New Pupils
What Castlederg High School Can Offer You
Castlederg High School offers a quality educational experience in a highly supportive environment where success breeds success. Our pupils are at the centre of all we do. Each young person is challenged and supported in their learning, in a way that aims to bring out the best in them. Given the excellent performance of our pupils in GCSE and A Levels over the past number of years, it is an exciting time to be a part of our school community, where pupils are happy and motivated to learn.
All new pupils, whether a prospective Year 8, an entrant to another year group or Sixth Form, can be assured of a warm welcome by both staff and pupils. We know that changing school can be a nervous prospect for any young person, and their parent(s), but we assure you that you will be fully supported in your transition to us.
Experience shows that each of our new pupils:
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settles in surprisingly quickly
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feels a sense of belonging to our school community
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achieves success, often beyond their, and their parents, expectations.
Year 8 Induction Programme
Our aim is to ensure that the transition process for all pupils goes as smoothly as possible because even though it is an exciting time pupils can also be a little nervous.
All Year 6 pupils from our feeder primary schools are invited into our Big School Day and during this day they will sample a range of subjects, get to know staff and pupils from other primary schools.
Before Year 7 pupils decide on their new school Mrs Cashel (Vice-Principal) and Mrs Spratt (Induction Co-ordinator) visit all feeder primary schools to inform pupils what school life is like at Castlederg High School. All P7 pupils and their parents are invited to attend our Open Night in January so that they can see our school for themselves and the different subject areas.
When Year 7 pupils have selected their school Mrs Spratt and Mrs Cashel will visit the primary schools and speak to the pupils and their teacher. The pupils will then come into school for an Induction Day in June. This helps them settle in as they get to know the other Year 7 pupils who will be in their year group and it helps them get to know their way round school.
Feeder Primary Schools
We have a very wide catchment area which includes the following
feeder Primary Schools:
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Ardstraw Jubilee Primary School
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Edwards Primary School
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Gillygooley Primary School
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Gortin Primary School
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Irvinestown Primary School
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Kesh Primary School
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Killen Primary School
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Langfield Primary School
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Lack Primary School
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Newtownstewart Model Primary School
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Sion Mills Primary School
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Strabane Primary School.
Sixth Form
At Castlederg High School we offer sixth form students the opportunity to study and, indeed, excel, in a highly supportive, yet academically challenging environment. As well as providing progression for our current GCSE pupils, we also welcome students who have taken their GCSEs elsewhere. In fact, an increasing number of young people make the transition to Castlederg High School at post 16 level.
The extensive sixth form curriculum, delivered in collaboration with our partner schools and colleges in the Derg Mourne Learning Community ensures that each student can tailor their choice of subjects to meet their individual ability and aspirations. This personalized pathway may take the form of either academic or vocational A levels, or BTEC courses, or a combination of both.
Each student can be assured of high quality teaching within a learning environment in which they are valued and supported as an individual. A strong work ethic and the motivation to learn is nurtured in each young person, yielding excellent results. This approach, coupled with specialist careers guidance, leaves students well equipped to secure degree courses at Queen’s University, Ulster University, Stranmillis College, CAFRE or other higher or further education institutions.
The success of sixth form provision at Castlederg High School is evident in the fact that a significantly greater number of pupils than the average for non-selective post-primary schools progress from Year 14 into higher education.
Prospective sixth form pupils are encouraged to contact the school and make an appointment to see Mrs Mowbray, Head of Sixth Form.
Other Pupils
In addition to our dedicated Year 8 and Sixth Form Induction Programmes, Castlederg High School welcomes applications for admission from other pupils into Years 9 - 12.
We regularly welcome pupils who transfer to a variety of year groups during the course of the school year. Each pupil transferring will be supported on an individual basis so as to ensure they become successfully integrated into our school community.