bloomfield collegiate school prospectus 2015
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Bloomfield Collegiate School Prospectus 2015TRANSCRIPT
Prospectus 2015
It gives me great pleasure to introduce Bloomfield Collegiate School to you. Asyou read through the Prospectus, I hope that you gain a sense of the ethos ofBloomfield Collegiate and appreciate the breadth of opportunities offered togirls at the School.
· We pride ourselves on being a community in which each individual isrecognised and valued. We strive for a friendly atmosphere within aculture of strong pastoral care and a positive working environment. Wehave an excellent academic record and our pupils demonstrate anenthusiasm for learning.
· We value music, sport, drama and extracurricular activities such as the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award andthe Engineering Education Scheme.
· We are committed to developing each pupil’s full potential in the broadest sense in preparation foruniversity, the world of work and life in general. We expect our pupils to develop social responsibilityand respect for others and the environment.
· We believe our school has a unique atmosphere which reflects our main aim of “Excellence in a CaringCommunity.”
Thank you for taking the time to explore what we have to offer and I look forward to meeting you at one of ourOpen Days or any other time convenient to you.
Please contact me if you have any questions about the educational provision at Bloomfield Collegiate School.
D. Barr,Principal
Welcome to Bloomfield Collegiate School
Chairman of the Board of Governors: Mr E. PaynterPrincipal: Dr D. Barr, BSc PhD PGCESenior Vice-Principal: Dr L. Finch, BSc ADE EdD MEd PQHVice-Principal: Dr C. Greer, BSc PhD PGCE PQHSpecial Educational Needs Co-ordinator: Mrs H. Newman, BMus BSc PGCEHouse System, Website and Marketing: Mrs E. Luke, BSc PGCE PQHPrincipal’s Personal Assistant: Mrs S. Johnston
Controlled Grammar School for Girls
Age Range: 11 - 18 years Enrolment: 710 Day Pupils Admissions Number: 100
OUR SCHOOL AIM IS:
Excellence in a Caring Community.
OUR PURPOSES ARE:
to communicate knowledge;to promote ideas and vision;to develop self discipline;to prepare for the future; and
to make learning interesting and enjoyable.
OUR VALUES ARE:
Honesty;Compassion;Tolerance;
Courtesy; andDetermination.
OUR STANDARDS
We will, at all times, endeavour to:
maintain the highest educational standards;
perform responsibilities with integrity,common sense and sound judgement;
manage the school affairs in a professional manner,seeking the opinion of the school staff, parents
and pupils;
introduce change when necessary and appropriate; and
continue to strive for the best interests of all connectedwith Bloomfield Collegiate School.
Statement of Intent
Curriculum
The School Curriculum ...........................................................................................1
Homework and Study ..............................................................................................1
ICT @ Bloomfield ...........................................................................................................1
Partnership with Parents .......................................................................................2
Careers Guidance .......................................................................................................2
Religious Education ..................................................................................................2
Pastoral
Pastoral Care .....................................................................................................................2
Community Involvement ........................................................................................2
The House System ........................................................................................................3
Substance Use and Abuse ................................................................................3
Pupils with Special Educational Needs ................................................3
School Discipline ..........................................................................................................3
General
Provision of School Meals and Other Refreshments .............3
Sport ...........................................................................................................................................3
Music and Drama ........................................................................................................4
Clubs and Societies ..................................................................................................4
The School Day ..............................................................................................................4
The School Year ............................................................................................................4
School Leavers’ Destinations ............................................................................4
School Regulations ...................................................................................................5
Uniform Regulations .................................................................................................6 - 7
Transport ...............................................................................................................................8
School Fund ......................................................................................................................8
Access to Documents and Information ...............................................8
Charging and Remissions Policy...................................................................9
Examination Results
Public Examination Results ..............................................................................10
Performance in Public Examinations .....................................................10
GCSE ........................................................................................................................................11
A-Level .....................................................................................................................................11
AS-Level ..................................................................................................................................12
Key Stage 3 ........................................................................................................................12
Admissions Criteria
Year 8 ............................................................................................. ............ .............................13-15
Special Circumstances ............................................... ............ ..............................15-16
Special Provisions .........................................................................................................16-17
Applications and Admissions ............................................. ..............................17
Education and Library Boards ............................. ...........................................17
Years 9 - 11 ........................................................................................................................18
Year 13 ......................................................................................................................................19-20
Year 14 ......................................................................................................................................21
Contents
Bloomfield Collegiate School has a deservedreputation for academic excellence. As a smallgrammar school each girl is known as an individualand is given the required care and attention.
Not only does this give a strong feeling of community,but it also provides a supportive environment whichallows each girl to develop leadership skills and self-confidence. Most classes comprise between 18 and27 pupils enabling the teacher to give individual helpwhen required. The School is committed to highstandards in academic work, music and drama, sportand games, community involvement, behaviour andappearance.
Bloomfield Collegiate School is situated in AstoriaGardens, off Upper Newtownards Road, Belfast BT5.While it is most conveniently located for publictransport, both local and North Down area, thegrounds are pleasant and quiet.
General Information Open EveningThursday 15 January 2015
6.00pm – 9.00pmPrincipal’s address 6.00pm, 7.00pm and 8.15pm
or by appointment with the Principal
Pastoral Care/SEN presentations6.30pm, and 7.30pm
1
Central to the success of our school is high qualityteaching and learning and a rich varied curriculumdesigned to enable individual students to reach their fullpotential. Students are provided with a stimulatingeducational experience. The acquisition of knowledge andskills is celebrated and enhanced by challenging studentsto think for themselves. We equip all girls with the desireand skills for life-long learning, and a respect for study andself-improvement essential for success in a competitiveworkplace.
At Key Stage 3 (Years 8-10), the School follows therequirements of the Northern Ireland Curriculum. In addition,the School embraces aspects of a wider curriculum centralto the development of our girls as confident, well-educated,self-disciplined effective students. In Year 8, pupils studythe following subjects:
Art; Biology; Chemistry; English; French; Geography;History; Home Economics; ICT; Latin; Mathematics; Music;Physical Education; Physics; Religious Studies; andTechnology.
In Year 9, German and Spanish are introduced into thecurriculum. At the core of the Key Stage 3 Curriculum arethe development of Thinking Skills and PersonalCapabilities and the Cross-Curricular Skills ofCommunication, Using Mathematics and ICT. These skillsare developed and assessed across the curriculum.
In addition, Learning for Life and Work delivers aspects ofEmployability, Citizenship and Personal Developmentessential to broaden the curriculum provision.
In Key Stage 4 (Years 11 & 12), pupils follow their GCSEcourses. The core curriculum at this level usuallycomprises:
English Language; English Literature; Mathematics;Science (Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Single AwardScience); Physical Education; Religious Studies; andModern Foreign Languages (French, Spanish andGerman).
In addition, students select subjects which particularlyinterest them and will enable a particular career path.Subjects to choose from include:
Art & Design; Astronomy; Business Studies; ChildDevelopment; Dance; Further Mathematics; Geography;History; Home Economics; ICT; Journalism; Music; GCSEPhysical Education; and Technology.
Students usually take up to nine subjects depending ontheir individual career pathway. Most subjects followNorthern Ireland CCEA specifications, with the exception ofP.E. and Dance which use AQA specifications, andAstronomy which uses the Edexcel specification.
The vast majority of students continue to Advanced Level.Students follow a two year programme (Years 13 & 14) andstudents choose three or four A Level subjects from a widerange including:
Art & Design; Biology; Business Studies; Chemistry;Drama; English Literature; French; Further Mathematics;Government & Politics; Geography; German; Health &Social Care; History; Home Economics; ICT; Law;Sociology; Technology; Mathematics; Media Studies;Music; Physics; Psychology; Religious Studies; Spanish;Systems Software Development; and Technology.
Most subjects follow Northern Ireland CCEA specifications,with the exception of Modern Foreign Languages andMedia Studies which use AQA specifications, and Dramawhich uses the Edexcel specification. Our provision at thislevel is enhanced with collaboration between neighbouringschools in the East Belfast Area Learning Communityenabling students to access other accredited courses. TheSixth Form also attracts pupils from other schools whowish to avail of the high-quality educational and co-curricular experience we offer.
Effective study routines lead to high levels of achievement.Pupils are encouraged and enabled to enhance learningboth during the school day and after school. The Schoolprovides library facilities for study from 3.30 pm to 5 pmMonday to Thursday, and 3.30 pm to 4.30 pm on Friday.This safe, quiet learning environment allows pupils todevelop independent study skills and self-discipline.
