1. S4/5 Parents Subject Choice Information Evening 7.00 pm Tuesday 8 March 2015

2. Qualification Framework Old SystemRevised SystemCurriculum for for Excellence 1/2 Access 1 and 2Access 1 and 2 National 1/2 1/2 3 Foundation S GradeAccess 3 National 3 3 4 General S GradeIntermediate 1 National 4 4 5 Credit S GradeIntermediate 2 National 5 5 6 HigherHigher Higher 6 7 Advanced HigherAdvanced Higher Advanced Higher 7

3. Assessment in the New Qualifications National 1/2/3/4 are entirely internally assessed. 3 units plus a value added task. They are pass/fail. National 5/Higher/Advanced Higher have 3 internally assessed units and an external examination. Graded A to D, with A, B and C being passes.

4. S4 – S6 The Senior Phase (S4 – 6 subjects English and Maths plus 4 others at N3, N4, N5.) S5 – 5 subjects at N3, N4, N5(Int2), H. S6 – Minimum 4 subjects at N3, N4, N5(Int2), H, AH.

5. Progression Routes N3 > N4 > N5 > H > AH Some pupils may find “upward” progression is not “automatic” in some subjects. There will be subjects you can start in S5 and S6 at N5 or Higher with no previous study.

6. How to Choose! What am I good at? What do I enjoy? What do I plan to do next? What career might I follow after school?

7. How Not to Choose! I like/dislike that teacher! My pal is doing that so I will as well so I am in their class! My brother/sister/parent liked that!

8. Advanced Higher or More Highers? We would advise pupils going into S6 to: Consider additional Higher courses as well as Advanced Highers. Consider 5 courses. Why? Universities can request additional Higher passes in different subjects rather than Advanced Higher in the same subject and 5 courses shows commitment. Offers? Offers are on what you are studying in S6.

9. Finding Out About Courses. Senior Phase Courses – click on the N3/4/5/H/AH for details…. http://www.westhillacademy.org/seniorphaseco urses.htm http://www.westhillacademy.org/seniorphaseco urses.htm http://www.sqa.org.uk http://www.npfs.org.uk

10. Planning for the Future: Next Steps HNC Childhood Practice Applicants should have two Highers including English. HND Animal Care Applicants must hold a minimum of two Scottish Highers (CC). If science is not at Higher, it is a requirement to have a qualification at Standard Grade, National 5 HND Textiles Typical applicants will be expected to have a minimum of two Higher passes - one of which should be Higher Art

11. Planning for the future: Next Steps Medicine Glasgow University Standard academic entry requirements: AAAAA or AAAABB by the end of S5 AND achieve Grades A and B in two Advanced Highers in S6. Other mandatory requirements: Not considered for entry from S5. S5 grades must include Chemistry and Biology, and either Maths or Physics. It is acceptable to take Biology, Chemistry, Maths or Physics as crash Highers in S6, a minimum Grade B would be required. provided Grades AAAAA or AAAABB are achieved by S5. Applicants must have English at either Standard Grade (Grade 2)

12. Planning for the Future: Next Steps Chemical Engineering Heriot Watt University Higher AABB Maths and Chemistry required. Physics strongly advised at least at Standard Grade / National 5. (This is minimum more may be needed) Advanced Highers at AAB in Maths and Chemistry plus AABB in Highers for level 2 entry that is straight to second year.

