Second Level
At 16, some pupils stay at school and study Advanced Level AS and A2 Level subjects, which are more vocational qualifications such as Applied Advanced Levels. Controlled schools are under the management of the school Boards of Governors, and the employing authorities are the five education and library boards. Most are, in fact, Presbyterian, Church of Ireland, and Methodist, and the transferors maintain a link through church representation on the controlled board school of governors.
Roman Catholic managed schools.
The Council for Catholic Maintained Schools advocates for the sector representing trustee schools and governors. It employs teachers and has a role in supporting teachers through welfare and working parties.
The Council consists of Department of Education representatives, trustee representatives, parent’s representatives, and teacher’s representatives.
The Council was established under the 1989 Education Reform (Northern Ireland) Order.
Secondary schools provide education for key stage three and four, approximately 11 to 16 to GCSE stage.
Further education was provided by the continuation of secondary school or grammar schools. This covers year eight to year 12, culminating in GCSE.
Sixth form represents the final two years of secondary school, which may be in secondary or grammar schools or in further education colleges. It is post-compulsory education, distinct from higher education or further in universities.
Controlled schools may be primary, secondary, modern, or grammar school.
Maintained Schools.
The further education colleges maintain over 40 campuses in 400 outreach community locations. They offer a range of courses in partnership with post-primary schools; deliver a range of technical and professional courses, including national and first diplomas. Colleges work in partnership with a large number of local schools in the delivery of the framework.
Provision ranges from GCSE A Levels, BTECs, HNCs, foundation degrees, apprenticeship degrees, and other specific training programs.