Learning in Years 7 to 11

In secondary school, we encourage boys to take greater responsibility for their own education. However, we appreciate that each boy will reach this level of responsibility at different times according to their maturity and motivation.

Maintaining good academic progress is important, and every student is closely monitored by his Form Tutor as well as the Academic Head of Year.

The Academic Head of Year (listed below) works with the five Form Tutors in each Year. Their role is to:

• Raise expectations and instil confidence in students
• Improve individual performance
• Keep students and parents informed about progress and anticipated grades
• Identify and underperformance and provide support

The Form Tutor looks after a specific class and is their specific point of contact every day. The Form Tutor is usually the teacher best placed to monitor personal or academic issues.

Key Stage 3

In Years 7, 8 and 9 students follow the Jersey Curriculum with the addition of Food Technology and two hours a week of sport. A comprehensive programme of Personal, Social and Health Education (PSHE) is also part of the curriculum and covers a range of wellbeing areas such as relationships, self-esteem and personal safety alongside citizenship and study of Jersey’s unique political system and local government.

Key Stage 4

In Years 10 and 11 students study mandatory core subjects: English, mathematics, religious education, a modern foreign language. All students also have lessons in PE, careers and PSHE. Alongside these subjects, students can choose to study six Options of their choice. Many subjects offer extra-curricular activities that provide support and extension work to students who show particular interest in the area.

The vast majority of our Year 11 students stay on with us through to Years 12 and 13, the Sixth Form, to study A levels and prepare for university or work. Find out more about our Sixth Form here, or contact our Head of Sixth Form, Alan Falle: a.falle@vcj.sch.je. 

Curriculum and Subjects

Our curriculum is a rich and stimulating mixture of subjects, designed to meet the diverse needs of our students and challenge them to reach their full potential. For subject information, read the GCSE Options Guide 2019. For a curriculum overview please click on the subject titles below.

Academic reporting

Your son’s teachers will set him targets and monitor his progress to ensure that he is on track. We will keep you informed of your son’s progress in several ways throughout the Academic Year 2019/20:

• Two parent evenings
• Progress Reviews which provide a summary of a student’s effort, achievement and any areas of concern
• A comprehensive report with grades and comments from each of your son’s teachers

If at any time, you are concerned or have a question regarding your son’s academic progress, contact us straight away so that we can support him as needed. Your first port of call is his Form Tutor.

Exams

Special Educational Needs

The role of the SENCO is to identify and coordinate the special provisions needed by those boys who:

• Have specific learning difficulties or complex visual or physical needs
• Are High Potential Learners

For SEN queries, contact our SENCO, Orla Priestley: o.priestley@vcj.sch.je

The role of the Inclusion Coordinator is to:

• coordinate the special provisions needed by boys who have specific mental health, social, emotional, wellbeing and behavioural needs
• work with staff, parents and outside agencies, if needed, to ensure that every boy has, as much as possible, equal opportunity to attend school punctually and consistently, to learn and perform well in both their lessons and exams 

For Inclusion or accessibility queries, contact Inclusion Coordinator, Sue Watkins: s.watkins@vcj.sch.je

The Library

The De Quetteville Library is a welcoming and thriving learning space that combines technology to facilitate modern education and the charm and atmosphere of a traditional library. The oldest section was an integral part of the original school teaching room when it was established in 1852. It was then refurbished in 1905, with carved oak shelving donated by the De Quetteville family.

The Library plays a central role in supporting teaching and learning across the curriculum, and aims to develop in the boys’ lifelong enjoyment of reading. It provides:

During break and lunch time, all students are welcome in the Library to study, research or simply read or listen to audio books.

For Library queries, contact Librarian, James Wooldridge j.wooldridge@vcj.sch.je