S2 Personalisation & Choice Information Evening 2019 Good Evening Ladies and Gentlemen and a very warm welcome to the S2 Personalisation and Choice information evening. Thank you very much for coming out in such splendid numbers, a very clear indication of your interest and partnership.

School Prayer Lord Jesus Thank you for the gifts you give us. Help us to care for the world we live in, And see the goodness in it. Give us the strength to help others. Guide us in everything we do. Lord Jesus, thank you. St Andrew’s and St Bride’s, Pray for Us

Agenda Introduction & Curricular Model Mrs Fiona Mullen Headteacher 2. Personalisation and Choice Programme Mr Bryson McGinlay Depute Head Teacher Pupil Voice – What the pupils think? Questions and Answers It is my pleasure to outline the programme for you this evening. After a short introduction and description of our curricular model here in St Andrew’s and St Bride’s from myself, Mr McGinlay l, Depute in charge of S2, will provide you with a details of how our choice programme will be supported over the coming weeks and months as well as advising you on ways you too can and should become involved in deciding which 8 subjects your child will chose to study in S3. You will then get a chance to hear some of the experiences of some of our young people that have been through this process and the tools that they will use in coming to the decisions they made. At the end there will be time for any questions you might have and to meet with some of the programme staff involved.

Curriculum for Excellence Confident Individuals Successful Learners Effective Contributors Responsible Citizens The success of any school will be judged not only on the academic achievements of its pupils but in the development of the whole child. In this we will see confident individuals, successful learners, effective contributors and responsible citizens. Our world is changing rapidly and we need to provide our young people with the versatile skills needed to survive and indeed thrive in this world……………… Presently your son/daughter is studying 18 subjects and in S3 this will be narrowed to only 11. A daunting process!! How can they choose and choose wisely? Surely they are too young to know what they want in later life? What happens if they make the wrong choice? Every year pupils, and indeed parents, go through the same trauma, but on the whole we do get it right.

Broad General Education Design Principles Challenge and enjoyment Breadth Progression Depth Personalisation and choice Balance and Coherence Relevance Over 300 Experiences and Outcomes

Broad General Education Design Principles Challenge and enjoyment Breadth Progression Depth Personalisation and choice Balance and Coherence Relevance Over 300 Experiences and Outcomes

Breadth v Depth Currently studying 18 subjects English, Maths, Mod Lang (Spanish or French), Social Subjects (Geog, History, Modern Studies), Science (Biology, Chemistry, Physics), ICT (Computing and Business), Technology, Home Economics, Art, Music, Drama, PE, RE and PSE Narrowing to 11 by asking to choose 8 subjects PE, RE and PSE Allowing for depth of study whilst maintaining breadth

A Balanced Curriculum Collaboration and Communication Numeracy CORE SKILLS Collaboration and Communication Numeracy Creativity and imagination Digital Literacy Leadership Citizenship Within the option choice it is imperative that we provide the pupils with a balanced curriculum, no matter what choice groupings they make it delivers core essential skills, and one which will give a clear progression pathway to further study. This balanced curriculum must develop a set of core skills

Ensuring coverage of BGE Interdisciplinary Learning Challenges Taste of Scotland Fit for Life Literacy and Numeracy across subjects. Disaster Challenge S3 E-profiling

Moving on from the Broad General Education Follow National Courses National 3 National 4 National 5 Higher Advanced Highers National Progression Awards Foundation Apprenticeships

How will courses be assessed? National 3 and 4 Internal assessments only Graded pass or fail National 5 Internal assessment contributing approx. 1/5 - 1/3 of final grade External examination Graded A, B, C or D pass Each of these courses will be graded on the whole using external examinations, with the exception of National 3 and 4. However the majority of the subjects will have a folio, assignment or performance element in S4, so pupils must now be aware that consistent effort is crucial.

Progression Routes S4 National 3   S5/S6 National 4   PASS

Progression Routes S4/5 National 4   S5/S6 National 5   PASS FAIL

Progression Routes S4/5 S5/S6 National 5 Higher Grade A/B   S5/S6 Higher   Grade A/B GRADE C/D/FAIL

Progression Routes S6 S5/6 Advanced Higher Higher Grade A/B   S6 Advanced Higher   Grade A/B GRADE C/D/FAIL

Progression Higher/National 6 National 5 National 4 S5 and S6 National Qualifications S4 National Qualifications National 5 National 4 National 3 Advanced Higher/National 7 A B C/D Pass Higher/National 6 National 5 Here we can see how subjects will be graded and how one can progress to the other. Go through gradings National 4

Personalisation and Choice Programme 2019 Good evening everyone. Bryson McGinlay– Depute Head in charge of S2 at the school I am here to take you through the timeline of the personalisation and choice program for your child. I will give you an overview of the subjects available and the supportive process to allow your child o make an informed choice.

Must take English Mathematics Religious Ed and Personal and Social Development Physical Education Modern Language – French/Spanish Social Subject - History, Geography, Mod Studies Science – Biology, Chemistry, Physics Expressive Arts – Art, Design and Manufacture, Drama, HE, Music, PE, Dance Technological – Accounting, Business, Computing, Graphics, Practical Woodwork, Administration Within this choice grouping pupils must therefore take: English, Maths, Mod lang, Science, RE (as part of our Catholic School ethos), PE (in an attempt to keep the pupils physical wellbeing in focus) and personal and social education which pulls together the life skills pupils will need in the outside world.

