Learning & Teaching | Friends' School Lisburn

“Live adventurously.”

Quaker Faith and Practice

Learning should be an adventure; at Friends’, we want our pupils to develop a love of learning and thrive both academically and personally. Our curriculum is central to this aspiration, and Learning and Teaching is at the core of what we do.

Our Learning and Teaching model consists of five elements: Challenge; Explanation; Modelling; Effective Questioning and Feedback. An evidence-informed approach underpins our classroom practice, as we provide a stimulating learning experience for all of our young people.

Friends’ offers its pupils a broad, balanced and relevant education at all Key Stages; the wide range of subjects offered provides a rich base of knowledge and skills. The opportunities to take part in a wealth of curriculum-based activities beyond the classroom enhances the school experience, providing further opportunities for each young person to develop their talents and pursue their passions.

Curriculum

At Key Stage 3, all pupils study a broad range of subjects to gain a sound knowledge base; there is also an emphasis on the development of pupils’ skills and capabilities for lifelong learning and contributing effectively to society. We want our pupils to be confident communicators and to think both critically and creatively.

Subjects studied include Art & Design, Biology, Chemistry, English, Food & Nutrition, French, Spanish, German, Geography, History, IT, Mathematics, Music, PE, Physics, RE and Technology & Design. All Year Groups have a Games afternoon. Pupils also have classes in citizenship, personal and social development, health education, employability and careers.

Pupils in Key Stage 4 (Years 11 and 12) follow a common core curriculum and then choose from a range of subject options, to make up a total of 10 GCSEs.

Pupils take GCSE in English, English Literature, Mathematics and Religious Studies. All study at least one Modern Language: French, German or Spanish, as well as either Double Award Science or at least one of the three Sciences: Biology, Chemistry and Physics. Other subjects available are Agriculture, Art & Design, Business Studies, Drama Food & Nutrition, Geography, History, Digital Technology, Music, PE, Physics and Technology & Design. Additionally, we often facilitate GCSEs in Languages spoken at home.

Non-GCSE subjects taken by all pupils are Physical Education, Games and Learning for Life and Work – a course including Careers and Study Skills.

Sixth Form is a particularly exciting time for our pupils as they embark on their A Level courses and look towards their futures beyond school.

We have a wide range of subjects for pupils to choose from at A Level: Art & Design, Biology, Business Studies, Chemistry, Economics, English Literature, Nutrition & Food Science, French, Spanish, German, Geography, Government and Politics, Health & Social Care, History, Mathematics, Further Mathematics, Moving Image Arts, Music, Nutrition & Food Science, Physical Education, Physics, Religious Studies, Software Systems Development and Technology & Design. Additionally, we often facilitate A Levels in Languages spoken at home.

All pupils in Year 13 study 3 or 4 subjects to AS Level and most continue with 3 subjects in Year 14 to the full A Level qualification. A number of pupils continue with 4 subjects to A2 Level. The Sixth Form timetable also includes periods of compulsory Supervised Study.

In the Sixth Form, pupils have classes in Careers and Study Skills. There is also a General Studies programme in Year 14 where a variety of courses are on offer, such as current affairs, horticulture, philosophy, survival cookery, sign language, yoga and volunteering. We often have guest speakers in school to offer advice and support on a range of relevant topics. We provide a range of Games options on a Wednesday afternoon and encourage as many pupils as possible to get involved.