Senior Phase Meldrum Academy January 2013

S4-S6 Pupils moving into S4 will choose up to 6 courses at the and of S3. S5 pupils will choose up to 5 courses. S6 by negotiation on a points basis. Courses will be one year long. Courses will lead to National Qualifications awarded by the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA), as at present. Pupils will sit at exams at a level most appropriate to their own level of achievement and attainment. There will be options of courses taught at Banff & Buchan and Aberdeen Colleges. Wide range of co-curricular and extra curricular options.

Combined Senior Phase Set up the school timetable so that S4, S5 and S6 can have the same choice of subjects. E.g. an Accounting and Finance class working at level 5 can be open to pupils in S4, S5 and S6. Classes that were not viable because of low numbers could now run. More classes at different levels can operate so that pupils can be make good progress by working at the most appropriate level. A wider range of courses and levels including new courses and subjects.

Building up qualifications Pupil build up a portfolio of qualifications, achievements and experiences. Greater focus on partnerships with colleges and universities, CLD, relevant work experience, other schools and volunteering in and out of school. Greater focus on wider achievements both in and out of school. Portfolio continues to be developed and added to after pupils have left school at work, college or university

English Level 5 French Level 5 Maths Level 5 History Level 5 Music level 5 Chemistry Level 5 Sue’s journey S4 Enjoys languages and music, thought about taking two languages but kept her options open with a science subject. Plays trumpet in school groups and hopes to pass an audition for North Aberdeenshire Orchestra.

English Level 5 English Higher French Level 5 Maths Level 5 History Level 5 Music level 5 French Higher History Higher Music Higher Spanish Level 4/5 Chemistry Level 5 Sue’s journey S5 Languages are a key strength. Made very good progress in English and History. Decides to add a second language – Spanish, starting from scratch but will do Higher in S6. Plays in school and Aberdeenshire orchestras.

English Level 5 English Higher French Level 5 Maths Level 5 History Level 5 Music level 5 French Higher History Higher Music Higher Spanish Level 4/5 Spanish Higher Music Advanced Higher French Advanced Higher Chemistry Level 5 Sue’s journey to study Languages at University Prefect, Depute House Captain, school & Aberdeenshire orchestra, buddy in French classes, Rotary Club sponsor Euroscola to Brussels, part-time employment as a distillery guide

English Level 5 Computing Level 4 Maths Level 5 Graph Comm Level 5 Craft Skills (Wood) level 5 College Rural Skills Level 4 Alan’s journey Alan has worked on a farm at weekends. He thinks that he would like to leave school at the end of S4 and go to college and take a course in agriculture. Alan has enjoyed technical subjects and maths. In S4 he attends a local college for one day per week and takes the Rural Skills course. He has a work experience placement with Aberdeenshire Council grounds maintenance team. Alan works with Skills Development Scotland and secures a modern apprenticeship with a local agricultural company.

English Level 5 Maths Higher Graph Comm level 5 Maths Level 5 Physics level 5 Skills for Work College Graph Comm Higher Physics Higher Design and Manf. level 5 College NC Engineer College NC Engineer Stephen’s journey In S3 Stephen thought that he could would like to work as a mechanical engineer and so he chose to spend one day a week at local college on practical course. He enjoyed college and joined the H+ scheme in S5. He did Higher maths and the school supported him with classes in engineering maths. He made a presentation to local employers as part of a business engagement evening and then was successful in getting and Oil and Gas Industry apprenticeship with Opito.

English Access Level 3 Literacy Music Access Level 3 Steps to Work Level 3/4 Supported Study Maths Access 3 Child Care College Music Level 4/5 Hospitality Access Level 3 Hospitality level 4/5 Child Care College Lauren’s journey Lauren has a range of additional educational support needs. She is very hard working and responsible. Lauren enjoys the RDA sessions. In S4 Lauren attended a local FE college and studied Child Care at Level 4. She enjoyed this and decided to follow this course at the next level in S5 with a view to leaving school at the end of S5 to study Child Care on a full time basis. In addition, in S5 Lauren represented the school in the Taste of Grampian competition and had work experience in a creche. Maths Personal Finance Level 4

English Level 5 English Higher Biology Level 5 Maths Level 5 Physics Level 5 Chemistry level 5 Human Biology Higher Physics Higher Chemistry Higher Maths Higher French Higher Chemstry Advanced Higher Biology Advanced Higher French Level 5 Jo’s journey Jo wanted to study medicine and chose three science subjects in S4 and followed these through into S5. She undertook the required medical work experience and volunteered in a local care home. Jo was a prefect, house captain and number buddy. She completed the silver DoE and went to The Gambia as part of the Gold.

English Level 5 English 2-yr Higher French Level 5 Maths Level 5 Business Man. Level 5 Chemistry level 5 College NC course Accounts & Fin. Higher Maths Higher English Higher French Higher College HNC Accounts & Financ. Level 5 Anne’s journey Anne really enjoyed the Business & Finance course in S3 and this gives her a direction for S4. In S5 she attend a local college for one day on the H+ course. She proves to be an excellent student and gains an HNC by the end of S6. Anne is a prefect and helps produce a community newsletter. Anne is offered entry to year 3 at university to study a business course (under the 2+2 scheme) but opts for yr 2 entry and takes Business with a European Language French.