Homework is an essential part of the educationprogramme and will take a variety of forms. Year 8pupils may be asked to complete homework taskswhich take approximately 1 hour 30 minutes. Aspupils progress through the school, homework tasksand self-study will demand a longer period of timefor completion.
Information and Communications Technology, ICT, is anintegral part of school life enhancing the effectiveness oflearning. The School is committed to utilise all emergingtechnologies to interest, motivate and facilitate our learners.We are committed to enhance experiences with electronicresources and electronic learning environments.
The jewel in our crown is a superb suite of 70 computers inour Learning Centre offering unrivalled common access forresearch, presentation and communication purposes. Inaddition, three dedicated ICT laboratories enable ICT to bedelivered as a discrete subject at all levels of thecurriculum resulting in pupils skilled in the use of ICTapplications.
ICT will remain as a priority of the School DevelopmentPlan keeping this constantly changing aspect of school lifemodern and relevant to the needs of our pupils. Theschool has invested extensively in interactive whiteboardsand projectors and is increasingly using ipads and othermobile devices to enhance the teaching and learning.
The School Curriculum
Homework and Study
ICT @ Bloomfield
2
Parents and schools working in partnership improvepupil achievement. The School is committed to keepingparents fully informed of all school policies, schoolorganisation and curricular matters, with particularemphasis on their daughter’s progress. Further, theSchool is committed to keeping parents fully involved inthe organisation and corporate life of the school throughevents, seminars, meetings, Open Days andconsultations and to encourage them to make an activecontribution to the school. A school calendar ispublished every year with supplementary calendarsissued when appropriate. An assessment and reportingschedule is issued at the beginning of the academicyear for each year group. Concerns of parents withregard to the curriculum are addressed immediately;such concerns should be relayed to the Principal or toDr Greer, the Vice Principal with responsibility for theCurriculum. If a circumstance should arise where amatter is not satisfactorily resolved, the parent shouldthen put the complaint in writing to the Board ofGovernors.
Considerable importance is attached to careers adviceand guidance throughout the school. A comprehensiveand structured careers programme is embedded in thedevelopment of all pupils but intensifies at major decision-making points in their careers. Pupils are facilitated toidentify their strengths, decide what contribution they wouldlike to make to society and what they would most like tounderstand in the world. They are encouraged to follow anindividual career pathway, to study subjects which inspiretheir character, to map out a route through to university orto the workplace as appropriate and on to a successfuland satisfying career. The large majority of Bloomfieldpupils have gone on to university and a number to Oxfordor Cambridge.
Pupils glean information from an extensive schoolCareers Library, attending careers conventions andtalks, and through individual interviews withdedicated, trained careers advisors. In addition,pupils are coached in interview techniques, advisedthrough application processes, prepared for workexperience opportunities and supported whenexamination results are published.
Religious Education is provided as stated in theCurriculum Policy. Courses are broadly based andnon-denominational. Pupils in Year 10 now studyJudaism and Islam. In Years 11 and 12, pupils areprepared for CCEA GCSE Religious Studies. In Years13 and 14, pupils may choose to study for theNorthern Ireland Advanced Level or AS Levelexamination in Religious Education. Collectiveworship in Assembly is non-denominational.
A parent/guardian of a pupil may request that the pupilshould be wholly or partly excused from attendance atReligious Education classes or collective worship or from
both. In such cases, until the request is withdrawn, the pupilshall be excused from such attendance in accordance withthe request.
As a school, Bloomfield is not large and has a strongsense of community; each girl is known to the majority, ifnot all, members of staff. Each year group is sub-dividedinto Form Classes. Each Form Class is assigned a FormTeacher and each Year Group a Head of Year. FormTeachers in Years 8 and 9 are assisted by Year 14 Mentors.
Form Teachers and Heads of Year have a key role to playin the organisation of the school. They have aresponsibility for the academic progress of the girls undertheir care, for the girls’ pastoral well-being (which often hasa direct bearing on academic progress) and formaintaining standards of behaviour, attendance andappearance. Form Teachers are the first point of contactfor parents/guardians, particularly if they wish to makeknown any concerns they have about their child’s safety orwelfare.
We value parental contact. Parents are consulted whensubject options are offered, reports are sent twice-yearlyand regular Parents’ Meetings provide opportunity for fulldiscussion with form and subject teachers about theprogress of individual pupils. Parents are encouraged tomake contact with the school should they have anyconcerns. The school uses texting and email service toprovide current information. Policies, newsletters and otherinformation are posted on the website.
Pupils also contribute to our pastoral ethos; as theyprogress through the years, pupils are encouraged to takeon responsibilities such as Academic Mentor, PastoralMentor, Membership of the Year 14 Pastoral Team;Membership of the School Council. In these ways, andmany others, pupils ensure that our school is a vibrantcommunity.
Pupils in Bloomfield Collegiate School are activelyencouraged to participate in community outreachprojects. There is a long established link with Tor BankSchool and, more recently, with Mitchell House School.Pupils from Bloomfield act as mentors at events in TorBank and Mitchell House Schools. Pupils in Year 13participate in Community Service through volunteer workin local charity shops and care homes.
The School participates in citizenship projects suchas Young Social Innovators and the Youth andPhilanthropy Initiative. The latter enables Year 10pupils to engage extensively with local charities andcompete for a prize of £3,000 to be donated to thewinning charity.
The School continues to work closely with otherschools including established links with local primaryschools.
Partnership with Parents
Careers Guidance
Religious Education
Pastoral Care
Community Involvement
3
To encourage girls to take a full part in the games andactivities of the school, to provide a smaller focus of loyaltywithin the school and to give the opportunity to a largernumber of girls to exercise responsibility and leadership,girls are allocated to Houses - Clarke (named after a formersenior mistress and benefactor), Curran, Spencer andWalker (named after former Headmistresses).
The study of substance use and abuse is an integral partof the Personal Development Programme. It aims to allowgirls to acquire knowledge, understanding and skills whichenable them to consider the effects of substances such astobacco, alcohol and medicines and other drugs onthemselves and others and to make informed and healthydecisions about the use of such substances.
Where a particular special need is identified, an IndividualEducation Plan will be written in consultation with the pupiland the parents. Staff will use this to devise Subject SpecificEducation Plans for the pupil in their subject area.
Pupils who have been identified as having difficulties withMathematics and/or English are offered Peer Education. Inconsultation with the SENCO, Head of Department, Head ofYear and Form Teacher, other departments will implementstrategies to help pupils with specific learning difficulties, asrequired.
Elevators have been installed in three main buildings forpupils with mobility problems and the First Aid Co-Ordinatoris available to assist pupils with specific medical conditions.
A copy of the School’s Special Educational Needs Policy isavailable to parents upon written request to the Principal’sPersonal Assistant.
All staff strive to encourage and foster high standardswithin the school and to promote a healthy attitude of self-discipline in each girl. The philosophy of the school is tooffer positive standards and to seek to changeunacceptable behaviour by example and persuasion. It isinextricably linked not only with the stated curriculum butalso with all those factors of attitude and ethos which arepart of the 'hidden curriculum'.
Disciplinary matters are dealt with by individual teachersinitially. Where a girl's progress or behaviour gives causefor greater concern, the matter is referred to the girl's FormTeacher and in more serious cases, to the Head of Year ora senior member of staff. A girl may be placed on SpecialReport for one or more weeks, placed in a detention period
after school, or suspended from school for a number ofdays.
The school policies are intended to ensure that school liferuns in an orderly, efficient manner. Parents are providedwith a copy of the School Citizenship and Behaviour Policyupon their daughter’s admission to the school.
A cash cafeteria system operates at break and lunch timeeach day for those pupils who wish to avail themselves ofthe wide selection of hot and cold dishes. Junior pupils whoprefer to bring packed lunch to school are alsoaccommodated in the dining hall. Mineral water is available.
Pupils in Years 13 and 14 have access to their own canteenin the 6th Form Centre and are permitted to make use ofshops in the immediate vicinity of school at lunch time.
Free school meals are available for those pupils whosefamilies are in receipt of Pension Credit, Employment &Support Allowance, Job Seekers Allowance or IncomeSupport, or whose circumstances are such that they areentitled, according to DENI regulations, to a remission ofcharges in this respect.
We have a long and proud tradition of sportingachievement. The school aims to provide opportunities forall girls to experience and enjoy a wide range of physicalactivities. Girls are encouraged to develop lifelong skillsand dispositions to maintain personal fitness and health.Pupils are also encouraged to make an active contributionto team and individual inter-school competitive activities.Success, commitment and progress are recognisedthrough annual awards and prizes.
