MEARNS CASTLE HIGH SCHOOL S4 CURRICULUM EVENING 27TH SEPTEMBER 2018

Plan for Evening National Courses – the pupil experience Course design and assessment Some study advice for parents/carers Useful websites etc. and resources Opportunity for questions (Presentation on school website after event)

National Courses Almost all N5 courses have an internally produced assignment and a final exam, both of which are marked by the SQA. For practical reasons, other courses have components which are assessed by external examiners. The visiting period for external verifiers is Jan to April and the submission deadlines for course work are in March and April. For this reason it is important that pupils maintain high levels of attendance throughout the term from Christmas to Spring Break. Other practical subjects are assessed internally but may be subject to moderation visits from SQA. Course Assessments form part of National 5 qualifications and assess the application of learning across the course.

7 Methods of Assessments Assignment Case Study Practical Activity Performance Portfolio Project Question paper/test

Nat 5 Unit Assessments (UASPs) Previously UASPs were compulsory components of the overall course award. These have now been replaced (in most subjects) by extended coursework and a more rigorous final examination. Pupils will still sit school based assessments during the session and some pupils will be presented for UASPs in some subjects areas. Some pupils may be presented for stand-alone units at N5 as a safety net to ensure recognition at that level.

Assessment (Nat 4) Assess the application of learning across the course Pass or fail Ensure required skills, knowledge and understanding have been achieved Unit Assessments (UASPs) are set by the SQA Added Value Unit Assessments are set by the SQA Carried out by class teacher and internally verified by department/faculty. All internal verification could be subject to external moderation by the SQA.

S4 Assessment Calendar School Website Mearns Castle High School - SQA Nationals - S4 Assessment Timelines 2018-2019 Session 2015-2016 Levels August September October November English N4 Unit 2 : Talk, Writing Whole Year Group Reading Assessment   Unit One Listening N5 Folio planning Reading Year Group Assessment Folio Piece 1 submitted Talk Assessment French Unit 1 Reading & Listening (re-sit opportunity) Unit 2 Talking & Writing (re-sit opportunity) Department Reading, Listening & Writing Assessment Spanish Unit 1 Reading & Listening Unit 2 Talking & Writing Mandarin Mathematics Department Assessment+Unit 2 Added Value Unit Geography Rural Assessment N4 AVU N5 Assignment History Modern Studies

Assessment Department Examples

The Course Assessment consists of 4 Components: A portfolio of writing Spoken Language Performance Reading for Understanding Critical reading

School Assessment (or ‘evidence of learning’) is gathered through class work and assessments in September and the December Prelim The Course Assessment consists of two Question Papers (final exam in May, marked by the SQA)

School assessments will demonstrate that learners can apply knowledge and understanding and scientific skills to an experiment or practical investigation and report on the investigation. This may be evidenced in a portfolio of work The Course Assessment will be a two-section final exam and an Assignment which will require learners to research a topical issue as well as using data from a practical investigation in one of the topics covered during the course. The Course Assessment and Assignment will be marked by the SQA

School assessment will show competence in each of the two areas of expressive art and design and may include sketch books, extended writing, notes, group discussions, reviews, critiques The Course Assessment consists of two portfolios (showing investigation development and evaluation leading to one final piece of expressive art work and one final design solution) and the two section final written exam. These will be marked by the SQA.

School assessment could be videos of performance, peer and self- reflection, graphic organisers, cause and effect, Q charts, oral evidence through question/answer sessions, use of ICT The Course Assessment consists of the Performance and the Portfolio which will be marked according to SQA guidance and instructions. No final exam

Presentation Level? In 2018 over 92% of our S4 presentations were at N5 and of those presentations 93% were successful in gaining one or more pass at this level. Final decisions about presentation levels will, in the main, take place after the prelims – ambitious but realistic N4 may be a better route for some young people allowing them to have success in S4 and then build on that during S5 & S6 when a small number of N5 courses will be available in school and pupils will also have opportunities to choose vocational courses that are organised in partnership with local colleges.

Target Bands on S4 Tracking Reports Target Bands have been generated for each S4 pupil in each of their National courses based on the pupil’s prior attainment including their performance in the S3 Examination diet. The S4 Tracking Report also features information on Working Bands which is the level at which a pupil is currently working on the course. This information will generate very valuable dialogue between pupils, parents and teachers around how pupils can move their performance from the Working Band towards the Target Band or indeed sustain their current level of performance Target Bands are neither Estimate nor Predicted Grades for pupils. Rather they are Targets based on prior attainment which pupils, with maximum motivation and commitment, can realistically aspire to achieve in their National SQA Examinations. They are aspirational targets that are intended to be both ambitious and realistic for the pupil.

Gradient of Learning Subject Nat 5 Result 2017 Higher Result 2018 (ERC) English A B C D Fail A1 81% 17% 2% 0% A2 42% 36% 16% 3% B3 10% 30% 13% 11% B4 21% 44% 18% 14% C5 7% 26% 46% C6 29% 47%

Gradient of Learning Subject N5 Result 2017 Higher Result 2018 (ERC) Maths A B C D Fail A1 86% 11% 3% 0% A2 35% 33% 22% 4% 6% B3 30% 13% 16% B4 34% 25% C5 14% 40% C6

Study Advice Websites & resources

Planning for study Dedicated study area Work to a plan Organise notes and resources Mobile phones Diet Exercise Sleep patterns

SQA Study Planner MyStudyPlan APP Keep ticking over Organised work space Talk to staff – Parents Evening Balance between subjects Challenge yourself Stay healthy/ active

Planning for study (2) Mind maps Flash Cards Recording Notes Post-its Ever-decreasing notes Study buddies

scholarprogramme @SCHOLARuk SCHOLAR

Anytime, anywhere

GLOW & MCHS Website More and more, we are putting revision materials, study advice and homework on GLOW and the school website. We will have an updated S3/S4 Assessment calendar on the school website later this week to help support pupils to prepare and organise their time management while also keeping parents informed.

Key dates for S4 Tracking Report issued to parents – 20th September 2018 S4 Curriculum Evening 27th Sept 2018 S4 Parents meeting – 4th Oct 2018 Work Experience – 8th – 12th October 2018 Prelims – 4th Dec to 17th Dec 2018 S4 Report with presentation levels – 25th January 2019 Options night and timings for interviews and submission – 28th January

Prelims and SQA Exams Prelims - 4th – 17th December: This will replicate the experience pupils can expect when they come to the formal SQA exams. The first SQA exam that involves S4 students will be Thursday 25th April 2019 National 5 Administration and IT. Pupils will have study leave from Tuesday 23rd April Pupils who have a number of N4 courses where there is no final exam will have a different experience at this time – this might include college activities, work experience or other school-based activities.

….114 school days until the first exam In conclusion…... ….114 school days until the first exam

Online Evaluation

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