Methodist College Belfast

Admissions to Form 1

Stages for Entry to MCB in Form 1

February

Parents have interviews with the Principals of primary schools or preparatory departments. At these interviews, preference of grammar/secondary school is entered on the appropriate transfer report form.

March

If Methodist College is named as the first preference school the transfer form is received by the Principal. Places are allocated up to the maximum number for which the College has accommodation. In accordance with the Education Reform Order, the College has established criteria for admission in the event of there being more applicants than places. These criteria are published on the Education Authority's website and the College website.

Late May

Parents are informed by the school that their child has been allocated to.

June

Parents and pupils who have been accepted by the College are invited to an Introductory Meeting to meet their Head of Form, Deputy Head of Form, Form Tutor, Tutor and some other staff, as well as the others who will be joining them in next year's Form 1

Admissions to Form 2-5

Completed Application Forms should be returned to: admissions@methody.org

The criteria for admitting pupils to places in Forms 2 to Form 5 have been approved by the Board of Governors of Methodist College Belfast. The application of the criteria is delegated to an Admissions Panel consisting of the Principal, the Vice Principal (Admissions) and one other member of the Senior Leadership Team. Consideration will be given to any medical or other problem that may have temporarily affected a student’s academic performance. This needs to be supported by appropriate documentary evidence. A pupil will be admitted only where their admission will not prejudice the efficient use of resources.

Entry to Forms 2 to 4

Applications should be received by the College by the middle of April each year to allow information to be sent to parents regarding the entrance assessments which are held in early May each year.

The decision of the Admissions Panel will be based on the following evidence of academic ability:

• The two most recent school reports;
• Assessments set by the College in English, Maths and Non-Verbal Reasoning;
• Any other appropriate evidence of academic ability and/or potential.

Please note that only in exceptional circumstances (e.g. a family move necessitating a change of school) will new pupils be admitted to Form 5.

Admissions to Form L6

Completed Application Forms should be returned to: admissions@methody.org

The criteria for admitting pupils to places in Lower Sixth have been approved by the Board of Governors of Methodist College Belfast. The application of the criteria is delegated to an Admissions Panel consisting of the Principal, the Vice Principal (Admissions) and one other member of the Senior Leadership Team. Consideration will be given to any medical or other problem that may have temporarily affected a student’s academic performance. This needs to be supported by appropriate documentary evidence. A pupil will be admitted only where their admission will not prejudice the efficient use of resources.

Applicants to Lower Sixth must have achieved the following academic entry requirements:

• A minimum of 6 GCSE passes at Grade ‘C’ or above (all taken by the end of Form 5);
• Students are expected to take three subjects to A level. This means that for the majority of students entry to Lower Sixth will require them to have achieved a minimum of 3 B Grades and 3 C Grades at GCSE including English Language and Mathematics;
• Grade ‘B’ or above in each of the subjects to be taken at A level (or in a related subject if the A subject is first available at that level - see note 1);
• Students may request to take a 4th subject if they:
  • Intend to apply for a university course that requires 4 A Levels or
  • Are studying Mathematics and Further Mathematics at A Level or
  • Have another compelling reason to study an additional subject

Note: (1) A related subject is a subject taken at GCSE which requires comparable skills to a proposed A Level subject.

Applications will be considered once the GCSE results are published in August each year. Admission will be based on the grades achieved and subject choices chosen. Those achieving higher grades will be selected before those achieving lower grades. The College may not be able to course some subject combinations.

Priority for entry to Sixth Form and to Sixth Form courses will be given to pupils already enrolled at Methodist College.

*Please note that only in exceptional circumstances will new students be admitted to Upper Sixth*

Issues which arise from the admissions process may be raised with the College through The Appeals Panel composed of three members of the Board of Governors, selected by the Education and Extra-Curricular Committee of the Board of Governors.