Pupils participate in a wide variety of recreational andcompetitive sports including: Aerobics, Athletics,Badminton, Basketball, Cricket, Dance, Football,Gymnastics, Hockey, Netball, Tennis, Rounders, Squash,Swimming, Table-Tennis and Volleyball.
The sporting facilities and resources within the schoolcampus include a large modern purpose built Sports Hall,a gymnasium and synthetic tennis courts, and, recently, wehave extended our athletics training facilities with a newlong-jump pit and shot-put area.
The school makes wide use of local sporting facilitiesincluding Civil Service hockey pitches and numerousleisure centres.
In addition, there are many sporting trips including a recentHockey and Netball tour of Boston, USA, a Racquets trip toLondon, Ski tours and residential visits to Ardnabannon.
Pupils with SpecialEducational Needs
Provision of School Mealsand Other Refreshments
Sport
School Discipline
The House System
Substance Use and Abuse
4
The School has a long and extremely successful traditionin the development of the performing arts. Music andDrama are delivered through the taught curriculum and asa significant part of the extra-curricular programme.
The Music Department provides opportunities for all pupilsto enhance their musical abilities. There is an extensivetuition scheme and pupils are successfully facilitatedthrough grade-examinations. Throughout the school year,choirs and orchestral groups give dazzling performancesat concerts, services and events. The numerous musicalensembles include the Concert Band, Junior Choir, SeniorChoir, Collegiate Choir, Recorder Consort, StringOrchestra and the prestigious Collegium Ensemble.Something for everyone!
Drama is a diverse and dynamic pursuit enabling pupils todisplay their talent through witty, insightful and extremelyconfident performances. House competitions provideopportunities for pupils of all abilities to participate inbackstage and onstage roles in thoroughly entertainingproductions. Through collaboration with Tor Bank School,pupils have gained a wide range of experiences and haveperformed in the Lyric Theatre. Our annual schoolproductions are highly acclaimed and cater for all tastes.The school has a proud tradition of producing featurelength films.
The rich array of extra-curricular activities pursued by ourpupils creates a vibrant, exciting community reflecting thevariety of talent and interest which is nurtured in school.Our many clubs and societies offer some of the mostvaluable and memorable experiences of school life and allstudents are actively encouraged to participate.
Students have the opportunity to gain additionalqualifications and skills, and to develop leadershippotential through participation in areas which include theDuke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme, Sport, Engineering,Music, Dance, Drama and Astronomy. There are also peer-mentoring programmes, training older students to workwith younger students in order to enhance thedevelopment of all participants. In addition, extra-curricularsocieties include, Craft Club, Community Service, Art Club,Geographical & Scientific Society, Public Speaking,Scripture Union, Green Club, Young Carers Group, FilmClub and Quiz Club.
Registration 8.40 am – 8.50 amAssembly 8.50 am – 9.00 amPeriod 1 9.00 am – 9.35 amPeriod 2 9.35 am – 10.10 amPeriod 3 10.10 am – 10.45 amBreak 10.45 am – 11.05 amPeriod 4 11.05 am – 11.40 amPeriod 5 11.40 am – 12.15 pmPeriod 6 12.15 pm – 12.50 pmLunch 12.50 pm – 1.35 pmPeriod 7 1.35 pm – 2.10 pmPeriod 8 2.10 pm – 2.45 pmPeriod 9 2.45 pm – 3.20 pm
Autumn Term 2015
21 August - 18 December (Year 13 only)
24 August - 18 December (Year 8 only)
25 August - 18 December (all year groups)
Bank Holiday - 31 August
Mid-term holiday - 26 October - 30 October
Spring Term 2016
5 January - 17 March
Mid-term holiday - 15 - 19 February
Summer Term 2016
4 April - 28 June
Music and Drama
Clubs and Societies
The School Day
The School Year2015/2016 (provisional)
School Leavers’ Destinations
YEAR 12 YEAR 13 YEAR 14
Number 16 8 81
Higher Education 0 0 90.12%
Further Education 50% 62.5% 8.64%
Employment 0 0 1.24%
Entered Jobskills 0 0 0
Entered a ModernApprenticeship
6.25% 0 0
Transferred toanother school
31.25% 0 0
Not known 6.25% 37.5% 0
Seeking employment 0 0 0
Long-term sick 0 0 0
Emigrated 6.25% 0 0
Annual attendance rate 95%
5
AttendanceA girl who has been absent must, on returning, bring a note signed by parent/guardian stating the period and cause ofabsence. This applies also to unforeseen and unavoidable absence. In cases of anticipated absence, pupils must bringa written request several days in advance to the Form Teacher. No appointment during School hours should be madefor a girl without the previous consent of the Principal.
No girl may leave School before the regular time without obtaining the permission of the Principal. Permission will normallybe granted only at the request, in writing, of a parent or guardian. Absence from School without permission is a seriousbreach of School regulations.
PunctualityPunctuality is essential to good time management. It is also a courtesy. Pupils are required to be in their form rooms by8.40 am. Any pupil who arrives later than 8.45 am must report to the Office at Reception, and then inform her FormTeacher that she is present. Lateness for Registration 3 times or more in one month merits Detention. Pupils should ar-rive to class promptly.
UniformAll girls are expected to wear appropriate School uniform and maintain high standards of appearance.
BelongingsGirls must provide a personal combination or key-operated padlock for their locker. If a key operated type is chosen, thepupil should carry her locker key at all times. Problems with lockers should be reported immediately to Reception.
Girls must not carry school bags around during the School day. They must be left in lockers, not corridors. Money andarticles of value must not be left in cloakrooms, changing rooms or school bags. All books, bags, articles of clothing andfootwear should be marked clearly with the owner's name.
HomeworkHomework must be completed and handed in on time. If unable to complete their homework, girls should bring a note ofexplanation from a parent/guardian.
BehaviourA high standard of behaviour is expected of girls when in uniform (including travelling to and from School), during theSchool day and when participating in any School-related educational activity. Smoking, drinking alcohol, drug-taking andover-familiarity are forbidden by any girl in School, in School uniform and on School occasions or visits. Parents/Guardiansare responsible for wilful damage to School premises or property committed by pupils.
If brought to School, mobile phones are the full responsibility of the pupil and should not be seen in School. Pupils usingmobile phones inappropriately will be asked to take their phone to the School Office immediately. The School Office willissue the pupil with a slip and attempt to contact the relevant parent to inform them of the situation. The class teacher willlog the incident in Behaviour Management. It is the responsibility of the pupil to collect the phone at the end of the Schoolday. Mobile phones are not permitted in examination centres during examinations.
Photographs must never be taken in School unless a teacher has given permission and is present and pupils have theirparental permission to have photographs taken.
GeneralPupils travelling on buses must wear seatbelts where they are available. For safety reasons, girls should always use thepedestrian routes when moving between School buildings and avoid crossing the car park. Senior girls who drive toSchool must not bring vehicles into the School grounds without permission from the Principal.
Drinking water is available for girls at all times. If girls wish to bring their own drinks to School, only mineral water is permitted.
Medical appointments should be arranged outside School hours when possible. Any pupil who misses registration for amedical or dental appointment will be marked with a special code and attendance may be affected. If an unavoidableappointment takes place during the School day, a written request should be given to the form teacher in advance. Ifapproved, a pink slip must be collected from Reception at break or lunchtime to show to each teacher of classes missed.The teachers will sign this.
If any pupil is ill, she should inform her teacher who will fill in a yellow form and send her, if appropriate, to a First Aidmember of staff. No pupil may go home without permission from staff.
Lost items should be reported to your form teacher. Lost Property is opened twice per week at the times posted on thedoor of the Reprographics Room.
School Regulations
COMPULSORY ITEMS YEARS 8-12
Winter and SpringBlazer Bloomfield Collegiate School blazer
Skirt Regulation bottle-green skirt with two box pleats to front and two box pleats to the backThe skirt must not be worn any shorter than 11cms above the ground when the pupil is kneeling (the depthof a business envelope).
Blouse Long-sleeved regulation striped blouseThe blouse must be worn tucked into skirt and with top button in.
Sweater Regulation V-neck bottle-green sweater
Tie Regulation Bloomfield Collegiate School tieThe tie must be worn properly knotted and at the appropriate length.
Socks/tights Plain bottle-green knee socks or plain bottle-green tights (40 denier or more)
Outdoor WearJacket Regulation bottle-green rainproof jacket or coat (not fleece-lined)
The jacket or coat may not be worn as a substitute for the school blazer.
