Slemish College
Encyclopedia
Slemish College is a co-educational integrated
secondary school located in Ballymena
, Northern Ireland
.
Slemish first opened its doors in September 1996 with just 84 pupils. The school has continued to grow with an annual intake of 120. It is one of the most oversubscribed schools in Northern Ireland. In June 2008 the college was given specialist school
status in the area of the Humanities
(Geography and English). It is the first specialist school in the Ballymena area and one of only three schools in the province to specialise in humanities.
The college is named after Slemish Mountain
near Ballymena in mid-Antrim
, which tradition suggests was home to Saint Patrick
during his youth.
Integrated Education
The Integrated education movement in Northern Ireland is an attempt to bring together children, parents and teachers from both Roman Catholic and Protestant traditions: the aim being to provide a balanced education, while allowing the opportunity to understand and respect all cultural and religious...
secondary school located in Ballymena
Ballymena
Ballymena is a large town in County Antrim, Northern Ireland and the seat of Ballymena Borough Council. Ballymena had a population of 28,717 people in the 2001 Census....
, Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
.
Slemish first opened its doors in September 1996 with just 84 pupils. The school has continued to grow with an annual intake of 120. It is one of the most oversubscribed schools in Northern Ireland. In June 2008 the college was given specialist school
Specialist school
The specialist schools programme was a UK government initiative which encouraged secondary schools in England to specialise in certain areas of the curriculum to boost achievement. The Specialist Schools and Academies Trust was responsible for the delivery of the programme...
status in the area of the Humanities
Humanities
The humanities are academic disciplines that study the human condition, using methods that are primarily analytical, critical, or speculative, as distinguished from the mainly empirical approaches of the natural sciences....
(Geography and English). It is the first specialist school in the Ballymena area and one of only three schools in the province to specialise in humanities.
The college is named after Slemish Mountain
Slemish
Slemish, historically called Slieve Mish , is a volcanic plug in County Antrim, Northern Ireland. It lies a few miles east of Ballymena, in the townland of Carnstroan.Slemish is the remains of the plug of an extinct volcano...
near Ballymena in mid-Antrim
County Antrim
County Antrim is one of six counties that form Northern Ireland, situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland. Adjoined to the north-east shore of Lough Neagh, the county covers an area of 2,844 km², with a population of approximately 616,000...
, which tradition suggests was home to Saint Patrick
Saint Patrick
Saint Patrick was a Romano-Briton and Christian missionary, who is the most generally recognized patron saint of Ireland or the Apostle of Ireland, although Brigid of Kildare and Colmcille are also formally patron saints....
during his youth.
Slemish College in partnership with parents and building on the good foundation of primary education, aims to enable each student to develop personally, socially and academically through active and challenging learning experiences which emphasise individual success and high expectations.
Personal Aims
- develop a whole school awareness of the equal worth of each individual, including students, parents and staff;
- facilitate the professional development of each member of staff;
- help students develop a further awareness of their own strengths and potential;
- help students develop self discipline.
Social Aims
- encourage the school community to work in partnership for the maximum benefit of all its members;
- develop a lasting spirit of tolerance, mutual respect and concern for others;
- develop an awareness of our responsibilities towards others and property.
Culture
- promote understanding amongst students and staff of their cultural backgrounds;
- encourage students to show respect and understanding of those whose culture, beliefs or lifestyle may be different from their own;
- celebrate the rich, cultural diversity in Slemish College.
Moral and Spiritual
- develop in students, an awareness of moral standards;
- provide opportunities for students to develop an awareness of their individual spiritual needs.
Community
- prepare students for opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of adult life;
- promote community interest in and involvement in the life of the College.