Curriculum Evening Mearns Academy S3 into S4

Tonight’s Meeting To outline key tasks and conversations which help create the timetable and the curriculum To confirm that support given from teachers and importantly Guidance Teachers To support parents in supporting your child To confirm that we understand this is a difficult and sensitive time making realistic choices. To ask any questions.

Current S3 Timeline Jan/Feb Tracking Window and Reports with recommendations written. Parents Evening to discuss progress and pupil potential Course Choice Booklet available on School Website. Maths and English + 4 free choices, in priority order & 1 reserve. Input from Guidance Teachers. Feb/March 6 columns created to best fit pupil choices and staff capacity. Pupils choose Maths, English and one subject from remaining 4 columns. Guidance offer significant support and liaise with parents March/April Timetable completed and classes assigned

Mearns Academy Curriculum Structure 2014

S4 Courses Mearns Academy 2015 National 4/5 Administration & IT Art & Design Biology Business Management Chemistry Dance Drama English French Geography Graphic Communication History Hospitality Nat 4 Mathematics Modern Studies Music PE Physics Practical Woodworking Design and Manufacturing RMPS

What S4 choices might look like What am I interested in? What am I good at? What would be best to study for my future plans? What will I work at best? What do my teachers recommend? What does my parent/carer say? What can I do to keep my options open?

When choices are made All pupils in S4 can start a course at the appropriate level – Nat 3, Nat 4 or Nat 5 Build on their skills from S3 and work hard to be presented at the highest level. Maths and English supports Numeracy and Literacy > Opens up Curriculum and Learning Use your Value-Added to complete homework and consolidate classwork Engage with PE, healthy body, healthy brain

Staying on Track Guidance Teacher there for Support. PSE – Study Skills, Health, Employability Value Added – Hmwk, UASPs, Breathing Space Three Tracking Windows and Grade Reports Show My Homework, Parent Letters. National Parent Forum of Scotland (Nationals in a Nutshell) SQA Website UASPs offer progression Class Teachers Positive Destinations

S3 Course Choice Guidance Input

Guidance Staff Input PSE Knowledge of the pupils – through discussion and teacher feedback Knowledge of their strengths and any areas for improvement My World of Work S3 Report issued 5/2/15 – with recommendation of level of study from staff S3 Parents Evening – Tuesday 10/2/15

Other Agencies Skills Development Scotland Jobs & careers advice - apprenticeships, learning, training - | | My World of WorkJobs & careers advice - apprenticeships, learning, training - | | My World of Work School Learners - SQA Careers Library Careers Adviser appointments available for pupils through Guidance

Don’t Panic! Think about the questions below and it should become a lot easier: What subjects do I enjoy most? What subjects am I good at? What are my skills and interests? What do I like doing outside school? Career aspirations? Choose subject (s) because you want to and not because your friends choose it Don’t choose a subject because you like the teacher Where can I get advice?

Curriculum Evening Mearns Academy S4 into S5 S5 into S6

Tonight’s Meeting To outline key tasks and conversations which help create the timetable and the curriculum To confirm that support given from teachers and importantly Guidance Teachers To support parents in supporting your child To confirm that we understand this is a difficult and sensitive time making realistic choices. To ask any questions.

Current S4 Timeline Jan/Feb 2 nd Assessment Window Supports dialogue with teachers regarding Target Grades and S5 Aspirations. 5 free choices, in priority order and one reserve. Input from Guidance Teachers. Feb/March 5 (+1 core) columns created to best fit pupil choices and staff capacity. Pupils will choose one subject from each of the columns. Important to be realistic about levels of study. Guidance offer significant support and liaise with parents March/April Timetable completed and classes assigned

Current S5 Timeline Jan/Feb 2 nd Assessment Window Supports dialogue with teachers regarding Target Grades and S5 Aspirations. Minimum of 4 free choices, in priority order and one reserve. Input from Guidance Teachers. Feb/March 5 (+1 core) columns created to best fit pupil choices. “Full-Time Education” - pupils will choose one subject from any 4 columns. Impacts on EMA Advanced Highers will be discussed in more detail. Guidance offer significant support and liaise with parents March/April Timetable completed and classes assigned

Mearns Academy Curriculum Structure 2014

National 5HigherAdvanced Higher Administration & IT Art & Design Biology Business Management Dance Drama English French Geography Graphic Communication History Hospitality Mathematics Modern Studies Music PE Practical Woodworking Design and Manufacturing RMPS Sports Leadership Administration & IT Art & Design Biology Business Management Chemistry Drama English French Geography Graphic Communication History Mathematics Modern Studies Music PE *Psychology (Dundee and Angus College) Physics Design and Manufacturing RMPS Spanish Art & Design Biology Chemistry English French Geography Graphic Communication History Mathematics Modern Studies Music Physics *Any student considering AH study must discuss arrangements with Faculty Heads*

What S5 choices might look like What am I interested in? What am I good at? What are my future study plans, including S6 plans? What will I work at best? What do my teachers recommend? What does my parent/carer say? What can I do to keep my options open? Column AColumn BColumn CColumn DColumn E S5/6S4Totals S5/6S4Totals S5/6S4Totals S5/6S4Totals S5/6S4Totals AdminH240 ArtH130 EnglishH290 EnglishH280 BusinessH210 BiologyH140 ChemistryH180 English5150 English5270 FrenchH110 BiologyH120 ProductH170 Maths5260 MathsH220 HistoryH280 ComputingH110 DramaH120 MathsH180 PEH300 GeographyH120 Hospitality5606Sports5190 PhysicsH200 GraphicH150 ModsH290 REH240 GraphicH140 MusicH100

When choices are made Nearly all pupils in S5 will start a course at the appropriate level – Nat 5 or Higher Build on their skills from S4 and work hard to ensure progression. Pre-requisite Qualifications. Maths and English not compulsory but core subjects which supports Numeracy and Literacy > Opens up Curriculum and Learning Use your Study Periods to complete homework and consolidate classwork Engage with PE, healthy body, healthy brain

Staying on Track Guidance Teacher there for Support. PSE – Study Skills, Health, Employability Study Periods – Hmwk, UASPs, Breathing Space Three Tracking Windows and Grade Reports Show My Homework, Parent Letters. National Parent Forum of Scotland (Nationals in a Nutshell) SQA Website UASPs offer progression Class Teachers Positive Destinations

S4 Course Choice Guidance Input

Guidance Staff Input PSE Knowledge of the pupils – through discussion and teacher feedback Knowledge of their strengths and any areas for improvement My World of Work S5/6 Assessment Window and Interim Grade Report.

Other Agencies Skills Development Scotland Careers Library Careers Adviser appointments available for pupils through Guidance

Don’t Panic! Think about the questions below and it should become a lot easier: What subjects do I enjoy most? What subjects am I good at? What are my skills and interests? What do I like doing outside school? Career aspirations? Choose subject (s) because you want to and not because your friends choose it Don’t choose a subject because you like the teacher Where can I get advice?