1. Welcome to Thurso High School’s Parents’ Information Evening
Senior Phase S4 – S6
“This is your world. Shape it or someone else will.”
Gary Lew

2. The journey through Curriculum for Excellence
CfE consists of two phases – the Broad General Education that takes pupils through to the end of S3, followed by the Senior Phase S4-S6. We are here tonight to give you information about the Senior Phase but to put this in context I will start with a very brief overview of the broad general education.
All children should receive a rounded education, from early years (Pre school and P1) through Primary and to the end of S3, before moving on to a senior phase in S4 to S6.
This broad general education should provide young people with a wide range of knowledge, skills and experiences that they can draw on as their lives, careers and job opportunities continue to change.
In Nursery/Playgroup through Primary School they have experienced Curriculum for Excellence levels from Early, First to Second level. By the end of their Primary years some may have achieved all of level 2, some may have just finished level 1.
When they arrive in Thurso High School in S1 they have the opportunity to then experience CfE at Levels 3, 4 or even beyond Level 4 - in a wide range of subjects from each of the eight curricular areas.
The broad general education phase of CfE is closely connected to the senior phase with the learning undertaken up until the end of S3 providing a strong foundation for choosing and specialising in a range of subjects.

3. Thurso High School - the Broad General Education in S3
Pupils in S3 are currently studying Maths and English and core subjects of PE, RE and PSE. They must also study an additional language to English. As well as this they have had a further choice of up to eight subjects. Courses are differentiated and pupils work mostly within Levels 3 and 4 and some beyond Level 4. These courses are not certificated but pupils are gaining knowledge and skills that will allow them to gain their first set of SQA awards in S4.
In S1 and S2 the curriculum is the same for all but in S3 pupils will have been able to make choices over their subjects.
They must all study what are known as the core subjects which are PE, PSE and RME. They must also all study Maths and English and a further language. After this they have the choice of up to 8 further subjects that cover all of the curricular areas.
Courses are differentiated and pupils work mostly within Levels 3 and 4 and some beyond Level 4.
These courses are not certificated but pupils are gaining knowledge and skills that will allow them to gain their first set of SQA awards in S4.

4. S3 is a basis for future progress…
S3 is a key stage in your child’s education. It is vital as a foundation to S4 and beyond.
How your child achieves in S3 will determine the level at which they can study in S4.
The work ethic and motivation they demonstrate, and the skills they learn in S3 will help them to achieve the best they can as they move through the Senior Phase.
Although S3 is part of the BGE and the Senior Phase is where certification takes place, all years in the junior phase and, in particular, S3 are vital as a foundation to S4 and beyond.
The Senior Phase is a planned progression from the BGE. It is when pupils ‘capture their learning in qualification’.
An extremely important question for teachers and pupils therefore, is to ensure that the work of S3 has delivered them to the very best possible starting point for their chosen pathway through the Senior Phase; skills have been taught in S3 that prepare pupils for S4.
Success or failure in the may hang on the experience in S3.

5. Thurso High School Senior Phase…
We aim to give every pupil a flexible pathway that will allow each of them to achieve at the highest level they possibly can in a timeframe that suits them best.
We aim to ensure that pupils have the qualifications, skills and attributes to make a successful transfer from school to employment, training, college or university.
We aim to ensure a positive destination for all of our young people and so doing improve their life chances.
We hope to ensure each young person has gained a set of values and experiences that will stand them in good stead whatever they choose to do in life.
The Senior Phase is a planned progression from the BGE. It is when pupils ‘capture their learning in qualification’.
These are the years where they are gain certification that will allow them to achieve their goals.
Flexible pathways – ½ or 3 years to achieve a level if necessary.
Not just qualifications but skills, values and experiences that will allow them to be the best they can be in life.

6. The Senior Phase - certification
There is a rising spiral of difficulty from National 1 to Advanced Higher…
National 1/2/3 where pupils must pass 3 Units that are internally assessed.
National 4 where pupils must pass 3 Units plus pass an Added Value Unit where they apply knowledge and skills from the units; all internally assessed.
In the senior phase, young people will have the opportunity to take qualifications and courses that suit their ability and interests.
Mrs Mackay will talk in a minute about the processes involved in these qualifications.
National 5, Higher, Advanced Higher where pupils must pass 3 units that are internally assessed, plus in some cases complete an Added Value coursework and usually sit an external exam in May.

