S1/2/3 Parents – Curriculum for Excellence Information Evening 7.00 pm Thursday 12 September 2013

What’s it All About? The 4 Capacities. Greater emphasis on Literacy, Numeracy and Health and Wellbeing. Skills Development. Redefinition of “Curriculum” - 4 elements. Reducing Assessment. Increasing Attainment and Achievement.

“A Curriculum for Excellence” in Westhill Academy Improved learning and teaching. Better motivation and engagement of pupils. Further work with partners to enhance learning and make it “real and relevant.” More effective links in learning. Structural changes from 2/2/2 to 3/3 and the introduction of the revised qualifications. Improved achievement and attainment.

S1- 3 Broad General Education English/Maths – 2.5 periods S1 – S3. Science – 2 periods S1/2 – 3 period Rota in S3. Social Subjects 2 periods S1/2 - Rota S3. Modern Languages – 2 periods French S1- S3. Tasters in S3 for German and Spanish. Art, Design and Technology – Linked S1/2 – Discrete S3. Drama/Music– Linked S1/2 – Discrete S3.

S1 – S3 BGE Continued. Home Economics – 1 period S1/2. Computing/Business Education – 1 period S1/2/3. PE – 1 period S1, 2 periods S2/3. Personal and Social Education – 1 period S1 – S3. Skills Based Short Courses 1 period in S2.

The S3 Experience S3 completes the Broad General Education and prepares for the National Qualifications. Pupils will pick 4 subjects in addition to English and Maths in February/March of S3. In most subjects they will be picking a subject and not a level. All pupils will complete a Profile to record their achievements in the BGE and out with school.

Qualification Framework Old System Revised System Curriculum for for Excellence from May 2014 1/2 Access 1 and 2 Access 1 and 2 National 1 and 2 1 and 2 3 Foundation S Grade Access 3 National 3 3 4 General S Grade Intermediate 1 National 4 4 5 Credit S Grade Intermediate 2 National 5 5 6 Higher Higher Higher 6 7 Advanced Higher Advanced Higher Advanced Higher 7

Assessment in the New Qualifications National 1/2/3/4 are entirely internally assessed. 3 units plus a value added task. They are pass/fail. National 5/Higher/Advanced Higher have 3 internally assessed units and an external examination. Graded A to D, with A, B and C being considered passes. All are subject to external moderation procedures by the SQA.

Appeals from May 2014 This is the last year of the current system. From May 2014 there will be no “post-result” appeals but there will be “pre-result” appeals. However it is possible to ask for an “administrative check” and/or a remarking of a script. This will have a cost.

Major Changes and Implications Pupils will only sit one level of examination. This means we have to make decisions with S4 pupils not required in the past. (S4 tracking early, S4 Parents Meeting November.) The internal assessment of units in all courses means that moderation/standards must be correct. (School, authority, national plans.) No post-result appeals may effect some results. The more efficient use of staffing across the Senior Phase will increase options and decrease class sizes.