Curriculum for Excellence S3 into S4 & S4 / 5 into S5 / 6 Information Evening Wednesday 13 January, 2016

Summary of the curriculum structure The secondary curriculum is in two stages:  S1 – S3Broad General Education  S4 – S6Senior Phase

Stage 1 – The Broad General Education What happens in the Broad General Education? Through S1 and S2, pupils have experienced learning across a broad curriculum covering Languages, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, Religious & Moral Education, Expressive Arts, Health & Well being and Technology. LanguagesMathsScience Social Studies & RME Expressive ArtsHealth & WellbeingTechnology English Modern Languages ArtDramaMusicPSEHEPEICTTechnical

Personalisation and Choice - S3 To smooth the transition into the Senior Phase, S2 pupils chose subject disciplines from each curriculum area for S3. This continued the development of a broad curriculum and, importantly, responded to their academic strengths and interests. This curriculum personalisation allowed learners the opportunity to study subjects in greater depth at both third and fourth level and provides a strong platform for further study and engagement with National Qualifications from S4 onwards. LanguagesMathsScienceSocial Studies Expressive Arts TechnologyH&WB Core Free Choice English French German Biology Chemistry Physics Geography History Modern Studies Social Subjects Art Drama Music PE Business Administration Computing Science Home Economics Engineering Science Graphic Communication Woodwork PE PSE RME

Stage 2 – What Happens in the Senior Phase Pupils will work towards SQA and other qualifications. There is a combined S4-S6 Senior Phase subject choice process. In S4 all students will do English and Maths or Lifeskills Maths at the appropriate level. Students will also follow PSE, PE and RMPS as this is a national requirement. In S4, including English and Maths, most students will follow six SQA courses. Pupils will also be asked to choose one 2 period elective from a Wider Achievement list. In S5 and S6 students will follow up to five or six SQA courses depending on the level of study. Each Higher course will be allocated 5 periods. All S5 and S6 students will follow a course in PSE and in addition will choose electives from the Wider Achievements list. S4 S5 S6 Option 1 Higher (Adv) Option 2 Higher (Adv) Option 3 Higher (Adv) Option 4 Higher (Adv) Option 5 Higher (Adv) PSE Elective Option One N3 – N5 Option Two N3 – N5 Option Three N3 – N5 Option Four N3 – N5 Option Five N3 – N5 Option Six N3 – N5 PSE RMPS PE Elective

CfE National Qualifications What has changed? The table shows the previous qualifications and what they have been replaced with in the Curriculum for Excellence qualifications.

How do the CfE qualifications work? National 1 Units These are assessed as a pass or fail by the teacher. National 2 & National 3 Courses These are made up of Units. They are assessed as a pass or fail by the teacher. Learners need to pass all Units to achieve the full qualification.

National 4 Courses These are made up of Units, including an Added Value Unit that assesses learners’ overall performance across the course. They are assessed as a pass or fail by the teacher. Learners need to pass all Units, including the Added Value Unit, to achieve the qualification. National 5, Higher & Advanced Higher Courses These are made up of units and a course assessment. They are graded A to D or ‘no award’. They involve an SQA question paper (exam) or coursework (assignments, practical activities), or both, most of which the teacher will mark and the SQA may check.

S4S5 S6 English (Nat 5) Maths (Nat 5) Biology (Nat 5) Chemistry (Nat 5) History (Nat 5) P.E. (Nat 5) Duke of Edinburgh First Aid English (Higher) Maths (Higher) Biology (Higher) Chemistry (Higher) History (Higher) Duke of Edinburgh First Aid Community/Voluntary work Biology (Adv Higher) Chemistry (Adv Higher) Physics (Higher) School Enterprise Group Duke of Edinburgh First Aid Voluntary work Amy’s journey

S4S5 S6 English (Nat 5) Maths (Nat 5) Biology (Nat 5) Computing (Nat 5) History (Nat 5) French (Nat 5) English (Higher) Maths (Higher) Biology (Higher) History (Higher) School concerts and shows Work Experience Psychology (Higher) Modern Stds (Higher) Creative Fashion Connecting Classrooms Community work School concerts and shows Ashley’s journey

S4 English (Nat 4) Maths (Nat 4) P.E. (Nat 5) Hospitality (Nat 5) Design & Manufacture (Nat 4) Skills for Work: Hospitality at local College Fundraising Events Primary Sports Day Steven’s journey

S4S5 English (Nat 5) Maths (Nat 4) Biology (Nat 4) Art & Design (Nat 5) Graphic Comm. (Nat 5) P.E. (Nat 5) School Shows Maths (Nat 5) Biology (Nat 5) Art & Design (Higher) Design course at College School Shows Young Enterprise English (Higher) Jenna’s journey

Who are we?

Career Education Opportunities “As they move into the senior phase, young people of all abilities should have the opportunity to follow industry relevant vocational pathways alongside academic studies.” Education Working For All – June 2014

“The objective of our School College links programme is to offer a broad range of vocational education opportunities that introduce pupils to industry relevant knowledge whilst developing transferable skills that support transition to the workplace at the level most suited to their individual aspirations.”

School College Links Courses Young people can study a range of both school and College qualifications at the same time Choosing a School Link course will generally require pupils to attend a College Campus which may involve independent travelling. Young people will be well equipped for moving on to either College, University or direct to employment having developed some of the essential skills required.

School College Links Courses When being taught by a College lecturer young people will be treated like a College student. College is an adult learning environment and we expect the same adult behaviour of school pupils as we do of our full time students. College courses can mean missing some school classes – so additional commitment to catching up on missed work is essential When attending a College course we expect pupils to behave as though they are arriving at work – on time and well prepared

School College Links Courses College staff will report on pupil attendance, behaviour and progress to school A written progress report for school and parents will be prepared once a year All courses are certificated and support progression to further study, modern apprenticeships, training or employment. Courses support pupils in developing key skills identified by employers as essential for entering the workplace

Contact Us: Any queries from pupils or parents can be answered in school by Guidance Staff or Mrs Anderson, or please us at: We are also on Twitter and Facebook for regular updates!