7. In the course of S3 pupils will have to make choices for S4 which will not be very different to the set of subjects they will be studying in S5, therefore they need to have a clear idea of where they want to go in the Senior Phase.
They need to know what the options are for progression through the Senior Phase.

8. Importance of the level achieved in S3
Different routes to success
1 or 2 year courses – units in year 1 and external exam in year 2
Sideways move to different subject – upwards progression not always appropriate.

9. Antoni’s journey
Antoni left school in

10. Antoni’s journey

11. Reece’s journey

12. Reece’s journey

13. Terri’s journey

14. Kirsty’s journey

15. English and Maths are compulsory
Plus a choice of 4 further subjects
Remember that this will narrow to 5 in S5
Can always pick up other subjects in S6 if staying on

16. Although 2 choice forms S4/5/6 are timetabled together apart from Maths and English.
Classes may have pupils from S4/5 or 6
All pupils in S4/5/6 may choose from the NHC School Link programme
Pupils in S5 choosing a College course must be aware that they will miss a period of from any Block 2 Higher they have chosen.
S5 pupils choosing National courses may also choose from our programme of wider interest +1 Options – Dof E, Enterprise, Cake Decorating, Cooking on a Budget, Music, Art, Careers & Exp Work
These will be very much dependent on staffing

17. The Senior Phase – choices…
When considering options with your child remember the following:
11 subjects studied in S3 must narrow to 6 in S4 and then 5 in S5 and a max of 5 in S6.
What progression is available in each subject?
What subjects do they need for their career choice?
What subjects have they been doing well in? Consider all the information in progress Reports that has gone home over the past year.
What subjects do they enjoy?
Remember unfortunately some courses may not run – staffing position.
There are constraints on what they can choose but they can always pick up a subject in S5 or S6 if you can’t study it in S4 – it is a three year programme.
The College Link programme offers many subjects complementary to those offered in THS.
11 subjects studied in S3 must narrow to 6 in S4 and then 5 in S5 and a max of 5 in S6. S4 & 5 pupils must have a full timetable – S6 pupils may have a free Block for the S6 Opportunities programme that you will hear about shortly.
What progression is available in each subject?
What subjects do they need for their career choice?
What subjects have they been doing well in? Consider all the information in progress Reports that has gone home over the past year.
What subjects do they enjoy?
Remember unfortunately some courses may not run – staffing position.
There are constraints on what they can choose but they can always pick up a subject in S5 or S6 if you can’t study it in S4 – it is a three year programme.
The College Link programme offers many subjects complementary to those offered in THS.

18. North Highland College School Link Programme

19. S6 opportunities & wider achievement
S6 Executive Committee Chairperson
Isla Cartwright

27. Exam Preparation Time (EPT)
Exam preparation time replaces ‘Study Leave’.
The CfE qualifications mean some learners are not sitting any external exams, or only a few external exams.
Highland Council policy is that these pupils may follow alternative programmes to meet individual needs during this time. These will be delivered in association with Community Partners. Activities may include volunteering, Leadership, sport, cookery, as well as many others.
All returners sitting 6 subjects at National 5 or 3 or more subjects at Higher or above, may take the full period of Exam Preparation Time, provided all outstanding course assessments have been completed, evidenced by Progress Reports.

28. Pastoral care in the Senior Phase
PTPSs are there to advise and support pupils to make informed and carefully considered choices appropriate to their future plans.
Advice over subject and level is also based on pupils’ prior attainment as evidenced in their Progress Reports.
PTPSs review the progress of pupils and discuss this with pupils and parents as appropriate.
If SQA results are not as expected in August it is possible to make some changes.

29. The Senior Phase – further information
THS website :
SQA exam timetable:
National Parent Forum of Scotland – ‘Learning Pathways in the Senior Phase and Beyond’:
THS website
SQA exam timetable
National Parent Forum of Scotland
National in a Nutshell
Education Scotland