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

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

3. 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

4. Progression
From a Broad General Education to the Senior Phase

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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)

8. 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

9. 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

10. National Qualifications
A Broad General Education and the Senior Phase

11. 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

12. 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

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

14. 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

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

16. 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

17. 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

18. 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

19. 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

20. Making choices for S4

21. 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

22. 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

23. 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

24. 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

25. 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

26. 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.

27. Towards the Senior Phase…
Parents as Partners