GCSE/A Level Options
Curriculum/Courses Offered​​
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The Board of Governors, through the work of the College, aims to provide a curriculum to meet the needs of all pupils and to equip pupils for the demands of employment and life. The curriculum is planned to be wide ranging and reflective of the Entitlement Framework. All pupils in Key Stage 3 are offered the same curriculum. At the end of Key Stage 3 pupils choose subjects from choice blocks, which are drawn up in consultation with the pupils. The College endeavours to satisfy the choices made by pupils. At the end of Key Stage 4 pupils choose GCE/vocational subjects from choice lines which are reviewed annually. Every effort is made to satisfy pupil subject choice. However, where class sizes are not viable or subjects are on conflicting choice lines this may not be possible.
Courses offered:
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1. G.C.S.E. or equivalent in:
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Agriculture
Art & Design
Biology
BTEC Level 2 ICT Double Award
Business Communications
Business Studies
Chemistry
Child Development
Construction
Drama
English
English Literature
French
Further Mathematics
Geography
History
Home Economics: Food and Nutrition
ICT Multi Media
ICT Programming
Irish
Mathematics
Motor Vehicle and Road User Studies
Moving Image Art
Music
Occupational Studies
OCN Carbon Footprint
OCN Certificate in Information Technology
OCN Certificate in Personal Success and Well Being
OCN Certificate in Skills for Employment
OCN Certificate in Vocational Skills
OCN Religious Studies
OCN Science
Physical Education
Physics
Preparation for Adult Life
Prince's Trust
Product Design: Resistant Material
Religious Studies
Science: Double Award
Science: Single Award
Spanish
The College currently offers Applied GCSEs in Business, Construction, Drama and ICT.
Other subjects include the non-examination element of the curriculum ‘Learning for Life and Work’.
Learning Support Pupils are offered Level 2 Home Cooking Skills, Level 1 Personal Money Management, Essential Skills in Communication and Numeracy and Level 1 Employability Skills.
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2. Advanced Level GCE (AS and A2) in:
Art and Design
Biology
Business Studies
Chemistry
Digital Technology (IT)
English Literature
French (MRLP)
Geography
Irish
Mathematics
Music
Physical Education
Physics
Product Design
Religious Studies
Software Development
Spanish
St Patrick’s College plays a key role in the Magherafelt and Rural Learning Partnership (MRLP). As well as enabling the sharing of staff development good practice, the Partnership allows the College to work with the other schools in the Partnership to enhance the curricular provision in the College. The College offers Music, Performing Arts and History A Level to schools who attend the College for lessons. St Patrick’s pupils can choose to attend Partnership schools for A Level French and Spanish.
3. Applied GCE
Currently the College offers a choice of Applied ‘A’ Levels in:
• Double Award and Single Award
- Health and Social Care
• Single Award only
- Information and Communication Technology
Applied Business
4. BTEC
Currently the College offers a choice of BTEC in:
National Diploma in Sports Development and Fitness (equivalent to 2 ‘A’ Levels)
National Diploma in Applied Science (equivalent to 2 ‘A’ Levels)
National Subsidiary Diploma in Construction and the Built Environment
(equivalent to 1 ‘A’ Level)
National Extended Certificate in Engineering (equivalent to 1 ‘A’ Level)
National Subsidiary Diploma in Travel and Tourism (equivalent to 1 ‘A’ Level)
Please note:
The College’s curriculum is arranged in such a way to enable each pupil to receive a broad and balanced education and to reach their potential. All courses are open to both boys and girls.