1. St Modan’s High School 81st Session
SENIOR SCHOOL OPTIONS
Parents’ Information Evening
3rd February 2015

2. PRAYER Be near us Father as we meet today
Inspire our thoughts and light our understanding
Guide us towards your vision for our school
and grant that we may wisely lead and ever humbly serve,
this community of St Modan’s
entrusted to our care
Amen

3. Outline: Welcome & Introduction: Eilidh Wynd and Maddie Hatch
Senior School Information: Mr B McGurk
Courses, Assessment & Reporting: Mr B McGurk
Important Points: Mr S Curran
Important Dates: Mr S Curran
Curricular Options: Mr J Mitchell
Enhancement Options: Mrs C Friel
Pathways & Progression: Mrs M Cowie
Personal, Social & Spiritual Education: Mrs A Shandley
Final Points: Mr R O’Neill

4. General Senior School Information:
Decision to return to school for a fifth or sixth year is an
extremely important one
Senior pupils should be looking to not only achieve academic success but equally important is the opportunity to fulfil their potential as young men and women, ready to embrace the challenges of the future
Most S4 Pupils should plan their options over 2 years
Pupils should build upon success and look towards future destinations. Not advisable to re-sit subjects unless likely to increase grades by 2.
Commit to the full year & Increased pupil responsibility for their own learning
Free Choice for S5 and S6 pupils (no column based options form)
New S5 to choose 5 from the 8 subjects studied in S4

5. SQA Qualifications 2015-16 Advanced Higher Higher National 5BM

6. How are Nationals assessed?
NAT 1 TO 4
In-School Assessment – UASP and AVU
NAT 5
HIGHER
ADVANCED HIGHER
In-School & External Assessment BM

7. Sources of Information
SQA Subject pages
The National Parent Forum
of Scotland:
Nationals in a Nutshell
Highers in a Nutshell

8. Progression S4 into S5 S5 Subjects N5 Art N5 English N5 Computing
MATHS N4
COMPUTING
N3 FRENCH N5 PE
N4 BIOLOGY
N4 ART
HISTORY
ENGLISH
S5 Subjects
N5 Art
N5 English
N5 Computing
N4 Maths
Higher PE

9. Progression S4 into S5 S5 Subjects Higher PE Higher English
MATHS
N5 MODERN
STUDIES
N5 FRENCH PE
N5 SPANISH
N5 MUSIC
BUSINESS
MANAGEMENT
ENGLISH
S5 Subjects
Higher PE
Higher English
Higher Business Man
Higher Spanish
Higher Maths

10. Progression S5 into S6 S6 Subjects Higher Maths Friday College
N5 MODERN
STUDIES
HIGHER
ENGLISH
S6 Subjects
Higher Maths
Friday College
Advanced Higher Physics
Advanced Higher Chemistry
Enhancement - Leadership N5
MATHS
HIGHER
PHYSICS
HIGHER
CHEMISTRY

11. Important Points: Senior School Prospectus
Application Form – demonstrate commitment
Enhancement Options (S6)
Options Interview – Member of SMT or PT PSD

12. Important Dates: 30th Jan/2nd Feb: S4/5 Assembly
Application Form will follow in PSD
3 February: Parents’ Information Evening – Prospectus Out
March: Friday College Applications (S4/S5)
26 February: Application Forms due to PSD
4 March: S4 Options Interviews – Ruber Aurum
5 March: S5 Options Interviews – Ruber Aurum
Follow-up: August: Re-interview if req’d:
letters sent (Summer hols)

13. Options
Add form (JM)

14. Curricular Options: Summary
Choose 5 options
Choose one reserve
Indicate the preferred level
Enhancements - S6 only
S6 choose only 1 enhancement option
Entry requirements - Pay close attention to these when planning progression (Prospectus)
Interviews will be conducted by a member of SMT or a PT PSD
Address questions in the first instance to relevant PT PSD

15. Options
M Modan S5
Mr Smith
Add form (JM)     R 

16. Enhancement Information

17. Skills for Work Courses Electrical Engineering
FVC Courses
College
Skills for Work Courses
Skills for work – Creative Industries (National 5)
Skills for work – Construction Crafts (National 4)
Early Education and Childcare - (National 4)
Hair and Beauty (City and Guilds Award)
NPA Sound Production (SCQF Level 6)
Hospitality (National 4)
Psychology – Higher
And many more….
( 1 day per week – 1 year)
HNC Courses
Computing
Civil Engineering
Electrical Engineering
Sports Coaching
And many more…
(1 day per week - 2 year)

19. Pathways & Progression:
If students choose not to stay on at school,
what are the options? Remain on the academic route?
Apply for college
(must see Julia Mitchell/
Fiona Lafferty
Careers Adviser)
Winter Leaver – pupils going into S5
whose 16th birthday is between
1 October and end of February.
Exceptional
entrant to college.
Apply for University
(although not common after S5.
Students must see PSD teacher)

20. Take the working route? Apply for a Modern Apprenticeship
(must see Julia Mitchell)
Apply for training
(must see Julia Mitchell)
Employability Fund
Targeted Pathways to
Apprenticeships

21. UCAS Applications:
Key Dates in process - Early Sept 2015: Tutors allocated to pupils - End of Sept 2015: 1st draft of Personal Statement and Higher Education reports from teachers completed - Nov 2015: Pupil application and Tutor references complete
Personal Statement - Why me?, why this course?, what have I achieved so far? - Strengths, skills, achievements, success - Goals and future aspirations - Demonstrate skills and positive character traits
- Must all be relevant to the course applying to
PSD input - Research opportunities, advice, support, relationship

22. Senior School Personal, Social & Spiritual Development:
S5 and S6 Conferences
Peer Support and Buddying
Leadership Opportunities
Chaplaincy
S6 Council
Interfaith Day
HWB, PE & RE
Values – the things that make St. Modan’s pupils who they are!

23. Final Points What is realistic and best for my child?
Personalisation - the key to meeting individual needs
Imaginative solutions required
Curricular and Pastoral support
Partnership – staff, pupils and parents
Make the most of every opportunity –
Getting the best for everyone
‘one young person at a time’