1. Mearns Castle High School S4/5 Options Presentation January 2018
Head Teacher: Dean Smith
Steven Hale – S5 Year Head
Wendy Crosby – Vocational Programme
Gail Paterson & Ashleigh Bonnar – Foundation Apprenticeships
Anne Lewis – S4 Year Head

2. Progression to S6
Steven Hale
DHT

3. 6th Year – the differences
Transitional year
Preparation for the wider world
Less class time
More independent learning
More responsibility
At least 3 Academic subjects and ……
1 Elective

4. working through to Advanced Higher
Crashing new subjects
Vocational programme
Baccalaureate

5. Baccalaureate Interdisciplinary Project
Carry out a research project (IDL)
Apply knowledge in a relevant context
Develop sought after skills: (click here for more info)
Research, interpersonal, problem solving, independent learning, planning,presentation, self evaluation
Breadth, depth, interdependence in Science/ Arts/ Languages & Social Sciences
Depends on their combination of subjects
Pupils need to discuss with relevant departments
To be discussed after options

6. S6 Vocational Courses (Priority)
Accounting (SCQF Level 6)
Human Body Structure and Function (SCQF Level 8)
Sound Production (SCQF Level 6)
Healthcare & Social Services (SCQF Level 6)
Psychology (SCQF Level 6)
Fashion Brand Retail (University level)
Building Services Engineering (SCQF Levels 5/6 7)
and others…..
*1 Year Foundation Apprenticeship option

7. Senior Options Booklet
The Senior Options booklet will give more details about entry requirements for Vocational options as well as details about all school courses
e.g. to study Psychology Higher you must have at least a B at Higher English
The Senior Options booklet is available via the school website. (Click here)

8. S5 Option Forms returned by Monday 19th March 2018
Timeline for S5
Monday 6th March – S5 Reports issued
S5 Option Interviews
Tuesday 6th March – Friday 16th March 2018
S5 Option Forms returned by Monday 19th March 2018

9. Opportunities in Sixth Year
Posts of responsibility – Pupil Leadership roles & House Captain System
Committees (Various)
Academic family
Peer Mentoring/Buddy system
Community Involvement
Young Enterprise
Vocational Courses
Work Experience
HE/FE personal statements
Job applications

10. Pupil Leadership Head Boy/Girl Depute Head Boy/ Girl
The process will take place in June and will include speeches and interviews
House Captain
This process will take place early next session, August/ September

11. Mearns Castle High School

12. New Options Available
Wendy Crosby
Vocational Programme

13. Course Guide 2018/19

14. “ERC Vocational Programme successfully bridges the gap between school and the workforce, preparing pupils for their next step.”
“The variety of courses means all pupils have the opportunity to better prepare themselves for life after school”

15. Programme Details 2.5 days per week
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday afternoons, Thursday all day
2 half days
Tuesday/Thursday afternoons
Friday morning
Periods 1,2,3
Transport provided or travel expenses reimbursed

16. Programme Details
Opportunity to gain qualifications and practical experience
Most courses run from August to May
Progress reports provided
Attendance/attitude/performance monitored
Courses do not run on school holidays or in-service days.

17. Benefits of Vocational Courses
Relevant for career / work
Practical
New Environment / opportunity to try college
Treated as an adult (responsibility)
Qualifications – Access, National 4, National 5, National Progression Awards, Higher, National Certificate & University Level 1 & 2

18. Open to S5 and S6 pupils

19. Our Partners City of Glasgow College Glasgow Clyde College
Glasgow Kelvin College
West College Scotland
Glasgow Caledonian University
Strathclyde Univeristy
Encroute Catering
Greenhouse Community Café
Neilston Development Trust
U Concept

20. Courses Available in the following sectors
Access and Continued Learning
Aviation and Travel
Care, Health Life Science & Social Care
Community and Flexing Learning
Construction & Engineering
Creative and Digital Industries & Music
Fashion & Design
Hair and Beauty
Horticulture, Hospitality and Landscaping
Humanities & Social Sciences
Nautical
Personal Development
Sports
Uniformed & Emergency Services
Vehicle Systems  

22. Applying for a course Register interest with Pupil Support PT
Complete application form, (including parental consent) – see Pupil Support PT
Interview
School report

23. The Vocational Training Programme booklet can be downloaded from:

24. Foundation Apprenticeships
Gail Paterson – Glasgow Kelvin College
Ashleigh Bonnar – West College

25. Senior Phase Pathways: Foundation Apprenticeships
Gail Paterson and
Ashleigh Bonnar

26. What are they? Same level as Highers
2 year programmes to gain an industry recognised qualification.
Open to pupils starting S5.
Currently 13 frameworks offered by Glasgow and Paisley colleges.
New frameworks being added.
Combine school, college and work placement.

