Kincorth Academy Kincorth Academy 6/3/2018 Senior Phase Courses Kincorth Academy New National Qualifications

Old and new qualifications Kincorth Academy 6/3/2018 Old and new qualifications Old New Access 2 Foundation/Access 3 General/Intemediate 1 Credit/Intermediate 2 Higher Advanced Higher National 2 National 3 National 4 National 5 New Higher New Advanced Higher New National Qualifications

What is required in these courses? All National Qualifications* require units to be passed to complete the course successfully At National 4 an Added Value Unit will be completed instead of an exam. At National 5/Higher/AH an exam will be set in nearly all subjects to help determine overall grades along with Assignments

The Award National 2, 3 and 4 Pass/fail only Kincorth Academy 6/3/2018 The Award National 2, 3 and 4 Pass/fail only National 5/Higher/Advanced Higher Grades A, B or C = Pass Grade D = Overall award New National Qualifications

Kincorth Academy 6/3/2018 Expectations The one year course is a sprint – at no time can a pupil drift behind with their work. If they are off they have the responsibility to catch up. If a pupil feels they are not coping with any aspect of the course – ask for help (teacher, PTG, DHT) The jump to Higher from National 5 is HUGE – do not underestimate it New National Qualifications

Kincorth Academy 6/3/2018 Homework Homework will be issued regularly, but pupils need to look over their work regularly. It is part of the course, not an add on. Complete homework on time and to the best of their ability – not quickly to ‘get it done’ Revise – regularly to avoid the need to ‘cram’ New National Qualifications

Kincorth Academy 6/3/2018 What you should know Each subject at Higher has internal units that MUST be passed for you to achieve an award At N5 pupils may sit internal units if there is concern the exam may not be passed The assessment for internal units can be retaken once. Before taking a resit, the pupil should be informed by the department and time should be given for them to make necessary improvements At N5 and above pupils may complete externally assessed Assignments which contribute to their overall grade. Deadlines for the completion of externally assessed work will be explained to pupils New National Qualifications

National 5 – Key changes Internal units have been removed as a compulsory element of the course There is no automatic ‘fall back’ position to National 4 – know as Recognising Positive Achievement Exams have been extended to account for the removal of units. Exams have been introduced in some courses e.g. Practical Woodworking A Grade D Award will be given for pupils gaining around 40% in the exam (this will depend on the exam) – previously a D was awarded for those achieving 45%

Dates for your diary Thursday 5th October – Parents’ consultation evening 18th December – Full report 29th January to 9th February - Assessment weeks Early March – interim report Early May – SQA exams begin Early August – results

SQA Results - S4 Literacy Numeracy Literacy & Numeracy Level 2014 2015 2016 2017 3+ 90.91 90.09 87.74 97.7 4+ 87.27 87.39 82.08 95.4 5+ 44.55 54.95 61.32 67.8 Numeracy Level 2014 2015 2016 2017 3+ 98.18 97.3 98.11 98.9 4+ 94.55 94.59 91.51 97.7 5+ 34.55 68.47 87.74 87.4 Literacy & Numeracy Level 2014 2015 2016 2017 3+ 90 89.19 86.79 97.7

SQA Results - S4 Breadth and Depth % 5@5 3@5 1@5 5@4 2017 40 60 83 85   5@5 3@5 1@5 5@4 2017 40 60 83 85 2016 32 86 71 2015 22 49 88 66 2014 15 35 75 54

Attendance

Future Earnings – a little motivation Someone leaving with qualifications at National 4 and 5 can expect to earn around £16,700 as an adult If you leave with Highers this rises to £19,240 If you get further qualifications from College this could rise to £24,240 If you gain a degree this rises to £31,000 If you leave with no qualifications earnings would expect to be around £13,000 if in employment

Main points There is no time to coast doing Nationals or Higher Changes to National 5 mean pupils will be expected to hit the standards throughout the year, not just in May next year. Some sacrifices will need to be made to be successful! Doing well in exams opens doors for pupils – into college, university, apprenticeships, careers – it is worthwhile!