Key Stage 3 - Years 8-10

L-R Miss McSwiggan, Mrs Playfair, Mrs Winnington and Mrs Connolly

At Hunterhouse College our pastoral and academic structure is tightly woven to offer the most tailored support we can to students. There are approximately 300 students across Years 8 -10 at Hunterhouse College. KS3 students are overseen by our Student Progress Manager for KS3, Mrs Stacey Winnington. She has a team of three Heads of Year – Miss Sarah McSwiggan, Mrs Ashleigh Golder and Mrs Leah Connolly. Students in each year group will be placed in one of four form classes – Lewis, Welch, Shearman and Duncan – our form classes are structured around our House System. The Form Teacher for each class is our students – and parents / carers – first point of contact for daily issues. Mrs Playfair is the College's Learning Support Co-Ordinator.

At KS3 students are predominantly taught in their form classes for curriculum subjects. Their classes of approximately 25 will split across 5 classes for practical subjects such as Science, HE and TD.

Throughout Key Stage 3, the curriculum is broad and balanced. Students are taught mainly in Form Groups but are subdivided into smaller groups for Science and practical subjects.

Students in Key Stage 3 study the following subjects:

Core Curriculum:

  • English
  • Mathematics
  • Science – Biology, Chemistry and Physics are taught separately in Y10
  • Learning for Life and Work – delivered through off-timetable days in Y10
  • Religious Studies

Additional:

  • Art
  • Drama – delivered through the English curriculum in Years 9 & 10
  • Geography
  • History
  • Home Economics
  • ICT – delivered through off-timetable days in Y9
  • Languages – three languages are studied in Y8, two in Years 9 &10
  • Music
  • Physical Education & Games
  • Technology and 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. All KS3 students will have a target setting week in the first term to discuss Challenge Grades with their subject teachers. This is an aspiration grade which allows us to measure students’ progress and attainment against their own potential.

Form Time each day allows us to cover many areas of the Preventative Curriculum as detailed in the table below.

Topics Covered Year 8
Emotional health and Well-Being Transition to Secondary School, Identifying, Expressing and Managing Feelings Resilience–Growth Mindset, Exam Based Anxiety, Self-harm / Suicide, Cyberbullying
E-Safety Sharing/Receiving Images,
Social Media
Neglect Physical and Nutritional Needs
Period Dignity Menstruation Facts and Scenarios
Domestic Abuse What is Domestic Abuse?
Sex Education Understanding Consent, Changing Friendships
NSPCC Healthy Relationships Hurtful Behaviours, Healthy Online Relationships
Physical Health and Safety Summer Safety, Road and Public Transport Safety

Topics Covered Year 9
Emotional health and Well-Being Emotional Needs and Building Resilience Friendships, Self-harm/Suicide
E-Safety Age verification and Cyber Bullying, Sharing Images
Neglect Emotional Neglect
Period Dignity Understanding periods and period products
Domestic Abuse The Impacts of Domestic Abuse
Sex Education Consent, Grooming, Abortion
NSPCC Healthy Relationships Healthy Online Relationships
Physical Health and Safety Introduction to Drug and Alcohol Misuse and Vaping

Topics Covered Year 10
Emotional health and Well-Being Anti-Bullying workshop hosted by Cara Friend, Developing positive thoughts
E-Safety Sexting/Image Sharing
Neglect Medical and Educational Neglect
Period Dignity Challenges and Solutions
Domestic Abuse Intimate Partner Violence
Sex Educationtd> Consent and Statutory Rape
NSPCC Healthy Relationships Stereotypes and the Media
Physical Health and Safety The perils of alcohol and drug misuse
Dec 08
2025
Y14 Parent Consultations
Dec 09
2025
Y8-12 Flu Vaccinations
Dec 11
2025
Christmas Carol Service
Dec 19
2025
Term Ends 12.00pm
Contact Us
Upper Lisburn Road, Finaghy, Belfast, BT10 0LE, N Ireland.
Location
Sisters IN Impact Award Education Champion Logo 202 TH Girls on Board Final Logo Teacher Ambassador Gold Badge - College Academy member YOUNG ENTERPRISE 2023
Copyright © 2025 All Rights Reserved