Senior Phase Course Choice Information Evening

Monday 8 February 2016

Welcome

Four Capacities

• successful learners• confident individuals• responsible citizens• effective contributors

(with particular focus on developing attributes and capabilities for each capacity)

The Senior Phase• Senior Phase covers S4 to S6

• All pupils will leave with a portfolio of qualifications at their exit point from school, whether that be at the end of S4, S5 or S6

• We aim for all learners to achieve at the highest level they can, and will provide various pathways to enable them to do so

Progression into S4 in June 2016• 27-period week (each period lasts one hour)• Pupils will continue to study the core subjects: English – 4 periods

mathematics – 4 periodsPE – 2 periodsRME and PSE – 1 period per week on a rota

• This leaves 16 periods per week for pupils’ other chosen subjects

Progression into S4 cont.• Follow a further 4 subjects for 4 periods per week

each, from any curriculum area

• Courses will be at National 3, National 4 or National 5 level as appropriate

• Allows for the depth of study required – notional 160 hours per course

Why return to school for S5/S6?

• Post-compulsory education• Return as a positive decision

– I want to achieve more qualifications– I want to take up opportunities for wider

achievement– I want to play a role in the senior school

Senior Phase

S4 S5 S6

National 3 National 4 National 5

National 4 National 5 Higher

National 5 Higher Advanced Higher

Progression into S5 June 2016

•5 Higher and/or National courses

Higher – 5 taught hours per week National – 4 taught hours per week + 1 supervised study period

Progression into S5 cont.

PLUS

• PSE with Guidance Teacher – five morning blocks in terms one and two

• Rota: PE/RME/health promotion/enterprise

Progression into S6 in June 2016

• Up to 5 courses – National, Higher or Advanced Higher

Advanced Higher – 4 taught hours per week* Higher – 5 taught hours per week National – 4 taught hours per week

* May be fewer, dependent on uptake

Progression into S6 cont.PLUS

•PSE with Guidance teacher 1 hour per week•Volunteering in school or community•Supporting younger pupils, e.g. as peer mentor, paired reader, in-class supporter•Committees•Extra-curricular activities

Nat 4 Nat 5 Higher Adv Higher

Administration √ √ √ Art and design √ √ √ √Biology √ √ √ √Business management √ √ √ Chemistry √ √ √ √Classical studies √ Computer games development (NPA) √ √ √ Computing science √ √ √ √Cyber security (NPA) √ √ √ Design and manufacture √ √ √ Drama √ √ √ Economics √ Engineering science √ √ √ English √ √ √ √Environmental science √ √ Fashion and textile technology √ √ French √ √ √ √Geography √ √ √ √German √ √ √ √Graphic communication √ √ √ √Hairdressing (SFW) √ √ Health and food technology √ History √ √ √ √Hospitality √ √ Human biology √ Lifeskills mathematics √ √ Mathematics √ √ √ √Modern studies √ √ √ √Music √ √ √ √Philosophy √ √ Physical education √ √ √ Physics √ √ √ √Practical woodworking √ √ Psychology √ √ Religious, moral and philosophical studies √ √ √

Skills for life and work (SFW) √ Spanish √ √ √ √

Making Decisions

• Do I enjoy learning in this subject?• What is appropriate level for me in subject?• Take account of possible future pathways –

investigate/explore/research• Have high aspirations

Monitoring of Progress• Target setting – pupil identifies own next

steps in discussion with teacher• Monitoring and tracking• Reports• Parents’ Evening• Prelims• Crucial role of parents

Pupils’ Responsibilities

• Attendance and punctuality• Dress code• Demeanour and manners• Keeping on track with learning – fully

committed to studies• Leadership in the school – a vital role

Progression beyond school

exit point = a positive destination:

• Employment•Apprenticeship•College•University

• Parentzone is organised into distinct, user-friendly areas covering issues of interest to parents during the different stages of their children's education

www.parentzonescotland.gov.uk

Education Scotland Parentzone

National Parent Forum of Scotland