The Community School of Auchterarder (Secondary)

Welcome to Secondary Nationals Information Evening

Thursday 12 September 2013

CURRICULUM S3 & S4 2013/14

The National 4

& National 5 Qualifications

Agenda

The CFE Experience S1/S2

The BGE S1 – S3

The transition to Nationals 2/3/4/5

The study of Nationals 2/3/4/5 in TCSoA

Experience and expectations of staff (PTs)

Wider Achievement programme

Question Time

Journey so far in Junior Phase

Broad General Education (BGE) covering 8

curricular areas in S1

Personalisation and Choice at end of S2.

Discrete subjects but still BGE in S3 until the

learning outcomes and experiences have

been covered. (This may vary according to

subject)

S3/4 Curriculum

English / Maths– 8 periods

Personal Support / Registration - 1 period

Various – 7 periods

5 choices** @ 3 periods – 15 periods

Total = 31 periods

S4 Qualification Courses

Maths, English, and 5 choices will all lead to National Qualifications at level 3 or 4 or 5

Currently looking at accreditation for WAP activities through National Governing bodies, Saltire Awards, Youth Achievement etc.

All external assessments, where required, will take place in the SQA examinations April -June 2014 – no bypass to Higher

www.sqa.org.uk/findoutmore

Current qualifications New qualifications

New National Qualifications

https://blogs.glowscotland.org.uk/glowblogs/NPF/nationals-in-a-nutshell/

NATIONALS IN A NUTSHELL

(National Parent Forum for Scotland

National 4 and 5)

Learning experiences

Skills

Assessment

NATIONALS IN A NUTSHELL

National 4 and 5

What kind of learning experiences will there be?

Active and independent learning

A blend of classroom approaches

Collaborative learning

NATIONALS IN A NUTSHELL

National 4 and 5

What skills will be developed? -

NATIONALS IN A NUTSHELL

National 4 and 5

How will it be assessed?

At National 5 – most subjects follow a pattern of:

Assignment + Question Paper (exam).

Firstly – pupils must pass each of the units

(through unit tests in class time).

Each unit is assessed as pass/fail by the teacher using SQA guidelines.

This may be evidenced in a portfolio of work.

This assessment is then checked by external moderators to ensure a national standard.

NATIONALS IN A NUTSHELL

National 4 and 5

How will it be assessed?

At National 5 – most subjects follow a pattern of:

Assignment + Question Paper (exam).

Secondly – by assignment.

This may require learners to research a topic.

Thirdly - by sitting an exam (which may be in 2 parts).

These course assessments will be marked by the SQA and

Graded from A to D.

National 5 progresses onto Higher

NATIONALS IN A NUTSHELL

National 4 and 5

How will it be assessed?

(No external exam in May)

At National 4 – most subjects follow a pattern of:

Course units and an Assignment (added value unit).

Assignment.

This may require learners to research a topic or carry out an investigation (mostly in class time).

Unit tests and added value units will be marked by the

class teacher and moderated by the SQA.

Subject perspectives from:

Mrs S Reedie PT English Literacy & Communication

Mr A Tomison PT Maths/ Business Enterprise.

Miss J Ireland PT Science

PROVISIONAL FOURTH YEAR

TIMELINE 2013/2014

National 5 prelims December

Over 2 weeks

Study leave for S4 under consideration

Reports issued January

Parents night Wednesday 5 February

What’s ahead?

TIMELINE 2013/2014

Course choice evening 20 March 2014

SQA examinations April - June 2014

New Timetable June 2014 (S5)

S4 have 7 subjects

S5/6 have 5 subjects

Intermediate 1/2 phasing out

Thank You