Scarf Regulation Bloomfield Collegiate School scarf
Schoolbag Dark colour and waterproof
Gloves Bottle-green, navy or black
Umbrella Bottle-green, navy, black or silver
SUMMER ALTERNATIVE - ALL YEAR GROUPSRegulation short-sleeved school blouses may be worn in the summer term and until the end of September.
COMPULSORY ITEMS YEARS 13-14
Winter and SpringBlazer Bloomfield Collegiate School Sixth Form blazer
Skirt Regulation bottle-green straight skirt with kick pleat to backThe skirt must not be worn any shorter than 11cms above the ground when the pupil is kneeling (the depthof a business envelope).
Blouse Long-sleeved regulation striped blouseThe blouse must be worn tucked into skirt and with top button in.
Sweater Regulation V-neck bottle-green sweater with the option of regulation V-neck bottle-green cardigan
Tie Regulation Bloomfield Collegiate School Sixth Form tieThe tie must be worn properly knotted and at the appropriate length.
Socks/tights Plain bottle-green knee socks or plain bottle-green tights (40 denier or more)
Outdoor WearJacket Regulation bottle-green rainproof jacket or coat (not fleece-lined)
The jacket or coat may not be worn as a substitute for the school blazer.
Scarf Regulation Bloomfield Collegiate School Sixth Form scarf
Schoolbag Dark colour and waterproof
Gloves Bottle-green, navy or black
Umbrella Bottle-green, navy, black or silver
Uniform Regulations
6
7
PHYSICAL EDUCATION AND GAMES
Compulsory items – all Year Groups· Kukri BCS polo shirt· Kukri BCS skort· Kukri BCS bottle-green tracksuit bottoms (must be worn zipped up)· Kukri BCS royal-blue and bottle-green hoodie· Kukri BCS shorts· regulation knee length blue sports socks· 1 pair non-marking laced training shoes· hockey stick (required for September)· shin guards (required for September)· mouth guard (required for September)· one piece swimsuit and swimming cap in any colour - Year 8· tennis racquet (required for Summer Term)
Summary of PE Uniform items for particular sports
Non-compulsory Items· regulation team playing shirt· regulation smock top· regulation athletics vest
Sports equipment and clothing must be named, carried in a sports bag and kept inside lockers.
Unless special permission has been granted, sports items should only be worn during PE or Games sessions. However,should a pupil be going home directly after a sporting activity, she must wear either full school uniform or full PE kit(including track suit bottoms). When representing the School, pupils are expected to wear regulation kit or team uniform.Members of the PE staff will be happy to provide advice to parents about the purchase of sports equipment.
SHOES – ALL YEAR GROUPS
Shoes must be plain, black leather shoes with non-marking soles. The heel should not exceed four centimetres measuredat the back of the heel and be the full width of the shoe for the duration of the heel. Flimsy soles, kitten heels, pumps, highheels, wedges, canvas shoes, open toes and other fashion shoes are not permitted. Shoes must fit securely to the foot;in more open styles, a strap over the instep is expected. Trainers must not be worn except for PE related activities.
OFFICIAL OUTFITTERS
Parents are requested to obtain articles of uniform from the official outfitters, listed below, as they have undertaken toconform in all respects with the School’s requirements.
Podium 4 Sport, 40 Montgomery Road, Belfast 02890701444PE Kit only (including optional items)Warnock’s Limited, 791-793 Lisburn Road, Belfast 028 9038 1828Alan Espey, 33 High Street, Newtownards 028 9181 4789Gowdy Limited, 121-127 Woodstock Road, Belfast 028 9045 9052Roberts Schoolwear, 24 Central Avenue, Bangor 028 9127 0516Mr D. Crawford, 1 Conway Square, Newtownards (mob) 07801 343 505 Email [email protected] www.dcrawfordschoolwear.co.uk
Uniform Regulations
Hockey Netball Gymnastics Tennis Athletics Dance
Polo shirt,SkortSocks
TrainersTracksuit bottoms
HoodieHockey stickMouth guardShin guard
Polo shirtSkort
TrainersTracksuitbottomsHoodie
Polo shirtShorts
Polo shirtSkort
TrainersTennis racquet
Polo shirtShorts
Trainers
Polo shirtSkort
Trainers
8
School Fund
The School Fund is used to enhance the learning experiences of the pupils as well as to provide additional equipmentand services not available through the public funds. The money is an essential element of the finances of the School asit allows the Governors to add value to the educational environment.
The School Fund is largely supported by generous contributions from parents. The Fund is currently set at £150 perpupil per year and can be paid in one sum or throughout the year.
MUSIC DEPARTMENT
Tuition Fee/Instrument Hire - details available on request to the Principal’s Personal Assistant.
Adequate notice, in writing, must be given of the intention to withdraw from music tuition.
Contributions to Bloomfield Collegiate School Fund are made and accepted as Voluntary Contributions.
Bloomfield Collegiate is convenient to a wide range of Translink Bus Services which travel along the Upper NewtownardsRoad, King’s Road and Sandown Road.
A Special Bus is provided for pupils travelling from Comber, both in the morning and afternoon. There are Special Busesprovided for Bangor and Newtownards in the afternoon only.
The arrangements for these are:
There are frequent Service Buses available from nearby bus stops at Ballyhackamore, Sandown Road and King’s Road.
Out of town to: Dundonald, Ballybeen, Gilnahirk, Newtownards, Comber, Portaferry, Millisle
There is also a regular bus service into town.
Translink staff are available on the following telephone numbers to answer individual questions:
Newtownards: 028 91 812391 Comber : 028 91 812391 Bangor: 028 91 271143
Transport Information
NEWTOWNARDS COMBER BANGOR
8.00 a.m.The Square
3.30 p.m.Top of Knockhill Park
3.30 p.m.Bus stop(front entrance of the school)
3.25 p.m.Bus stop(beside Astoria Gardens)
Details of the educational provision made by the school for its pupils and any syllabuses followed by those pupils areavailable from the Principal on request.
Copies of information which schools are required to keep under the Education Reform (NI) Order 1989 are available toentitled or responsible persons on written request to the Principal.
Copies of the school’s Anti-bullying, Child Protection and School Citizenship and Positive Behaviour Policy are availableon the website to parents/guardians of registered pupils on request to the Principal’s Personal Assistant.
A publication scheme has been produced for information available under the Freedom of Information Act 2000.
A charge, not exceeding the cost of supply, may be made for the provision of such information.
Access to Documents and Information
9
INTRODUCTIONThe charging policy of the school is in accordance with the statutory requirements of the Education Reform (NorthernIreland) Order 1989. The policy has taken into account DENI Circulars 1991/21, 2007/20 and the DENI ‘Every School aGood School the Governors’ Role’, chapter 19.
RATIONALEIn general terms, it is the intention of the Board of Governors that activities organised wholly or mainly during normalteaching time will be made available to the pupils for whom the activity is planned regardless of the ability or willingnessof their parents to meet the cost. A charge will be made, however, in respect of tuition and all other costs in the case of‘excepted pupils’. An excepted pupil is a pupil not entitled to a non-fee-paying place and is defined as a pupil whoseparents are not resident in Northern Ireland nor EU nationals. The Board of Governors will make no charge for tuitionwithin the timetabled provision and will not provide additional or special tuition outside the school’s planned timetabledarrangements.
CURRICULUMNo charge will be made in respect of books, other than for the replacement of books not returned when required by theschool, lost or destroyed while retained by the pupil. No charge will be made for the initial supply of stationery and nocharge will be made for equipment except non-accidental damage/breakage where replacement charge will be the cat-alogue price. Printer credits are given at the start of an academic year and can be supplemented with a small fee. Like-wise, no charge will be made in respect of practice materials except where the pupil wishes to retain the finished article.
EXAMINATION FEESNo charge will be made for DENI approved examinations for the first sitting for which the pupil has been prepared throughformal classes. In other circumstances the full examination fee will be levied and this will apply where:
a. a pupil has not been prepared by the school for that examination;b. a pupil has failed, for no good reason, to complete the requirements of the examination, or to attend for it or to
complete the required coursework/controlled assessment work;c. a pupil has required a late amendment to an examination entry;d. a pupil has requested a late entry/late withdrawal from public examinations after closing dates;e. a parent has requested to have examination grades(s) remarked or scrutinised; andf. a pupil is taking a resit.
VISITS AND FIELD TRIPSNo charge will be made for field-trips where these are an essential part of the planned programme of study. A charge maybe made for board and lodging on a residential trip, irrespective of whether charges may be levied for the educationprovided through the School activity. The charge will not exceed the actual cost of board and lodging for the individualpupil. The Board of Governors will not be responsible for home – school transport costs.
