Under the revised timetable, the school day now starts at 8:35 am, and finishes at 3:00 pm, with five 1-hour lessons, a 15-minute break between first and second lessons, and a 35-minute dinner break between third and fourth lessons. Each year group has several tutor groups, each taking a letter from the academy's name. Tutors stay with the children throughout their time at the academy, unless there is a specific reason. Each year group also has a Head Of Year. In years 7, 8, and 9, these years classes are split into two "halves". Each half has their classes together, but split into ability groups for various subjects. For years 10 and 11, the "halves" are joined for their GCSE's, where student's are mainly placed into ability groups for a better learning environment providing to the needs of the different students.
Sixth form
The sixth form is relatively small, with 20 students in year 13, and around 60 in year 12. There is a range of AS/A2 level courses available to take, and the classes are small. As of September 2006, the Quarrydale sixth form have entered into a consortium which includes Ashfield School, Kirkby College and Sutton Community Academy to offer an extended choice of sixth form courses over the various school sites. The school has recently received a grant in order to refurbish the ground floor of the sixth form block, and recently extended the sixth form block to accommodate a large communal area and several quiet-study classrooms. In order with the rest of the school to keep its smart apparel the sixth form has a uniform, conforming to 'smart/casual'.
School
The school has recently undergone redecoration in several areas. The science block has had its classrooms refurnished, and modernised. And other classrooms have been converted into new computer rooms. Several of the subject blocks have been moved around, with only English, P.E, Science, Technology and the sixth form building being exempted from this re-arrangement. The school is now undergoing further improvements on blocks which didn't receive redecoration. The school has 6.9% authorised absences which is marginally above the national average. It also experiences 3% unauthorised absences which is over three times the national level. The proportion achieving five A* to C passes, including in English and mathematics, is well above average and continues to rise. Sutton Community Academy, a nearby ‘competitor’, is often shown worse than Quarrydale in the league tables and general image.
Notable former pupils
Kris Commons, retired-footballer who formerly played for Celtic F.C. and Scotland international.