13. Planning for the Future: Next Steps MA in Arts & Sciences, Aberdeen University Higher AABB or three AH at BBB obtained at a single sitting required or if obtained over two sittings must get Higher BBB at first sitting. English at National 5 is also required. (This is Minimum more may be needed) For some degrees a specific subject is required. For example National 5/S Grade Maths needed for entry to Accountancy, Economics, Finance

14. The Choice Form….. Level National 3National 4National 5HigherAdvanced Higher Art and Design Graphic Communication Design and Manufacture Practical Woodworking Art and Design Graphic Communication Design and Manufacture Practical Woodworking Art and Design Graphic Communication Art and Design Graphic Communication Administration and IT Administration and IT Computing Science Administration and IT Accounting Business Management Computing Science Accounting Business Management Computing Science Accounting Business Management English English Media Studies English Media Studies English Health and Food Technology Fashion and Textile Technology Hospitality: Practical Cookery Health and Food Technology Fashion and Textile Technology Hospitality: Practical Cookery Health and Food Technology Fashion and Textile Technology Hospitality: Practical Cookery Hospitality: Practical Cake Craft Health and Food Technology Geography History Modern Studies Geography History Modern Studies Geography History Modern Studies Geography History Modern Studies Geography History Modern Studies Lifeskills Mathematics Lifeskills Mathematics Mathematics Lifeskills Mathematics MathematicsMathematics Mathematics with Mechanics* French Spanish French Spanish French Spanish French Spanish French Drama Music Drama Music Drama Music Drama Music Drama Music Physical Education Physical Education – Performance Development unit & Sports Leader Awards/Recreational Fitness: this is given 2 periods but could be one by negotiation with Department/Guidance. Once selected pupils will choose whether to attempt one or both awards or take the course purely for recreation (Note: this does not count as one of a pupils four courses for S6) N3/4 Biology N3/4 Chemistry N3/4 Physics N3/4 Biology N3/4 Chemistry N3/4 Physics Biology Chemistry Physics Biology Chemistry Physics Biology Chemistry Physics AH PE performance unit will not be counted as a full course. Some subjects do not currently have progression to Higher

15. How to Complete the Form Choice number SubjectLevel 1 EnglishH 2 MathsH 3 ChemistryH 4 PhysicsH 5 Graphic Communication H RESERVE CHOICE Computing ScienceH S4 should choose 5 courses from the list Put your choices in order of importance to YOU Make sure you put the level Consult your Guidance Teacher to ensure you make the best choices. Write a RESERVE choice in final box.

16. How to Complete the Form Choice number SubjectLevel 1 MathsAH 2 ChemistryAH 3 Business Management H 4 Modern StudiesH 5 (if wanted) RESERVE CHOICE PhysicsAH External provider Yass S5 should choose a minimum of 4 courses from the list Put your choices in order of importance to YOU Make sure you put the level Consult your Guidance Teacher to ensure you make the best choices. Write a RESERVE choice in final box. External providers Psychology through Community Education as an evening class. Counts as a course. The Open University's Young Applicants in Schools Scheme. (or YASS for short) Additional to courses.

17. Planning for the Future Choice for S5 English H Maths H Chemistry H Physics H Graphic Communication H Possible choice for S6 Maths AH Chemistry AH Business Management H Modern Studies H Choice for S5 English N5 Geography H Art & Design H Biology H Accounts N5 Possible choice for S6 English H Art & Design AH Accounts H Business Management H

18. Exceptions… Additional Support If a pupil is identified as needing additional support then this becomes one of the choices Identified pupils received a letter along with the choice form explaining what to do If you think you should have received a letter and have not please contact guidance staff

19. YASS Courses – S6 These are units or courses offered to S6 by the Open University… Offer different, specific areas of study. Demonstrate independent learning. Universities like them!!! They are free. More details at http://www.open.ac.uk/scotland/study/young- applicants-schools http://www.open.ac.uk/scotland/study/young- applicants-schools

20. Please Note It is hoped that we will be able to provide most if not all pupils with their first four choices. However due to timetable considerations we cannot guarantee that every combination of courses will be possible or that every course listed above will run. This will depend on the numbers opting for the course and available staffing.

21. Key Dates Tuesday 8 th March S4/5 Parents Information Evening Friday 11 th MarchIssue of S4,5,6 reports Thursday 24 th March Return of S5/6 Choice forms Monday 30 th May New TT S2,3,4,5,6.