Towards the Senior Phase… Parents as Partners W Huq, DHT Year Head, S4

Contents Overview Process/ Timeline Progression to the Senior Phase Qualifications Overview Process/ Timeline

Entitlements: A coherent curriculum from 3 to 18 A broad general education, including well planned experiences and outcomes across all the curriculum areas. A senior phase which provides opportunities for study for qualifications and other planned opportunities for developing the four capacities Opportunities for developing skills for learning, skills for life and skills for work Opportunities to achieve to the highest levels they can through appropriate personal support and challenge Opportunities to move into positive and sustained destinations beyond school

Progression From a Broad General Education to the Senior Phase

Structure Stage Experience S1 Broad General Education Experiences and Outcomes 8 Curriculum Areas S2 S3 S4 Senior Phase: Qualifications National 3/4/5 Higher, Advanced Higher S5 S6

Broad General Education Curriculum overview S1 S2 S3 S4 S5 S6 All subjects All subject areas - specialisation and choice National 3 National 4 National 5 (Higher) (National 3) Higher Higher A.Higher Broad General Education The Senior Phase 13 subjects + core 8 subjects + core + electives 7 subjects + core 5 subjects 4/5 subjects

S3 Curriculum: Breadth, personalisation Based around 4th level O/E Specialisation within a range of curriculum areas – personalising the curriculum Opportunities for depth and progression: preparation for National 4/5 Maintain breadth across curricular areas (courses and electives) Skills for learning, life and work The expectation is that young people will reach a deeper and more secure level of attainment and achievement at the end of S3 than they do at present. Scottish Government, Building the Curriculum 3 (2008, P6)

S4 Curriculum: Depth,Challenge Core entitlement: PE(2), PSE, RE 7 SQA subjects: 4 periods per week Breadth Challenge Application Skills Extra-curricular activities Trips/excursions/visits School events Work experience breadth — drawing on knowledge and skills from across the Course challenge — requiring greater depth or extension of knowledge and/or skills application — requiring application of knowledge and/or skills in practical or theoretical contexts as appropriate

Managing, planning and organising time Personal responsibility Skills Development Literacy Numeracy Health and Wellbeing Enterprise Communication Working with others Solving problems Creative thinking Managing, planning and organising time Personal responsibility Creating Evaluating Analysing Applying Understanding Remembering Learning Work Life

National Qualifications A Broad General Education and the Senior Phase

Current generation of qualifications SCQF Current generation of qualifications 12 Doctorate 11 Masters 10 Honours Degree 9 Ordinary Degree 8 Higher National Diploma 7 Advanced Higher 6 Higher 5 National 5 4 National 4 3 National 3 2 National 2 1 National 1

N4/5 Requirements 3 Units Added Value Unit Unit 1 AVU Unit 2 Unit 3 Internally Assessed SQA Verified Added Value Unit N4: Internally Assessed PASS/FAIL N5: Externally Assessed SQA Exam A/B/C/D/No Award Unit 1 AVU Unit 2 Unit 3

How do we decide… National3 /National 4/National 5

Presentation levels Evidence: Note: in S3 Most S4 pupils will aim towards N5 unless there is clear evidence that they are unlikely to reach this level. Evidence: Prior attainment – S3 Classwork/ Homework Coursework N4 AVU N5 Unit assessments November assessments Note: in S3 Core work on 4th level E/Os (N4 level) Designed to lead into S4 courses

Pass Rates In 2014, 58% achieved 5 or more N5 passes

Understanding Standards Tracking and Moderation Monitor progress Intervene: support and challenge Protect the vulnerable: gather supporting evidence along the way recommendations made in collaboration with pupil/parent

Questions… How are classes organised? Some N5 only (where numbers permit) Most N4/N5 (opportunities to ‘move up’) Some N3/N4 (where support needs are identified early Will pupils be able to move levels? Encourage and bring on ‘late developers’ Protect the attainment of those who are struggling

Questions… What about S4 Prelims? Why have S3 Exams? Opportunity to gather evidence: strengths and weaknesses Mark the ‘End point’ for BGE Demonstrate how much and how well they’ve done Exam preparation and practice Contribute to the final profile/report Most will sit N5 Support the process of identifying N4/5 candidates Some will sit N3 or N4 Timing – subject to review. Evidence of N4 attainment

S4 Experience … Expectations Aspirations Ethos Learning and teaching New/ DIFFERENT Same Expectations Aspirations Progression/careers planning Next steps Ethos Learning and teaching Shared responsibility Pupil/parent/school Support and challenge Study and work rate Qualifications structure Curriculum organisation Qualifications requirements Presentation levels Assessment arrangements Prelims Study Leave Final Exams Certification process Skills/ wider achievement Operational timeline Progression pathways

Making choices for S4

S4 experience Curriculum based on 7 subjects Continuous assessment Next steps evening in September, review in January Assessments - late November Work related experiences – December Report and consultation in January / February Main Assessments - May

Making choices 24 January Information Evening for parents 30 January Information to pupils Subject information available on website Option form issued 10 February Option form returned 5 May New timetable begins  

Our Advice Don’t base choices on your favourite teacher Don’t base choices on which subjects your friends are taking Continue with S3 subjects and avoid picking up new subjects

Role of Guidance/DHT To provide key information and acts as a point of contact should you have any doubt about option choices Expert advice offered to pupils during the guidance interview process Bigger picture – progression into S5/6 to maximise the chance of success Support throughout the choices process

Role of Parent/Guardian Discuss career paths with your child Explore current prospectuses and subject requirements for potential University and College courses Base your choices on subjects you are good at, enjoy and those which develop relevant skills, to give you the best chance to gain good results

Work Experience Pupils have the opportunity to try out a wide range of jobs in various sectors including leisure, retail, administration, engineering, law, education, beauty and medicine. This is an important part of our pupils’ education which provides an insight into the world of work.

Towards the Senior Phase… Parents as Partners