High School Programme

The High School programme offers young international students the opportunity to live with a carefully selected local host family and attend a local secondary school either in Derry (Northern Ireland) or in Letterkenny (Republic of Ireland). Students can spend between 1 term and 3 terms (full academic year) attending school, supported by our team of coordinators and student mentors.

By living with a family and studying at the local secondary school, students become fluent in another language, open their minds to another culture, make lifelong friends and learn more than ever about themselves and the world around them.

High School Programme

Course Description

Programme Overview

Full board accommodation with a local host family (breakfast, packed lunch and dinner each day)
Enrolment at a local secondary or grammar school
Transfer on arrival
Welcome orientation and student handbook
Support provided by a local Foyle representative
Opportunity to do voluntary work

Locations available are: Derry (N. Ireland and UK system) or Letterkenny, Donegal (Rep of Ireland).

EDUCATION IN NORTHERN IRELAND

Northern Ireland follows the UK education system which is renowned across the world.

The education system in N. Ireland differs slightly from systems elsewhere in the United Kingdom. The main differences are:

Point of entry: A child’s age from 1^st July determines entry to relevant stage of education, whereas England and Wales this date is 1st September.
AS Levels: Sixth form is comprised of two years, which student study for their A Levels. For some subjects, Northern Irish school still sit AS Level exams (first year of sixth form) which counts toward final A Level grade. This is no longer the case in England.
Name of school years: In Northern Ireland, the first year of primary school is Year 1/Primary 1, whereas in England, it is called “Reception” and Year 1 afterwards (which is the second year of school)

Northern Ireland’s results at GCSE and A Levels are consistently top in the UK.