all pupils. Pupils in all ability bands are provided with opportunities to thrive, reaching success and meet personal and academic goals.
The Grammar and Top Bands
Academically gifted pupils are provided with a stimulating curriculum model that will challenge and inspire their interests and talents. In addition to the subjects within the Northern Ireland curriculum, pupils in the upper academic stratum study two languages and a further subject in Computer Studies. This programme allows pupils to learn at an accelerated pace in line with their ability. All pupils within this pathway are expected to transfer to Sixth Form study at Sperrin, progressing onto third level education.
All-Ability Bands
At Sperrin, pupils in the Middle and Supported band are highly valued and are provided with an enriching and inspiring curriculum. Pupils are taught the full range of subjects outlined in the Northern Ireland curriculum. Pupils are provided with opportunities to develop their skills and talents with an appropriate blend of support and challenge. Pupils in these banded groups have achieved high levels of success at GCSE with a significant number transferring onto Sixth Form studying a blend both academic and vocational courses.
Sperrin College prides itself on our unique capacity to educate pupils from the most academically able to those who require support in their learning. Every pupil is equally valued and their curriculum experience at Sperrin, provides an appropriate blend of support and challenge enabling all pupils to reach their full potential.
Sperrin College is the only school in Magherafelt offering this duel entry approach providing a Grammar and All Ability Pathway entry. This allows all children in the family to be educated to the highest standards, at the same school, regardless of their academic ability.
Grammar Entry
Since September 2015, 35% of places at Sperrin College are available for pupils for Grammar Entry. Parents of academically able pupils wishing to be considered for grammar pathway entry must clearly indicate this on the Green Transfer Form. On this application form, parents must provide supporting evidence of their child’s academic ability, based on primary school assessments such as scores from progress tests in English and Mathematics. (PTE and PTM) The College will carefully consider all applications, apply the admissions criteria, and award a place at Sperrin College. The school will then conduct baseline assessments and place pupils in the ability band in accordance with all relevant data.
A significant number of pupils at Sperrin are academically gifted and enjoy the challenge and experience the grammar pathway offers.
Class Banding Structure
To develop the diverse talents of our pupils, we band classes in Year 8 onwards, based on groups of similar academic ability. In Key Stage Three we have four ability bands. All pupils follow the Northern Ireland Curriculum and enjoy a wide range of subjects delivered using innovate learning and teaching strategies. Pupils engage in formal assessments at four points in the year, this allows for monitoring of pupil progress, raise pupil achievement and ensure academic targets are met. At the end of each academic year the Banding Team within the school meet and review the class bands. Parents are informed if their child’s banded group is changed for the next academic year.
Our aim is to ensure every child reaches their full academic potential
At Sperrin, our aim is to ensure that every child, regardless of their academic ability at the point of entry, reaches their full academic potential, developing their skills and talents. A strong work ethic, coupled with the appropriate learning dispositions are excepted from all pupils. Pupils in all ability bands are provided with opportunities to thrive, reaching success and meet personal and academic goals.
The Grammar and Top Bands
Academically gifted pupils are provided with a stimulating curriculum model that will challenge and inspire their interests and talents. In addition to the subjects within the Northern Ireland curriculum, pupils in the upper academic stratum study two languages and a further subject in Computer Studies. This programme allows pupils to learn at an accelerated pace in line with their ability. All pupils within this pathway are expected to transfer to Sixth Form study at Sperrin, progressing onto third level education.
All-Ability Bands
At Sperrin, pupils in the Middle and Supported band are highly valued and are provided with an enriching and inspiring curriculum. Pupils are taught the full range of subjects outlined in the Northern Ireland curriculum. Pupils are provided with opportunities to develop their skills and talents with an appropriate blend of support and challenge. Pupils in these banded groups have achieved high levels of success at GCSE with a significant number transferring onto Sixth Form studying a blend both academic and vocational courses.
