Wednesday 20 February 2019 Welcome S3 Pupil Choice Wednesday 20 February 2019 Welcome

Qualification Framework SCQF Level Curriculum for Excellence Previous Qualifications Other equivalent awards 1/2 National 1/2 Access 1 and 2 3 National 3 Foundation S Grade Access 3 4 National 4 General S Grade Intermediate 1 SVQ1 5 National 5 Credit S Grade Intermediate 2 Modern Apprenticeship SVQ2 6 Higher Foundation Apprenticeship SVQ3 7 Advanced Higher Higher National Certificate Modern Apprenticeship SVQ3

S4 – S6 The Senior Phase S4 – 6 subjects: English and Maths plus 4 others at N3, N4, N5. S5 – 5 subjects at N3, N4, N5, H. S6 – Minimum 4 subjects at N3, N4, N5, H, AH.

Progression Routes For pupils the progression can be… N4 > N5 > H > AH However there will be subjects you can start in S5 and S6 at N5 or Higher with no previous Senior Phase study. The choice sheet shows the Higher courses that are available this year. (NO guarantees for next year!)

How to Choose What am I good at? What do I enjoy? What do I plan to do in S5 and S6 if I stay on? What career might I follow after school?

How Not to Choose I like/dislike that teacher… My pal is doing that so I will as well so I am in their class. My brother/sister/parent liked that subject.

Changed National Qualifications In September 2016, Scottish Government announced changes to National Qualifications Unit assessments would be removed from courses at National 5: Session 2017-18 Higher: Session 2018-19 Advanced Higher: Session 2019-20 In each course, one or more of the following changes has been/will be made: Extension of the existing examination paper Extension or modification of the existing item of coursework Addition of a new examination paper Addition of a new item of coursework

Some examples An examination in some subjects which had none; for example: Administration and IT, Hospitality – both Cake Craft and Practical Cookery Practical Woodworking Longer examinations in: Mathematics Sciences Changes to coursework: Graphic Communication Administration and IT

Assessment National 1/2/3/4 are entirely internally assessed. 3 units plus, for National 4, a value added task. They are pass/fail. National 5/Higher/Advanced Higher an external examination and some have coursework. Graded A to D, with A, B and C being passes; D is classed as an award.

Finding Out About Courses School website…. www.westhillacademy.aberdeenshire.sch.uk

Finding Out About Careers www.planitplus.net www.myworldofwork.co.uk/ www.ucas.com College/University websites

Planning for the Future: Next Steps Automotive Maintenance & Repair Principles Level 2 (SCQF Level 5) - NESCol Need National 4 in Maths, English or a technical subject. Introduction to the Hair & Beauty Sector (VRQ Level 1 Diploma) - NESCol Applicants are expected to have a minimum of three National 4 qualifications. Good communication and practical skills are required, with the ability to develop and learn essential skills. Students must want to become a beauty therapist, and be genuinely interested in the profession.

Planning for the Future: Next Steps Foundation Apprenticeship - NESCol Mechanical Engineering SCQF Level 6 This course is suited to school pupils who expect to continue at school until the end of S6 and who are on track to achieve passes in related National 5 awards in S4.  Applicants should be expecting to achieve an A or B pass in N5 Maths and will be expected to work towards Higher Maths in S5 or S6.  Pupils would benefit from studying Higher Physics during S5 or S6. Foundation Apprenticeship - NESCol Social Services and Healthcare SCQF Level 6 The Foundation Apprenticeship from current S4 planning on continuing at school until the end of S6.  Applicants should be expecting to achieve a pass in N5 English.   Applicants should consider which Highers will be required alongside the Foundation Apprenticeship to support future progression pathways.  Higher Human Biology could support progression to Nursing studies.

Planning for the Future: Next Steps HNC Childhood Practice - NESCol Applicants should have two Highers (one of which must be English) and N5 Maths. HND Animal Care - SRUC Applicants must hold a minimum of two Highers (one of which should be Biology). 1week related work experience HND Textiles - NESCol Typical applicants will be expected to have a minimum of two Higher passes - one of which should be Higher Art.

Planning for the Future: Next Steps Medicine – MBChB - University of Glasgow S5 academic entry requirements: No entry from S5. Minimum S5 academic entry requirements: AAAAA/AAAABB Standard S6 academic entry requirements: S6 Conditional Offers require applicants to achieve EITHER two Advanced Highers (one at Grade A and the other at Grade B) AND one Higher at Grade B OR three Advanced Highers at Grades BBB. There are no subject requirements for Advanced Highers in S6. Other mandatory requirements: Applicants are not considered for entry to Medicine from S5. Higher grades must include Chemistry AND Biology AND either Mathematics or Physics. It is acceptable to take Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics or Physics as Highers in S6, provided grades AAAAA or AAAABB are achieved by S5. A minimum grade B would be required in any required Higher subject studied in S6. Advanced Highers are normally only considered from S6. Biology and Human Biology are NOT considered as separate subjects at Higher. English at National 5 level at Grade B or above. UCAT. Interview. Applicants who are successful at interview will be made Conditional Offers based on S6 results.

Planning for the Future: Next Steps Chemical Engineering - MEng - Heriot Watt University Higher AAAB Maths and Chemistry required. Physics strongly advised at least at National 5. (This is minimum - more may be needed) Arts & Social Sciences – MA - University of Aberdeen Higher AABB or BBB obtained at first sitting required or if obtained over two sittings must exceed this. English at National 5 is also required. Good performance in additional Highers / Advanced Highers may be required to meet the conditions of a Standard Offer. For some degrees a specific subject is required, for example National 5 Mathematics needed for entry to many Accountancy, Economics, Finance and for Sport and exercise science. - Robert Gordon University

The Choice Form National 3 National 4 National 5 Highers that may be available in S5/6 Art and Design Practical Craft Graphic Communication Practical Woodworking Administration and IT Computing Science Business Accounting Business Management Health and Food Technology Hospitality: Practical Cookery   Geography History Modern Studies French Spanish Drama Music Physical Education Biology Chemistry Physics ChemistryPhysics English Mathematics Accounting and Business Management are only on offer at one level. A National 4 in Business may be available if additional work has been done. Some subjects do not currently have progression to Higher

How to Complete the Form Choice number Subject Level 1 Chemistry N5 2 Physics 3 Business Management 4 Graphic Communication N4 RESERVE CHOICE Computing Science You should choose 4 Subjects from the list. Put your choices in order of importance to YOU. Make sure for sciences you put N3/4 or N5. Consult your Guidance Teacher to ensure you make the best choices. Write a 5th RESERVE choice in final box.

Choosing the level Where the subject has been studied in S3 the teachers have recommended a level for S4 in the report. School policy is to suggest National 5 for any pupil where we feel there is a possibility of achieving at least a D award.

Planning for the Future Choice for S4 English Maths Geography Art & Design Practical Cookery Practical Woodwork Choice for S4 English Maths N5 Chemistry N5 Physics Business Management Graphic Communication Possible choice for S5 English H Art & Design H Geography H Business Management H Admin and IT N5 Possible choice for S5 Maths H Chemistry H Physics H Graphic Communication H Computing Science N5

Exceptions Additional Support If a pupil is identified as needing additional support then this becomes one of the 4 choices. This applies to most pupils who have attended small groups with a Learning Support teacher in S3. Pupils should know if it applies to them. If anyone is unsure please contact Guidance Staff.

Please Note It is hoped that we will be able to provide the majority of pupils with their first four choices. However, we cannot guarantee that every combination of courses will be possible or that every course listed above will run. This will depend on the numbers opting for the course, timetabling and available subject specialist staffing.