MUSIC TUITIONMusical instrumental tuition (including voice) is available from private tutors during school time (payable in 10 weeklyinstalments). The school can normally provide an instrument on loan with an additional annual insurance charge.
OPTIONAL EXTRA EDUCATIONAL PROVISIONThis is a voluntary activity which takes place wholly or mainly outside school hours and is not an essential item in thedelivery of the statutory curriculum. In giving its approval to a planned programme of optional extra educational provision,the Board of Governors will decide for each event whether to subsidise or to levy the full cost of each participating pupil.Should it not be possible to finance any part of the planned programme through parental contributions, that particularevent will not proceed.
The current programme entails -
School Tours and Trips - full advertised charge met by parents.Educational Visits - full cost of admission charges, residential charges and transport charges met by parents.Competitive Games - the Board of Governors will meet the affiliation fees to games governing bodies within the approved planned programme. - no charge will be made for transport in respect of the approved planned programme. - for special events, the Board of Governors will consider subsidising pupils’ costs of entering competitions outside the approved planned programme.Extra-Curricular - for certain activities the full cost of admission charges, residential charges and transport charges will be met by parents.
SCHOOL FUNDThe Board of Governors will invite voluntary contributions from parents in support of the planned programme of activitiesboth within and outside normal school hours. This will be referred to as ‘The School Fund’ and it will be used solely atthe discretion of the Board of Governors to further the objectives of Bloomfield Collegiate School.
Charging and Remissions Policy
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Public Examination Results 2013/2014
Performance in Public Examinations - Grammar Schools
GCSE RESULTS - YEAR 12 PUPILS
Number of Pupils in Year 12 103Number with a statementof special education needs 0
Entered for 7 or more subjects 102Entered for 5 or more subjects 102Entered for 1-4 subjects 1% Achieving 7 or more Grades A*-C 93.1% Achieving 5 or more Grades A*-C 99.01% Achieving 1-4 Grades A*-C 1% Achieving 5 or more Grades A*- G 100% Achieving 1-4 Grades A*- G 0% Achieving no Grades A*- G 0
ADVANCED LEVEL RESULTS YEAR 13 AND YEAR 14 PUPILS
Number of Pupils in Years 13 &14 175Number with a statementof special education needs 0
AS EXAMINATIONS
Number of Pupils in Final Year of AS Course 94% of Those Pupils Achieving 1 or more at Grades A-E 100
ADVANCED EXAMINATIONS
2012/13 2013/14
Number of Pupils in Final Year of A Level Course 96 81% of Those Pupils Achieving 3 or more passes at Grades A*-C 77.08 75.3% of Those Pupils Achieving 2 or more passes at Grades A*-E 100.00 100.00% of Those Pupils Achieving 1 or more passes at Grades A*-E 100.00 100.00
PerformanceIndicator
2010/11 2011/2012 2012/2013 2012/2013
BCS BCS BCS N.I. Average% Achieving 5+GCSEs at Grades A*-C (or equivalent)
98.1 98.1 95.0 97.3
% Achieving 7+GCSEs at Grades A*-C (or equivalent)
94.3 92.2 93.1 93.6
% Achieving 3+ A-levels at Grades A*-C(or equivalent)
82.4 71.9 77.1 77.2
% Achieving 2+ A-levels at Grades A*-E(or equivalent)
100.0 97.8 100.0 99.6
BCS - Pupils from Bloomfield Collegiate School
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GCSE Examinations 2013/14
A-Level Examinations 2013/14
SubjectNumberEntered
%Grade A*
%Grade A
%Grade B
%Grade C
%Grade D
%Grade E
%Grade U
Art & Design 7 57.1 28.6 14.3 0 0 0 0Biology 18 5.6 44.4 16.7 5.6 16.7 5.6 5.6Business Studies 15 6.7 33.3 20 40 0 0 0Chemistry 16 18.8 43.8 12.5 12.5 0 6.3 6.3Design and Technology 7 0 28.6 71.4 0 0 0 0English Literature 17 17.6 11.8 17.6 29.4 23.5 0 0French 1 0 0 100 0 0 0 0Geography 18 5.6 27.8 44.4 22.2 0 0 0Health & Social Care 12 0 8.3 41.7 50 0 0 0History 33 12.1 33.3 33.3 9.1 6.1 6.1 0Home Economics 2 0 50 0 50 0 0 0Information Technology 25 0 12 36 44 8 0 0Mathematics 13 15.4 38.5 30.8 7.7 7.7 0 0Media Film and TV Studies 13 0 23.1 61.5 15.4 0 0 0Music 2 0 0 50 50 0 0 0Physics 8 12.5 37.5 25.0 0 25 0 0Politics 15 6.7 26.7 46.7 20.0 0 0 0Religious Studies 14 14.3 21.4 35.7 28.6 0 0 0Spanish 2 0 50 50 0 0 0 0Sport/PE Studies 6 0 33.3 50 0 0 16.7 0Total number entered 2442013/14 Total % 9.4 27.9 33.6 20.5 5.8 2.0 0.82012/13 Total % 7.1 30.2 29.5 20.7 7.8 3.7 1.0
Subject NumberEntered
%Grade A*
%Grade A
%Grade B
%Grade C
%Grade D
%Grade E
%Grade F
%Grade G
%Grade U
Art & Design 24 16.7 45.8 20.8 16.7 0 0 0 0 0Biology 64 9.4 23.4 42.2 23.4 1.6 0 0 0 0Chemistry 64 12.5 18.7 40.6 17.2 6.3 1.6 1.6 0 1.6Design and Technology 41 0 24.4 39.0 26.9 9.8 0 0 0 0English Language 102 2.9 28.5 45.1 21.6 2 0 0 0 0English Literature 100 8 25 42 21 4 0 0 0 0French 60 5 25 26.7 23.3 15 1.7 1.7 0 1.7Geography 43 11.6 30.2 39.6 9.3 7 0 2.3 0 0German 29 6.9 10.3 27.6 17.2 24.1 13.8 0 0 0History 74 16.3 36.4 28.4 12.2 5.4 0 1.4 0 0Home Economics 14 0 0 50 50 0 0 0 0 0Home Economics: Child Devt 15 6.7 40 46.7 6.7 0 0 0 0 0Information Technology 38 7.9 68.4 23.7 0 0 0 0 0 0Mathematics Further 26 23.1 34.6 19.2 23.1 0 0 0 0 0Mathematics 101 29.7 27.7 25.7 12.9 4 0 0 0 0Media: Communicn & Production 14 0 28.6 57.1 7.1 7.1 0 0 0 0Music Studies 6 50 50 0 0 0 0 0 0 0Performing Arts 5 0 0 40 60 0 0 0 0 0Physics 52 9.6 21.2 36.5 28.8 1.9 0 1.9 0 0Religious Studies 102 18.6 35.3 30.4 11.7 3.9 0 0 0 0Science (Core) 12 0 0 66.7 25 8.3 0 0 0 0Spanish 17 17.6 17.6 35.3 23.5 5.9 0 0 0 0Sports Studies 16 18.8 25 31.3 18.8 6.3 0 0 0 0Total number entered 10192013/14 Total % 12.16 28.46 35.03 18.06 5.00 0.59 0.49 0.00 0.202012/13 Total % 13.64 22.76 33.60 21.56 6.72 1.20 0.20 0.10 0.20
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AS-Level Examinations 2013/14
Key Stage 3 Teacher Assessment 2012/13
Percentage of pupils in the final year of key stage 3Achieving Level
Level5 or above
Level6 or above
ENGLISH
Teacher Assessed Subject Level BCS 100 91
N.I. 71.3 38.93
MATHEMATICS
Teacher Assessed Subject Level BCS 100 97
N.I. 73.17 45.73
BCS - Pupils from Bloomfield Collegiate School N.I. - Northern Ireland Summary
“Please note that from the 2012/13 school year, all schools assess pupils using the more challenging Levels of Progression. Due tothe more demanding nature of the Levels of Progression, the outcomes for some pupils are likely to seem lower than might havebeen the case if assessment had been carried out using the previous system of assessment. 2012/13 outcomes are not thereforedirectly comparable with results in previous years.”