Draft Personalisation and Choice Form All pupils study as cor Languages English - 4 periods and Modern Languages - 3 periods Mathematics - 5 periods Religious, Moral & Citizenship Education (RMCE) - 3 periods Health & Wellbeing (Physical Education) - 2 periods SOCIAL SUBJECTS   3 Periods SCIENCE We are offering a free choice of 3 subjects from the following: All subjects are 3 Periods. We will endeavour to accommodate all 3 choices where possible. Social Subjects with a focus on Geography History Modern Studies Sciences with a focus on… Biology Chemistry Physics Environmental Science Chemistry Geography History Modern Studies Dance Physics Spanish Expressive Arts with a focus on … Art & Design Design & Manufacture Drama Health and Food Technology Music Physical Education Technologies with a focus on ... Accounting Administration & IT Computing Science Design & Manufacture Graphic Communication Practical Woodwork Health and Food Technology Business Management Choice Career Choice Your child will follow 8 National Qualifications in total and this is the traditional layout of the choice form. However, we are currently looking at this to see if we can make this a bit simpler so as to offer a bit more flexibility. Popular combinations include – 2 sciences, 2 social subjects, 2 technical subjects .

Supporting our Pupils RMCE “The Real Game” Plan IT Plus with Pupil Support Teacher (www.planitplus.net) Church Retreats from Tue 5th February until Tue 5th of March at Chatelherault From the start of second year pupils are made aware that this is a significant year for them, and various support activities are put in place. These come in a variety of forms such as choice workshops , paper based social education activities and computer based activities some of which match up their interests with potential careers. Real game is done in RMCE and focuses on life style choices, job profiles, income and outgoings of a household Plan It Plus – Job profiles based on 80 questions, Accurate, ranks jobs in order of suitability Retreats – Spirtiual aspect with a focus on choice. The setting away from school for a day of reflection is a vital component to the personalisation process.

Supporting our Pupils General information - Subject information Departments Information assemblies with Heads of Department Subject Principal Teachers explain what is involved in the study of their subject(s) emphasising career links Pupils issued with General information - Subject information Within specific subjects areas PTs and Faculty Heads explain what is involved in their subject and where this could lead Developing Scotland’s Young workforce boards around the school

Skills Development Scotland (SDS) Our Careers Adviser, Fiona Beltrami, works in partnership with us to ensure the best transition possible from S2 into S3. They provide: The leaflets issued tonight 1-1 / group interviews for all S2 pupils Attendance at our S2 Parents’ Consultation Evening on 21st of February. The opportunity to meet with you then, if necessary, they could meet with you before or after that evening. www.myworldofwork.co.uk Visits – small groups, focus on leaving school and the various opportunities and career pathways Willingness to engage with Parents/Carers on 1st March Also individually by appointment

Careers Fair Thursday 7th March 2019 6.30pm-8.30pm There will be around 25 ‘stalls’ in the street area with colleges, universities, employment providers, Skills Development Scotland, etc. to talk with about careers. There will also be 12 presentations that parents can opt into. These will each be 15 minutes long and there will be 4 presentations for each career. These can be found at https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/ 25 stall where a variety of providers will be represented. Book online to guarantee a place at the presentations available History of success with S4/5/6 parents also in attendance.

Parent Engagement Online Options booklet Available now on website Careers Fair 7th of March 2019 S2 Reports issued Friday 15th Feb 2019 S2 Parents’ Evening Thursday 21st of Feb 2019 S2 P & C interviews Mon25th of Feb onwards Timeline from today Booklets available tomorrow for those parents’ who require a physical copy. Detailed report from all subjects Opportunity to speak to teachers on 1st March, ask questions. Following Monday – Interviews will start

Pupil Support Interview Individual interview for every pupil Parents welcome to attend pupil interview Options sheet returned home for further discussion Signed Options sheet returned to school confirming selection Wealth of experience in the Pupil Support department PT’s know your pupils Discussion on reasons as to why Discussion about career choice CHANGES possible but classes become full quickly so making an informed choice is essential as early as possible.

Choosing Subjects POSITIVE REASONS good results in the past enjoy the subject need to take the subject for chosen job/career the subject broadens education and keeps choice of career possibilities reasonably open-ended So how will they choose? Here are some positive reasons for choosing good at it enjoy it essential to chosen career provides a broad base if career is unknown

Choosing Subjects NEGATIVE REASONS believe the subject is easy like the teacher rather than the subject choosing a subject because a friend is taking it don’t get much homework Here are some negative reasons subject easy percepetion that they are good teachers ( influenced by peers Practical subjects may issue less homework

What can parents do? Advise your child, if you can Read and discuss your child’s report Talk to teachers at Parents’ night Ask the questions Why are you choosing. . . . . . .? Are you likely to do well in . . . . . . ? Do you need . . . . . for your future? Will you be interested and enjoy . . . . ? So how can you help? Your help as I said earlier is crucial Advise Discuss Ask questions

Partnership Who cares? You do Your children do We do Let’s keep talking! HOME SCHOOL CHILD The partnership between school and home and child is crucial Pupils choose alone – mistakes? Parents choose for them – resentment? Teachers choose for them – objectivity?

What our pupils think! S3 Pupils who picked their subjects last year Anna McDonald Katie Nelson Moray Blackwood

Any Questions?