Puer Iesus College

Can My 11-year-old Join The College? 

Yes, but only for the academic year intake of September 2025. Schools typically use 2 to 3 years (Yrs 7, 8 and 9) to prepare students for the commencement of GCSE courses. Similarly, we require 2 or 3 years to ready our students for GCSE courses, during our preparatory years, usually Years 3, 4 and 5.

Our prepping period is essential to help students adapt to our independent learning method, address any gaps in their knowledge and understanding, and ensure a smooth transition to GCSEs, especially considering the young age of children starting GCSEs with us aged 10 rather than 14 in schools. Consequently, children usually join us in Years 3 or 4, according to the English school-age system. However, we acknowledge that students who are now 11 years old or older could not have joined us when they were 10 or younger, as the college formally opens only from September 2024. Therefore, we are making a concession, lasting until the September 2025 intake.

Apart from the need for better preparation for GCSEs, our experience has shown that individuals approaching or in their teenage years can show greater resistance to changes in their prayer life, catechesis, and the pursuit of virtue. In contrast, younger children tend to handle these life adaptations more effortlessly. Accepting adolescents as an entry point may have a detrimental impact on the learning and overall experience of all students. For these reasons, we do not permit entry beyond 2025 for those aged over 10.

Can I Choose What Days,  or Times To Participate In The College? 

We believe strongly in trying to build a Christian community, we are not attempting to be a Co-Op. The only allowed days or sessions that students could miss would be due to illness for example. Children are expected to be on time at the start of the day for morning prayer, and leave only after evening prayer time has finished. Persistent lateness would involve an interview with parents to diagnose and advise on underlying problems. If regular lateness continued, a family would be asked to leave the college.

How Many GCSEs and A Levels Will My Children Take?

The number of GCSEs and A Levels that students undertake closely correlates with the school year they join us. Students who enrol in Year 3 or 4 typically opt for 7 to 10 GCSEs and 2 to 5 A Levels or AS Levels. Those facing academic challenges, starting with us in Year 5 or 6 typically pursue 5 or 4 GCSEs respectively. Students commencing in Year 2 typically engage in 11 or more GCSEs and 5 to 6 A Levels.

For concessionary cases, 11 to 16-year-olds starting with us in 2025 without learning difficulties would undertake up to 8 GCSEs, followed by 3 A Levels.

Students do not study more than 4 GCSEs over any two-year period with us and we do not offer GCSE or A Level courses to be completed within a single academic year. This approach allows ample room for other crucial aspects of life-learning and spiritual activities that teenagers require for a comprehensive education.

Can I Choose What GCSEs and A Levels My Child Will Take? 

Decisions about what GCSEs and A Levels your children take are made by parents and learning support mentors together. Whether it's ICT, Polish, or Economics, a variety of GCSE options are available. We recommend a well-rounded selection that includes languages, Maths/Sciences, and Humanities. Through discussions with parents and students, we explore potential post-GCSE options, ensuring that the chosen GCSEs align with the students' aspirations for their academic journey beyond this stage.

Please note that, currently, we are unable to offer vocational GCSEs or those involving machinery, such as Design and Technology or Food Technology.

I have a Child Who Has Special Educational Needs - Can They Join?

We strive to accommodate the majority, if not all, students with Special Educational Needs, with the collaboration of parents. If your child demonstrates a foundational understanding of Mathematics and English (successfully passing our basic entrance tests) and is capable of independent study, even if they are a few years older than peers at a similar level, we would be delighted to welcome them to the College. Additionally, we will assess on an individual basis the possibility of admitting a student over the age of ten who may not be self-sufficient in their studies, provided that parents can arrange for a learning support assistant to assist them.

How Many Hours a Week Do Children Have With a Particular Subject Tutor?

These vary by the nature of the tutorial: weekly for small groups of four students, down to bi-weekly or monthly for one-to-one tutorials. The bulk of student GCSE and A Level work is undertaken by independent study of a course adapted by the college. One-to-one tutorials for GCSE and A Level subjects are undertaken in the second year of study leading up to examinations. One-to-one music lessons are once per week for 15 minutes.

I Am Worried My Children Might Be Taught Material Not In Conformity With The Catholic Church

 All our learning support mentors and assistants are practising Catholics. Learning support mentors and assistants are employed by us and are trained not to teach or present as fact information that is contrary to the teachings of the Church. Furthermore, staff are not to promote disobedience to existing Church regulations or criticise current Church officials. Our subject-specific tutors, many of whom are not Catholic, teach on a self-employed lesson-by-lesson basis with whom we can stop services at any time if they wish to teach matters strictly in opposition to the teachings of the Church. 

To equip students for contemporary life, in conjunction with parents, we gradually introduce students to the realities of the world at age-appropriate stages. Our educational approach emphasises respect for others regardless of background, identity or beliefs. To present Christian apologetics effectively, it is essential to engage with diverse perspectives. This practice enhances students' understanding of the Catholic position and enables them to articulate it clearly to others.

What Musical Instrument Exam Boards Do You Use?

We utilize available exam boards for your child's chosen instrument, for which we can find a suitable tutor. Typically, this involves ABRSM for traditional music exams or Rock School for contemporary music exams.