Pupils to avail of range of courses

Newtownabbey Learning Community consists of ten local post primary schools, the Further Education college, and training organisations who work collaboratively to deliver an extensive range of curriculum opportunities for young people aged between 14 and 19 in this area.

Among those involved are Belfast High School, Glengormley High School, Hazelwood Integrated College, Hill Croft School, Jordanstown Schools, Monkstown Community School, Newtownabbey Community High School, North City Training, Northern Regional College, Rosstulla School, Thornfield House School and Outreach Services Transport and Training Services Ltd.

“One of the results of this successful collaboration is the extensive offer of 17 additional Key Stage 4 courses to the current Year 10 pupils in Newtownabbey schools,” said a spokesperson for Newtownabbey Learning Community.

“These courses are in addition to those provided by the individual schools, and pupils opting for any of these collaborative courses will find themselves studying in classes, often in another school, along with pupils from some of the other schools.

“Some of the courses are offered by training organisations, such as the Level 2 Automotive Vocational course delivered by Transport Training Services at Nutts Corner, a course which otherwise would be unavailable to the young people.

“The local FE College, Northern Regional College, also offers new courses such as the Double Award BTEC First Certificates in Hospitality, Horse Care and Horticulture, along with a GCSE in Construction.”

Other courses offered by local schools include new GCSE subjects such as Leisure & Tourism, Performing Arts, Moving Image Arts and Statistics.

Many of the new subjects are Double Awards - comparable to two GCSE subjects, such as the BTEC First Certificate in Retail, and the Level 2 Certificate in Music Technology, and will be of great benefit to the young people in the local schools.

The Department of Education is encouraging this collaborative course provision and has provided some funding for use towards costs, such as transport between organisations.

The courses will be promoted in the Linen Room at Mossley Mill between 9.30am and 2.30pm on January 27.