27. How they compare?

28. Options Available…

29. Industry Demand…

30. How do they work? Overall Yr. 1: S5
Programme becomes one of your Option choices
Yr. 1: S5
You attend College 2 half days per week
4 days per week in school
Yr. 2: S6
You attend school 3 or 4 days per week
Up to 1 day at college and 1 day per week with an employer

31. Employer Engagement:

32. Progression opportunities…
FAST TRACK MODERN APPRENTICESHIP
COLLEGE HNC/HND
EMPLOYMENT
UNIVERSITY
FOUNDATION APPRENTICESHIP

33. University Recognition:
Inverness
Aberdeen
Dundee
Stirling
Glasgow
Edinburgh
Paisley

34. Eligibility Criteria?
Students are expected to have an interest in developing greater awareness of the industry with a potential desire to pursue as a career
Students must be capable of working at Level 6 (Higher) over S5 and S6
Some Frameworks require these to include English and Maths
Programme lasts 2 years. No Foundation Apprenticeship qualification or part qualification if participants leave early

35. Why should I apply?
Industry is telling education that something needs to change
Increasingly jobs require much more than academic qualifications
At the end of S6 you will have gained invaluable industry experience
You will have experienced College Life
You will have gained competitive advantage for routes to employment and/or future learning
You will have an industry designed, led and supported qualification – at Higher Level

36. S4 to S5 Option time

37. PUPIL SUPPORT TEACHERS
CAREERS ADVISOR
SUBJECT TEACHERS
INFORMED CHOICES
UNIVERSITIES & COLLEGES
PARENTS
INTERNET

38. Supporting Pupils for Option Choices

39. Supporting Pupils’ Option Choices
PSE
Parents’ Meeting & Tracking Report (Oct) Final S4 Report (26th Jan)
S4 Assembly Presentation The Way Ahead Booklets

40. Supporting Pupils’ Option Choices
Careers Library
Careers Fair Careers Talk Careers Interviews

41. Supporting Pupils’ Option Choices
Options Presentation to Parents Pupil Support Teacher Interviews
(30th Jan -8th Feb)
Completed Option Forms (by 16th Feb)
Renegotiate choice if necessary (August)

42. S4
What’s Different? S5
Pupils studied 8 subjects
They will now drop 3 of those subjects and study 5
Pupils had 6 or 7 single periods a day
They will now have 3 double periods in each subject
Pupils will have studied subjects over 2 years
They will now have only a year to study their subjects
Students may have managed homework and study in a couple of hours a week
They will now have to study more regularly to stay on top of courses
When picking subjects in S2, Maths French & English were compulsory
English is still compulsory, Maths & French are not. h

43. Sample S5 Time Table
TT of S5 pupil who is studying Biology, History, Maths, English and Business Management. There are 6 double periods, 1 PSE and 2 separate core PE periods. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Monday
Biology
Bus Man PE
Maths
Tuesday
English
History
PSE
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday

44. LEV EL
SUBJECT AH H N5
Other
English – National 5
Maths – National 5
French – National 5
History – National 5
Biology – National 5
Business Management – National 5
Practical Craft Skills – National 5
Chemistry – National 5
Vocational Option Here _________________________________
Proposed career/area of interest
If you have any special requests or concerns please note them overleaf.
Student’s Signature
Interviewing Teacher
Parent’s Signature
Date

45. Option Structure Choose 5 subjects from the current 8
Move up to the next level where numbers allow
National 5 Higher
National 4 National 5
NB: Some subjects do not run at N5 level in S5

46. Progression to Higher Chance of passing Higher Subject
From N5 – A pass
From N5 – C Pass

47. Progression to Higher Chance of passing Higher Subject English 95% 60%
From N5 – A pass
From N5 – C Pass
English
95%
60%

48. Progression to Higher Chance of passing Higher Subject English 95% 60%
From N5 – A pass
From N5 – C Pass
English
95%
60%
Maths
82%
28%

49. Progression to Higher Chance of passing Higher Subject English 95% 60%
From N5 – A pass
From N5 – C Pass
English
95%
60%
Maths
82%
28%
Biology
98%
35%

50. Progression to Higher Chance of passing Higher Subject English 95% 60%
From N5 – A pass
From N5 – C Pass
English
95%
60%
Maths
82%
28%
Biology
98%
35%
Chemistry
99%
33%

51. Progression to Higher Chance of passing Higher Subject English 95% 60%
From N5 – A pass
From N5 – C Pass
English
95%
60%
Maths
82%
28%
Biology
98%
35%
Chemistry
99%
33%
Art
97%
47%

52. Progression to Higher Chance of passing Higher Subject English 95% 60%
From N5 – A pass
From N5 – C Pass
English
95%
60%
Maths
82%
28%
Biology
98%
35%
Chemistry
99%
33%
Art
97%
47%
Modern Studies
94%
58%

53. Progression to Higher Chance of passing Higher Subject English 95% 60%
From N5 – A pass
From N5 – C Pass
English
95%
60%
Maths
82%
28%
Biology
98%
35%
Chemistry
99%
33%
Art
97%
47%
Modern Studies
94%
58%

54. The message from this is …
An ‘A’ pass at National 5 gives a very good chance of passing at Higher.
However that does not necessarily mean an ‘A’ pass at Higher.
A ‘C’ pass at National 5 gives a chance in some subjects but much less in others.

55. However… These are statistics Each pupil is an individual
Statistics make general statements about general results
Each pupil is an individual
An individual can make their own statement

56. The overall message from this is …
Be Informed
Be Ambitious
Be Committed

57. Post-School Plans My World of Work
How subject choices relate to future careers
Employment and Apprenticeship Family opportunities
Advice for parents on supporting the young people at big decision times
“About Me” resource & Strengths tool - how personality and interests relate to careers
CV builder makes writing and editing CVs quicker and easier

58. Post-School Plans
Check entry requirements with colleges and universities:
Planitplus
PHONE ADMISSIONS FOR MORE INFO!