1. St Thomas of Aquin’s RC High School
S4-5 Parent course choice presentation - February 2017

2. 2015-16 Attainment (Statistics based on S4 cohort)
2016 CEC
Average
2014
2015
2016
By the end of S4
(National 3) 77 95 96
(National 4) 71 90 93 91
(National 5) 43 58 59 55
By the end of S5
(Higher) 65 76 78 37 49 51 18 20 27
44 (46)
By the end of S6 66 85 46 61 63 32 52 47
(Advanced H) 25 45 39
43 (54)

3. St Thomas of Aquins RC High School Curriculum 33 period week Model
The school’s planned curriculum model will have a distinct Broad General Education (S1-S3) and Senior Phase (S4-6). This model will be phased in and rolled out completely in session
For the session, S3 & S4 year groups will continue with the model in which 8 National Qualification choices were made at the end of S2.
For session session, only the S4 year group will continue with the model in which 8 National Qualifications were made at the end of S2.

4. 2017 S4 and S5 course choices
S4 pupils will choose 5 subjects to study in S5.
In S6 pupils will choose at least 4 subjects, and if pupils are studying 3 Advanced Highers they can opt to only study 3 subjects.
In S5 and S6 pupils can be placed at college for a number of different subjects and courses. Pupil Support Leaders will liaise with pupils regarding the types of subjects and courses on offer.
In consultation with a pupil’s Pupil Support Leaders, S6 pupils can opt for a work experience or act as a subject mentor as a 4th subject. Pupils must have a letter from the work experience organisation handed in before the new timetable starts in June.

5. S4 and S5 course choices Progression for S4 National Qualifications:
If a pupil passes at a National 4 course, the next progression level ought to be National 5 level.
A pupil passing a National 5 course ought to be sitting a Higher qualification as the next progression level.
Pupils considering taking Advanced Highers should consult with their PSLs and the CL of the curricular area.
Classes are subject to staffing levels & viability in terms of numbers opting to study at each appropriate level
Pupils should consult with Curricular Leaders and Pupil Support Leaders for advice on subject progression.

6. S5/6 Column A Column B Column C (Travel ) Column D Column E Column F
Column G
Levels
6 lessons
2 lessons
1 lesson
Adv. Higher
Higher
National 5
Geography (AH)
Biology (AH)
Art & Design
Computing Science
Administration
Core RE
Core PSE/PE
History (AH)
Human Biology
Music (AH)
Graph Communication
Art & Design (AH)
Business Management
Chemistry
Music Technology
Design & Manufacturing
Business Management
Physical Education
Physics
Dance
Hospitality
(Practical cookery or Practical cake craft)
Spanish
(French)
Maths (LS)
English (LS)
(AH)
French
(Spanish)
Graphic Communication
National 5 
Physics (AH)
S6 work experience
S6 Volunteering
Sports Leadership
Maths (AH)
Chemistry (AH)
S5-6 work experience
S5-6 Volunteering
Modern Studies (AH)
English (AH)
Environmental Science
Biology
College
Neighbourhood school
S6 WE & Volunteering
Drama (AH)

7. Date
Action
By Whom
Further information
October 4th week
S2 straw poll – main hall
DHT & PSLs
Admin to collate
November 3rd week
S4/5 straw poll – main hall
November 4th week
S2 into S3 personalisation and choice parents’ information evening
HT and DHTs
Curriculum overview paper on school website
January 2nd week
3 week S3 personalisation & choice window (S2 pupils)
CLs and PSLs
CLs in Science & Social Subjects complete P&C. PSLs complete Expressive Arts and Technology columns.
January 4th week
S3-4 into S4-5 coursing parents’ information evening
HT, DHTs, PSLs, SDS
February 1st week
S3 personalisation & choice completed (S2 pupils)
Lists input into seemis
February 4th week
2 week S4 coursing window
(S3 pupils)
PSLs
CLs to support oversubscribed courses by pupil rational
March 2nd week
2 week S5-6 coursing window
April 1st week
S4 options completed
S5-S6 options completed
April 3rd week
S6-S3 TT completed
P Greene
Draft S6-3 out to CLs/PSLs
May 1st week
Timetable completed
Timetable out to CLs/PSLs
TT return with allocated Staff
CLs/PSLs
K Statham class lists sent out
All class lists returned to KS
TT seemis input
June 1st
TT ready for all pupils

8. Learning and Teaching
The learning and Teaching at St Thomas’ has been evaluated as very good in This means that throughout the school, pupils are receiving a very high standard of day to day learning.
In the school has already evaluated learning and Teaching in September 2016 and complete the exercise in May 2017
The school has a vibrant Learning and Teaching working party which will be focussing next session on the areas of
What makes an excellent lesson
Achievement of a Level in the Broad General Education
Develop and enhance Interdisciplinary learning