Subject
NumberEntered
%Grade A
%Grade B
%Grade C
%Grade D
%Grade E
%Ungraded
Art & Design 7 100 0 0 0 0 0Biology 26 42.3 15.4 26.9 11.5 3.8 0Business Studies 25 28 32 24 12 4 0Chemistry 21 42.9 23.8 19 0 9.5 4.8Design and Technology 7 0 42.9 28.6 28.6 0 0Drama 2 100 0 0 0 0 0English Literature 24 12.5 16.7 33.3 37.5 0 0French 7 14.3 0 28.6 0 28.6 28.6Geography 21 28.6 19 28.6 23.8 0 0German 2 50 0 0 50 0 0Health & Social Care 13 7.7 53.8 23.1 15.4 0 0History 33 42.4 12.1 33.3 9.1 3 0Home Economics 4 0 0 75 25 0 0Information Technology 22 27.3 40.9 27.3 0 4.5 0Mathematics 26 42.3 23.1 26.9 3.8 3.8 0Media Studies 16 18.8 56.3 25 0 0 0Music 2 0 50 50 0 0 0Physics 17 29.4 11.8 5.9 17.6 17.6 17.6Politics 19 36.8 31.6 15.8 5.3 5.3 5.3Psychology 4 0 0 25 25 0 50Religious Studies 23 60.9 30.4 4.3 4.3 0 0Spanish 5 40 20 20 0 20 0Sports Studies 5 20 20 0 40 20 0Total number entered 331.02013/14 Total% 33.5 24.5 23.3 11.5 4.5 2.72012/13 Total % 32.3 26.9 21.2 11.4 5.1 3.2
For 2013/14 the Teaching Unions boycotted the Key Stage 3 assessments, therefore, results are not available for 2013/14.
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Admissions Criteria - Year 8To Parents/Guardians naming Bloomfield Collegiate School (“the School”) as a preference on your child’s TransferForm.
Entrance Test ResultsPlease ensure that you provide the following information on Section C of your child’s Transfer Form:· The School will initially consider candidates who have taken the Common Entrance Assessment [CEA] provided
by the Association for Quality Education [AQE]. The score in the AQE CEA should be entered in Section C of theTransfer Form in the following format:The score in the AQE CEA and the AQE candidate number should both be entered in Section C of theTransfer Form. The original notification received from AQE indicating your daughter’s AQE CEA scoreshould be attached to the Transfer Form.
Special CircumstancesIf you are making a claim for your child to be considered under Special Circumstances please note that you should:· Complete Form SC14, available from the School or from AQE and attach it with appropriate documentary
evidence to the Transfer Form. (Refer to Section 3 “SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES” below for details of appropriate documentary evidence.)
Special ProvisionsIf you are making a claim for your child to be considered under Special Provisions please note that you should:· Contact the School as soon as possible.· Complete Form SC14, available from the School or from AQE and attach it with appropriate documentary
evidence to the Transfer Form.· For those pupils whose parents wish them to transfer from schools outside Northern Ireland, application for
Special Provisions should be made by 15th April 2015.
IntroductionBloomfield Collegiate School has delivered consistently a quality educational experience for every girl since we openedour gates in 1905. Our core values of honesty, compassion and determination are evident in all aspects of school life,from our impressive GCSE and A Level results to the girls’ involvement in the wide range of extra-curricular activities.
Situated in a quiet location just off the Upper Newtownards Road, we have a large catchment area with convenient busroutes in East Belfast and North Down. All accommodation and facilities are modern and provide a learning environmentof the highest quality. There are two multi-purpose assembly halls, science laboratories, four networked ICT classrooms,well-equipped Music and Art suites, Home Economic rooms, an impressive Sports Hall with the full range of physicaleducation opportunities, a pleasant Sixth Form Centre, and a state of the art Technology and ICT Learning Centre. Thesefacilities are complemented by our Virtual Learning Environment.
CurriculumOur comprehensive range of subjects ensures that we offer a challenging curriculum that is both relevant and enjoyable.Year 8 girls are placed into small, un-streamed classes where they have the opportunity to develop as individuals.English, Mathematics, Art, French, Geography, History, Home Economics, ICT, Latin, Learning for Life and Work, Music,Physical Education, Religious Education and Physics, Chemistry and Biology are taken throughout. A second languageis introduced in Year 9.
At the end of Year 10, with the help of subject and careers teachers and in consultation with parents, girls choose thenine or ten subjects to be taken to GCSE level. There is a core curriculum of English, Mathematics and ReligiousEducation, with the remaining subjects chosen from Art, Business Studies, Child Development, French, Geography,German, History, Home Economics, ICT, Journalism, Music, Physical Education, Physics, Biology and Chemistry, Spanish,Technology and Design. Further Mathematics, Astronomy and Dance are also offered as additional GCSEs.
Almost all girls proceed to Year 13 where they follow courses leading to three or four GCE AS and Advanced Levelqualifications. They can continue with the subjects studied at GCSE level with the addition of Business Studies, Drama,Government and Politics, Health and Social Care, Software Systems Development, Media Studies and Performing Arts,Psychology and Sociology. Further details, including information on subject content and grades, can be found on ourwebsite.
The majority of girls go on to universities, and some are prepared for Oxford and Cambridge entrance.
The normal School day is from 8.40am to 3.20pm. Girls in the junior forms will spend up to 2 hours each evening oneffective and meaningful homework, while those in the senior forms will spend longer (approximately 3 hours).
Pastoral Care and Learning SupportOur strong pastoral care system underpins the outstanding teaching and learning in the school and is designed toensure that attention and advice is given to individual girls. We promote a strong sense of belonging and a genuine
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Admissions Criteria - Year 8
community spirit. Heads of Year lead teams of Form Tutors to deliver an effective Personal Development Programmeand Years 8 and 9 Form Classes also benefit from our Peer Mentoring Team. A Student Council provides everyone withan important voice. All of our girls know they are respected. This dedication to the wellbeing of our pupils helps motivateeach student to reach her full potential.
Our partnership with parents and the wider community is essential in maintaining this warm and welcoming environment.
Girls can take advantage of our Peer Tutoring Scheme in a number of key subjects. The Homework Club also providesadditional support on an individual or small group basis and there are designated supervised study facilities availableto Sixth Formers.
Extra-curricularThe vibrancy of the School community is epitomised by the strength of our extra-curricular programmes. Music anddrama productions are a regular feature of the School year and the School choirs, the orchestras, the band and therecorder group contribute to these events. Piano, instrumental and singing lessons are provided in School. The danceteams in School are very successful. A variety of societies and clubs cater for other interests including sports and games,debating, public speaking, community service, Film Club, Craft Club, charity work, Scripture Union and the Duke ofEdinburgh’s Award Scheme.
ADMISSIONS CRITERIA FOR ENTRY OF PUPILS INTO YEAR 8 IN SEPTEMBER 2015
Definitions“applicant” means the parent or guardian who completes and signs the application form/Transfer Form on behalf of thecandidate;
“child of the family” will mean individuals who have both parents in common or children who reside with the same family atthe candidate's normal home address (including foster children and step brothers and sisters living with the candidateat her normal home address);
“candidate” means the child who is stated on the application form/Transfer Form as seeking to gain admission to theSchool;
“entitled to Free School Meals” will mean candidates who, at the date on which they have signed their post-primary TransferForm, or at any date up to and including 13 May 2015, have communicated within their application that they are listed onthe Education and Library Board/Education and Skills Authority register as entitled to Free School Meals.
“mother” will mean a person who at the date of application has legal responsibility for the candidate;
“normal home address” will mean the candidate’s permanent home address at the time the application form is beingcompleted. This should be where the parent and candidate live and where the candidate spends the majority of the Schoolweek (Monday to Friday including nights). Where the candidate lives with parents with shared responsibility, it is for theparents to determine which address is to be used;
“parent” will mean a person who at the date of application has legal responsibility for the candidate;
1. INTRODUCTION1.1 Bloomfield Collegiate School (the School) is a grammar school for girls offering a wide-ranging curriculum of
academic courses. The School will initially consider those candidates who have taken the Common EntranceAssessment [CEA] provided by the Association for Quality Education [AQE] and who have been awarded a resultin the form of an overall score. The School will use this ‘score’ as notified to parents by AQE, subject only toconsideration by the Board of Governors of those pupils claiming Special Circumstances or Special Provisions, asexplained in Sections 3 & 4 below.
The score in the AQE CEA and the AQE candidate number should both be entered in Section C of theTransfer Form. The original notification received from AQE indicating your daughter’s AQE CEA scoreshould be attached to the Transfer Form.
Information regarding the CEA is available from School or on the AQE website (www.aqe.org.uk).
1.2 The School will not use the position of preference given to it on the Transfer Form as a criterion for admission.Therefore, an applicant who has chosen Bloomfield Collegiate as a second or subsequent preference School willnot be distinguished from first preference applicants.
