Making Option Choices for the Senior Phase Curriculum Information Evening: Thursday 7 th January 2016.

Introductions Mr George Cooper - Head Teacher Mrs Alison Boyles - DHT, Curriculum Mrs Maureen Daniel - DHT, Year Head

Curriculum Architecture Broad General Education up to the end of S3 breadth of courses personalisation and choice (constraints) most working at level 3 or 4 experiences and outcomes in S3. Senior Phase S4 – S6 breadth of courses Choice (less constraints) National Qualifications (National 4 or 5, Highers, Advanced Highers).

Broad General Education: S1 - 3 S3 Curriculum is organised into 8 Curriculum Areas: Mathematics Languages (English & French) RME Health & Wellbeing (PE & PSE) Science Social Studies Expressive Arts Technologies + 2 Elective subjects

What is the Senior Phase for? All young people in Scotland have an entitlement to a senior phase of education which: provides specialisation, depth and rigour prepares them well for achieving qualifications to the highest level of which they are capable continues to develop skills for learning, skills for life and skills for work continues to provide a range of activities which develop the four capacities supports them to achieve a positive and sustained destination. (educationscotland.gov.uk)

From Broad General Education to Senior Phase Broad General Education: S1 – S3 8 Curriculum Areas Senior Phase: S4 – S6 S4: 7 subjects (National 4/5) S5: 5 subjects (National 5/H) S6: 4 courses (National 5/H/AH)

S6 - 4 courses (National 5 / Higher / Adv Higher) S5 - 5 subjects (National 5 /Higher) S4 - 7 subjects & PE, PSE, RE (National 4/5) S3 - 8 curriculum areas & PE, PSE, RE (9 courses & PE, PSE, RE) S courses S courses Senior Phase BGE Choice point

Senior Phase No longer bound by Curriculum Areas restrictions S4: 7 subjects (National 4/5) S5: 5 subjects (National 5/H) S6: 4 subjects (National 5/H/AH) Most likely to pick 7 of the 9 S3 subjects. National 4: Internal assessment throughout S4, completion of an Added Value Unit. Award is Pass / Fail. National 5: Some internal assessment throughout S4, SQA exams in May Award is Graded A - D.

Which subjects? Any 7? Best 7? Subjects needed for future career aspirations? Subjects they like? Skills / opportunities they enjoy? Good combinations?

Information / Advice Course choice booklet Parents (Siblings?) Guidance Teacher Subject teachers University websites (UCAS course search) College websites Internet.

S4: 7 subjects S5: 5 subjects S6: 4 courses Advanced Higher Higher National 5 National 4

Option Choices in the Senior Phase – the Process Curriculum Information Evening: Thursday 7 th January, 7pm Short presentation in the Assembly Hall followed by individual questions Information about Options process. From tomorrow: Input via PSE / Support from Guidance Teacher Booklet providing information about National 4 & 5 courses & supporting paperwork (including the DRAFT choice form completed last March) Specific PSE lessons to encourage pupils to think about course choices PT G Support. By Friday 22 nd January: Return of Options form February: Re-coursing (if required) Pupils will be interviewed by Mrs Boyles / Mrs Daniel / PT Guidance End of May: New timetable.

Option Choices for the Senior Phase – the Process Curriculum Information Evening: Thursday 7 th January, 7pm From tomorrow: Input via PSE / Support from Guidance Teacher By Friday 22 nd January : Return of Options form February : Re-coursing (if required) End of May: New timetable