Welcome to Firrhill High School “Firrhill – providing learning opportunities of the highest quality”

Success – positive outcomes for pupils Career Academy Winner (UK) Megan Thomson

CategoryEdinburghFirrhill Overall Positive93.1%95.1% Employment25.2%22.5% Higher Education40.8%55% Further Education21.5%15.7% “Firrhill – providing learning opportunities of the highest quality” Positive Destinations

“Firrhill – providing learning opportunities of the highest quality”

S4 Curriculum & National Qualifications Parent Information Evening September 2015

“Firrhill – providing learning opportunities of the highest quality” Senior Phase & Qualifications S4-6 The Broad General Education of S1-3. o Content and skills. o Interdisciplinary working. o Recognition of achievement. o Assessment which supports progression into S4-6 Transition into S4 takes account of S3.

“Firrhill – providing learning opportunities of the highest quality” What has changed? SCQF level Current National Qualification Replaced by New National QualificationsAvailable 3 Standard Grade (Foundation Level) Access 3  National Standard Grade (General level) Intermediate 1  National Standard Grade (Credit level) Intermediate 2  National Higher  Higher (new) Advanced Higher  Advanced Higher (new)2015

S4 S5 S6 National 5 Higher Advanced Higher Other Higher National 4 National 5 Higher Other National 5 National 3 National 4 National 5 Other qualifications available as appropriate in S5/6 e.g. CSLA, Food & Drink Manufacturing Industry, Literacy & Lifeskills, Duke of Edinburgh Awards “Firrhill – providing learning opportunities of the highest quality” Progression

“Firrhill – providing learning opportunities of the highest quality” Assessment National 5 Units + Added Value Unit + Final Exam Grades A – D National 4 Units + Added Value Unit Ungraded pass/fail National 3 Units Ungraded pass/fail

“Firrhill – providing learning opportunities of the highest quality” If a pupil fails NAT 5 (1)Compensatory National 4 pass if:- (a) Has passed all Units of National 5. (b) Has passed Added value Units of National 4. (c) With English/Maths, has passed literacy/ numeracy unit at National 4. (2) No appeals If a pupil has missed an exam due to special circumstances, then alternative evidence can be submitted

“Firrhill – providing learning opportunities of the highest quality” Assessment in Physical Education National 3-5 Internal Units: 1. Factors Impacting on Performance (written assessment) 2. Performance Skills (practical assessment) Greater flexibility in approaches to assessment. Verification procedures to maintain standards.

“Firrhill – providing learning opportunities of the highest quality” Assessment in Physical Education National 4 Added Value Unit (pass/fail) Performance 1.1Preparing mentally, emotionally, socially or physically for the performance 1.2Selecting and applying appropriate knowledge and skills during the performance 1.3Following rules or guidelines or protocols and accepting decisions 1.4Using safe practice, showing etiquette and managing emotions appropriately 1.5Carrying out roles and responsibilities appropriately during the performance

“Firrhill – providing learning opportunities of the highest quality” Assessment in Physical Education National 5 Portfolio and One Off Performance Portfolio (Written) (40%) Section 1:‘Understanding factors that impact on performance’ (8 marks) Section 2:‘Planning, developing and implementing approaches to enhance personal performance’ (16 marks) Section 3:‘Monitoring, recording and evaluating performance development’ (16 marks)

“Firrhill – providing learning opportunities of the highest quality” Assessment in Physical Education One Off Performance (60%) Section 1: ‘Planning and preparation’ (Written) (10 marks) Section 2:‘Performance’ (Practical) (40 marks) Section 2:‘Evaluation’ (Written) (10 marks) National 5 Physical Education is graded A - D

“Firrhill – providing learning opportunities of the highest quality” Assessment in Social Subjects National 3-5 Internal Unit Assessment In Geography: Physical Environments Human Environments Global Issues Greater flexibility in approaches to assessment. Verification procedures to maintain standards.

“Firrhill – providing learning opportunities of the highest quality” Assessment in Social Subjects National 4-5 Added Value Unit The Geography Assignment Choosing a topic to research Collecting information from a variety of sources including fieldwork and maps Planning and organising the report Presenting findings.

“Firrhill – providing learning opportunities of the highest quality” Assessment in Social Subjects National 5 Added Value Unit The Geography Assignment Worth 25% of the final grade Write up a report in 1 hour Can take processed information into the assessment Describe research methods, explain findings referring to processed information, reach valid conclusions.

“Firrhill – providing learning opportunities of the highest quality” Assessment in Social Subjects National 5 Final exam 1 hour and 30 mins 60 marks Selection of topics assessed from the 3 units. Added together with the mark for the assignment Course graded from A-D

“Firrhill – providing learning opportunities of the highest quality” Pupils looking back from NAT 5 The assessment seemed a lot in S4 but: - It is much heavier in S5, even if it is only 5 subjects Treat S4 as a “stepping stone” to prepare for S5.

“Firrhill – providing learning opportunities of the highest quality” Pupils – the issues All subjects were throwing homework, tests etc at you at the same time. Do homework as it is given to you rather than putting it off Hardest thing is the number of subjects to manage not the difficulty of the work. Give yourself enough time to revise thoroughly – as you go and before tests.

“Firrhill – providing learning opportunities of the highest quality” What are the tests? Added Value Units (AVUs) Unit Assessments Particularly important for Nat 4 Prelims/final exams There is a lot – managing time is really important.

“Firrhill – providing learning opportunities of the highest quality” Pupils – what can help? Parents can help: - Be understanding Try not to interfere – child’s responsibility –Encourage them to do well –Encourage them to meet deadlines If they ask for help make sure you do listen Not to worry, we need to relax or you make it harder on yourself Ensure your son/daughter has free time as revising 24/7 could do more damage than help.

“Firrhill – providing learning opportunities of the highest quality” Pupils – what can help? Other sources of help: - Teachers – revision classes – Guidance – Support for Learning “How to pass” guides, past papers, model papers BBC Bitesize ( SQA Website (

“Firrhill – providing learning opportunities of the highest quality” Pupil Support Team Ewan Brodie Pupil Support Leader Jill Campbell Pupil Support Leader Shona Dunn Pupil Support Leader Clare Gilchrist Support for Learning Leader

“Firrhill – providing learning opportunities of the highest quality” How do I support my child? Sources of information: - Tracking report 1: Tracking report 2: Full report: Parents’ night: Nationals in a nutshell ( Commercially available revision books, specimen papers etc. SQA and Education Scotland websites.