At Hunterhouse College our pastoral and academic structure is tightly woven to offer the most tailored support we can to students. There are approximately 200 students across Years 11-12 at Hunterhouse College. KS4 students are overseen by Student Progress Manager for Key Stage 4, Mrs Louise Gribbons. She has a team of two Heads of Year – Mrs Lynda Girvin and Mrs Deborah Wood. Students remain in their Key Stage 3 Form Class as they make the transition to Key Stage 4 but will find a mix of students in their other classes.
At GCSE level, we aim to provide a range of courses which suit the needs and interests of our students. We review our curriculum annually. The College exceeds the requirements of the Entitlement Framework at Key Stage 4 level with an appropriate blend of courses, including STEM courses.
Core Curriculum (5.5 GCSEs and/or equivalent):
- English
- Mathematics
- Double Award Science or Single Award Science plus CCEA Occupational Studies
- Learning for Life and Work
- Short Course Religious Studies (half a GCSE)
- Physical Education and Games (non-GCSE)
Additional Courses:
Students choose four from this list through individual consultation with specialist staff. Students wishing to choose three may choose Supported Study as their fourth choice in consultation with the appropriate member of the Student Progress team:
- Art and Design
- Business Studies
- Child Development
- Digital Technology
- Drama
- English Literature
- Food and Nutrition
- French
- Further Mathematics
- Geography
- German
- History
- Leisure, Travel & Tourism
- Music
- Physical Education (GCSE)
- Religious Studies (Full Course)
- Spanish
- Technology & Design
All students will engage with our Assertive Mentoring Programme, meeting one to one with their Form Teacher to review progress 2 – 3 times a year. As in Key Stage 3, students will set Challenge Grades for each of their subjects. Students will sit mock and modular exams throughout GCSE and will be offered bespoke Learning Guidance to ensure they meet their potential.
Form Time each day allows us to cover many areas of the Preventative Curriculum as detailed in the table below.
Topics Explored |
Year 11 |
Emotional health and Well-Being |
Promoting Emotional Well-Being |
E-Safety |
Grooming, Influencers |
Neglect |
Personal Safety, Boundaries and Supervision, Risky Behaviour |
Period Dignity |
Toxic Shock Syndrome |
Domestic Abuse |
Abuse in Teenage Relationships |
Sex Education |
Sexting and Image Sharing |
NSPCC Healthy Relationships |
Rights and Trust, Communication |
Topics Explored |
Year 12 |
Emotional health and Well-Being |
Promoting Emotional Well-Being |
E-Safety |
Online Stress |
Neglect |
Neglect in the Context of Northern Ireland |
Period Dignity |
PMS, Endometriosis |
Domestic Abuse |
Coercive Control |
Sex Education |
Love for Life |
NSPCC Healthy Relationships |
Unhealthy Relationships, Pornography |