15
Admissions Criteria - Year 81.3 Girls resident in Northern Ireland at the time of proposed admission will be selected before those not so resident.
1.4 The School’s Admission Number is currently 100.
2. ADMISSIONS CRITERIA
2.1 The first 95 places from the School’s Admission Number will be allocated to candidates on the basis of the rankorder of their respective CEA scores; those achieving higher scores being allocated places before those withlower scores. If several candidates are eligible for the 95th place because they have equal scores, then all suchcandidates will be allocated places up to the School’s Admission Number, using the criteria in section 2.4, ifnecessary.
2.2 Following the allocation of places as described in 2.1, and subject to the School’s Admission Number not beingreached, a pool of 15 candidates will be identified by rank order of their CEA scores, with those achieving thehighest scores being allocated to the pool. If several candidates are eligible for the 15th place in this pool becausethey have equal scores, then all such candidates will be allocated to the pool. Candidates from this pool,irrespective of their CEA scores, will be allocated the remaining places within the School’s Admission Numberusing the criteria in section 2.4.
2.3 If, following application of sections 2.1 and 2.2, all the available places within the School’s Admission Number havenot been filled, the School will consider candidates who have not taken the CEA. Allocation of any such remainingplaces will be made by applying the criteria in section 2.4.
2.4 If the number of applications exceeds the number of available places, then the following criteria shall apply in theorder stated:
(i) Candidates who have attended the School’s Preparatory Department;(ii) Candidates with a child of the family enrolled in the School as of 1 September 2014 or accepted for
enrolment in September 2015;(iii) Candidates who have a parent employed by the School;(iv) Candidates who are the eldest or only girl in the family (details to be supplied);(v) Candidates with a child of the family enrolled in Yrs 8-14 at Campbell College or RBAI as of 1 September
2014 or accepted for enrolment in September 2015 (details to be supplied);(vi) Candidates with a mother or child of the family who was, but is no longer, as of 1 September 2014, a
pupil in the School (name and dates of attendance to be supplied);(vii) Candidates with the highest scores;(viii) Candidates who are entitled to Free School Meals (FSME);(ix) If more than one candidate is eligible for the final place priority will be given to the candidate whose home
is closer to the School. (Distance will be measured in a straight line using an Ordnance Survey webdistance measurement tool from the candidate’s normal home address to the School’s front gate).
It is the responsibility of applicants to notify the School on the Transfer Form where the above criteria applyand to furnish relevant details. When considering which children should be selected for admission, the Boardof Governors will only take into account information which is detailed on or attached to the Transfer Form.Parents should therefore ensure that all information pertaining to their child and relevant to the School’sadmissions criteria is stated on the Transfer Form or attached to it. Examples of such information includenotification of the AQE score, whether candidates have a child of the family enrolled in the School and whethercandidates are the eldest or only girl in the family.
DUTY TO VERIFY
The Board of Governors reserves the right to require such supplementary evidence as it may determine to support or verifyinformation on any application form/Transfer Form.
Please note that Department of Education guidance (Circular 2013/24) states:If the requested evidence is not provided to the Board of Governors by the deadline given this will result in the withdrawalof an offer of a place. Similarly, if information is supplied which appears to be false or misleading in any material way, theoffer of a place will be withdrawn.‘
3. SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES
3.1 Bloomfield Collegiate School has academic performance as its first criterion, subject only to the consideration ofmedical or other problems which may have affected performance in the Common Entrance Assessment (CEA) and
16
Admissions Criteria - Year 8which are supported by documentary evidence of a medical or other appropriate nature. These ‘medical or otherproblems’ are commonly referred to as ‘special circumstances’.
Please note, if a claim for Special Circumstances is made in respect of matters for which Special Access arrange-ments have been granted for a candidate, the School will take into account the fact that the candidate has alreadybeen granted Special Access arrangements for those matters.
Parents who wish to apply to the School under Special Circumstances should complete Form SC14 obtainable fromthe School or AQE, and attach it with appropriate documentary evidence to the Transfer Form, as detailed below:
• Details of Medical or Other Problems
Where it is claimed that a candidate’s performance in the CEA has been affected by a medical or other problem, itis the responsibility of the parents to set out in the Form SC14 precise details of the problem and append evidenceto corroborate its existence.
Where the problem is a medical one of short term duration which affected the candidate only at the time of the CEA,the School will require documentary evidence that the candidate was examined by a qualified medical practitionerin relation to the illness at the time of the relevant assessment, or an explanation as to why this evidence is notavailable.
Where the problem is of a non-medical nature the parents should append appropriate evidence.
Parents are advised that in all cases independent evidence is likely to carry greater weight than evidence that is notof an independent nature.
• Educational Evidence
It is the responsibility of applicants to provide educational evidence as detailed in Form SC14. This should include,where they exist:
a) the score achieved in the AQE CEA.
b) the results for the candidate of any standardised tests conducted in Year 5, Year 6 and Year 7 of primary schooland the results in any end of year tests in English and Mathematics in Years 5 and 6.
c) additional comparative information, which has been verified, from the candidate’s primary school and whichshould include the results, without names, for other pupils in the candidate’s Year 7 class of any standardisedtests conducted in Year 5, Year 6 and Year 7, the results in any end of year tests in English and Mathematics inYears 5 and 6 and, where available, the respective CEA scores.
3.2 A panel of Governors will consider the application for Special Circumstances. Where Special Circumstances areaccepted, the panel will determine, on the basis of all of the information supplied to the School, a score for thecandidate. Such candidates will then be considered with all other candidates who have received a CEA score,applying the Admissions Criteria in section 2.
4. SPECIAL PROVISIONS
4.1 Special provisions will apply for:
a) candidates whose parents wish them to transfer from schools outside Northern Ireland;b) candidates who have received more than half their primary education outside Northern Ireland;c) candidates entered for the AQE CEA, who because of unforeseen and serious medical or other problems
were unable to participate in any of the assessments.
Note: It is expected that, all those seeking admission should sit the AQE CEA with the exception of those candidateswho take up residence in Northern Ireland after the start of Year 7.
Parents who wish to apply to the School under Special Provisions should contact the School as soon as possible. Inaddition, they should complete Form SC14, obtainable from the School or AQE, stating the precise reason(s) why theybelieve the candidate is eligible for consideration under Special Provisions and provide appropriate documentaryevidence. A copy of SC14 and all the documentary evidence should be attached to the Transfer Form.
For those pupils whose parents wish them to transfer from schools outside Northern Ireland, applications for SpecialProvisions should be made before 15 April 2015.
4.2 A panel of Governors will consider the application for Special Provisions. Where Special Provisions are accepted, thefollowing procedure will apply:
17
a) The School will also consider any other assessment information and may choose to commission an independent assessment of the pupil’s ability in English, Mathematics and/or Verbal Reasoning;
b) A panel of Governors will determine, on the basis of all the available assessment information, a score for the candidate. Such candidates will then be considered with all other candidates who have received a CEA score, applying the Admissions Criteria in section 2.
ADMISSIONS CRITERIA FOR ENTRY OF PUPILS INTO YEAR 8 FOLLOWING COMPLETION OF THE TRANSFERPROCEDURE
Please note that Bloomfield Collegiate School operates a Waiting List Policy a copy of which is available on the School’sWebsite.
Admissions Criteria - Year 8
Belfast Education & Library Board40 Academy StreetBelfastBT1 2NQTel: 028 9056 4000
North Eastern Education & Library Board182 Galgorm RoadBallymenaBT42 1HNTel: 028 2565 3333
South Eastern Education & Library BoardGrahamsbridge RoadDundonaldBelfastBT16 0HSTel: 028 9056 6200
Southern Education and Library BoardCharlemount PlaceThe MallArmaghBT61 9AZTel: 028 3751 2200
Western Education & Library Board1 Hospital RoadOmaghBT78 1BRTel: 028 8241 1411
Information about admissions to schools in their respective areas is published by the Education and Library Boards andis available from:
Education and Library Boards
Applications and Admissions
Year AdmissionsNumber
Total ApplicationsAll Preferences
Total Admission
2012/13 100 128 100
2013/14 100 138 100
2014/15 100 149 100
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Admissions Criteria - Years 9 - 11
1. INTRODUCTION
1.1 Admission to any year group will be governed by the availability of places within that year group, class sizes (including practical class sizes), planned allocation and usage of staff, accommodation and other resources. Thenumber of places available is at the discretion of the Principal.
1.2 Applicants who have registered on the waiting list will be invited by letter to sit a standardised test in the summerterm. Bloomfield Collegiate School reserves the right to change the date of the test due to unforeseencircumstances.
2. CRITERIA
2.1 The following criteria will be applied to determine the admission of pupils into Years 9 - 11.
2.2 Proven academic ability as demonstrated by achieving a score in Vocabulary and Mathematics on or above thenational average (100) in a recognised standardised test sat at Bloomfield Collegiate School.
2.3 If the number of applications exceeds the number of available places, then the following criteria shall apply in the order stated:
(i) An applicant with a child of the family currently attending Bloomfield Collegiate School.
(ii) An applicant formerly enrolled in Bloomfield Collegiate School.
(iii) An applicant who has a parent currently employed by Bloomfield Collegiate School.
(iv) An applicant who has a brother currently enrolled in Campbell College or RBAI.
(v) An applicant who has a sister or mother who was a pupil of Bloomfield Collegiate School.
(vi) An applicant who has a brother formerly enrolled in Campbell College or RBAI.
(vii) If, after all the criteria 2.3(i) to 2.3(vi) have been exhausted, there is a number of applicants who have equalclaim to the remaining places then those places will be allocated on the basis of strict rank order of thestandardised average test score; those achieving higher scores being allocated places before those withlower scores.
(viii) If more than one applicant is eligible for the final place priority will be given to the applicant whose homeis closer to the school. (Distance will be measured in a straight line using an Ordnance Survey webdistance measurement tool from the candidate’s normal home address to the School’s front gate).
Direct entry into Year 12 or Year 14 will be at the discretion of the Principal.
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Admissions Criteria - Year 13 - PROVISIONAL
A. Internal Admissions to Bloomfield Collegiate School
1. INTRODUCTION
1.1 This section applies to Bloomfield Collegiate School Year 12 pupils only.
1.2 Pupils must notify the School as soon as possible upon the publication of the GCSE results to advise if it is their intention to return to Year 13.
1.3 Pupils must study a minimum of 3 AS subjects or equivalent. Only one collaboration subject should be chosenand a maximum of two new subjects. For any subject they wish to study, pupils will normally be expected tohave achieved at least a grade B in GCSE, except where prior study is not a prerequisite. This includes sub-jects only offered at AS level.
2. CRITERIA
2.1 The following criterion will be used to determine admission of Year 12 pupils into Year 13.
2.2 Pupils who obtain at least 10 points in their GCSE examinations. For the purpose of calculating an applicant’sscore, grade A* = 4 points, A = 3 points, grade B = 2 points and grade C = 1 point. Short course GCSEs will becounted as half the points. Pupils who achieve less than 17 points will study 3 AS subjects, pupils who achieve17 to 20 points are strongly advised to study 3 AS subjects and pupils who achieve 21 or more points canchoose to study 4 AS subjects.
2.3 If the number of applications exceeds the number of available places, then the following criteria shall apply inthe order stated:
(i) Places will be allocated in strict rank order of the applicant’s GCSE scores as defined above, thoseachieving higher scores being allocated places before those with lower scores.
(ii) If more than one applicant is eligible for the final place priority will be given to the applicant whosehome is closer to the school. (Distance will be measured in a straight line using an Ordnance Surveyweb distance measurement tool from the candidate’s normal home address to the School’s front gate).
3. SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES
3.1 In the case of a Bloomfield Collegiate School pupil whose performance in the GCSE examinations may havebeen affected by extreme medical or other circumstances, which were not taken into account during theexamination period under special access or special consideration, the School’s Special CircumstancesCommittee will consider whether it is appropriate to offer a place to repeat Year 12.
B External Admissions to Bloomfield Collegiate School
1. INTRODUCTION
1.1 This section applies to all pupils who are not currently enrolled in Year 12 in Bloomfield Collegiate School.
1.2 Those wishing to be considered for a place must complete an application form, available from the School, andreturn it to the Principal before, or as soon as possible after, the publication of the GCSE results.
1.3 Following publication of the GCSE results the School should be contacted promptly and notified of the GCSEresults and Applicants who meet criterion 2.3 will be invited for an interview to discuss potential subject optionsand a career path.
1.4 Pupils must study a minimum of 3 AS subjects. Only one collaboration subject should be chosen and a maxi-mum of two new subjects. For any subject they wish to take to study, pupils will normally be expected to haveachieved at least a grade B in GCSE, except where prior study is not a prerequisite. This includes subjectsonly offered at AS level.
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2. CRITERIA
2.1 The following criteria will be applied to determine the admission of pupils into Year 13.
2.2 Bloomfield Collegiate pupils who meet the criteria under Internal Admissions will be offered a place first.
2.3 Applicants who obtain at least 10 points in their GCSE examinations. For the purpose of calculating anapplicant’s score, grade A* = 4 points, A = 3 points, grade B = 2 points and grade C = 1 point. Short courseGCSEs will be counted as half the points. Pupils who achieve less than 17 points will study 3 AS subjects, pu-pils who achieve 17 to 20 points are strongly advised to study 3 AS subjects and pupils who achieve 21 ormore points can choose to study 4 AS subjects.
2.4 If the number of applications exceeds the number of available places, then the following criteria shall apply inthe order stated:
(i) An applicant with a child of the family currently attending Bloomfield Collegiate School.
(ii) An applicant formerly enrolled in Bloomfield Collegiate School.
(iii) An applicant who has a parent currently employed by Bloomfield Collegiate School.
(iv) An applicant who has a brother currently enrolled in Campbell College or Royal Belfast Academical Institution.
(v) An applicant who has a sister or mother who was a pupil of Bloomfield Collegiate School.
(vi) An applicant who has a brother formerly enrolled in Campbell College or Royal Belfast Academical Institution.
(vii) If, after all the criteria 2.4(i) to 2.4(vi) have been exhausted, there is a number of applicants who haveequal claim to the remaining places then those places will be allocated in strict rank order of theapplicant’s GCSE scores as defined above, those achieving higher scores being allocated places be-fore those with lower scores.
(viii) If more than one applicant is eligible for the final place priority will be given to the applicant whosehome is closer to the school. (Distance will be measured in a straight line using an Ordnance Surveyweb distance measurement tool from the candidate’s normal home address to the School’s front gate).
(The Board of Governors reserves the right to require such supplementary evidence as it maydetermine to support or verify information on any application form)
C Extra places made available by the Department of Education for admission into Year 13 (Sixth Form)
The Department of Education may, in response to a request from a school, increase the number of pupils the school can admit to Year 13. Places that become available in this way shall be allocated only to pupils who meet the basic eligibility criteria for sixth form (as above) and shall be allocated in the order determined by the criteria to be applied in the order set down.
1. Pupils who have most recently completed Year 12 in Bloomfield Collegiate School.
2. Pupils from other schools where admission to an extra place at Bloomfield Collegiate School has been agreed by the Department of Education.*
*Parents should note how the Department of Education (DE) will, in response to a school’s request, increase theschool’s enrolment number in order to allow extra post-16 pupil to enrol. DE will only increase the school’s enrol-ment number if it is content that each external pupil for whom a place is requested would not be able to pursuetheir post-16 course-choices at a suitable school without undertaking an unreasonable journey (i.e. a journeythat by public transport would be over an hour from where the young person lives). If DE finds that no other suita-ble school may provide all of the post-16 courses that the pupil wishes to pursue – then DE will agree aschool’s request for an extra place.
What is a school of a type that is suitable for a pupil? To determine this, DE first considers all schools to beone of 4 types: (i) denominational (ii) non-denominational (iii) Integrated and (iv) Irish-Medium. A school request-ing an extra place for a post-16 pupil will belong to one of these 4 types and DE will consider any other schoolfrom this same type as suitable for the pupil. DE will also consider as suitable for the pupil any school of thesame type as that attended by the child in Year 12.
Admissions Criteria - Year 13
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The information in this prospectus is accurate at the time of publication - January 2015.The Board of Governors reserve the right to make any changes necessary for thesmooth running of the school and in the best interests of the pupils.
Admissions Criteria - Year 14CRITERIA
Bloomfield Collegiate pupils, who wish to return into Year 14, must have achieved in AS examinations during Year 13 aminimum score of 70 points.
(Points Tariff: A = 60, B = 50, C = 40, D = 30, E = 20).
SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES
In the case of a Bloomfield Collegiate School pupil whose performance in the AS examinations may have been affectedby extreme medical or other circumstances, which were not taken into account during the examination periodunder special access or special consideration, the School’s Special Circumstances Committee will consider whetherit is appropriate to offer a place to repeat Year 13 and that places are available and that the Principal feels it is in thebest interests of the pupil to do so.
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