1. Senior School Options Evening
Thursday 22nd of February 2018

2. Format of the evening Welcome - Mrs Edgerton
The Senior Phase curriculum and Learner Pathways - Mr Mochan
Wider Achievement & Supporting Positive Destinations - Mrs Hayes
An SQA Perspective - Karen Sproull
Progression in the Senior Phase: A Faculty Example - Mr Furniss, F.H. of Business and Computing
College Partnerships - Mr Carstairs

3. Less than 1 ½ days missed - 8 lessons (approx.)
Pupil
Group
Average attendance
In a
10 week term* . . .
Top 20% of year group
(36 pupils)
97.49%
Less than 1 ½ days missed - 8 lessons (approx.)
Those on course for 8 Nat 5s
(71 pupils)
96.87%
Just over 1 ½ days missed - 10 lessons
(approx.)
Top 50% of year group
(87 pupils)
96.21%
Almost 2 days missed - 12 lessons
Lower 50% of year group
86.74%
More than 6 ½ days missed - 40 lessons
Lowest 20% of year group
73.98%
More than 13 days missed - 78 lessons

4. Preparing For This Session’s SQA Examinations
SQA Assignments school deadlines begin in March
SQA examination diet begins on 30th of April
Unit Assessment initial deadline in May

5. Supports Available Class lessons Supported Study Programme PST Support
Blairvadach Study Weekends (January and March)
S4 Core Period
Study Skills
Subject Support
Spring Revision Programme
Reporting
Tracking reports in October, February and March
Full report in November
Show My Homework
Parents’ Evenings
September
November
February

6. Senior Phase: S4-S6
S4: 8 courses (National 3, National 4 and National 5)
National 3 & 4 - internally assessed; no external SQA examination
National 5 - internal assessments OR external SQA examination (DIFFERENT AWARDS)
National Progression Awards (N.P.A.): unit based courses – no
S5: 5 courses (National 4, National 5 and Higher)
National 5 and Higher levels - coursework assessed by the SQA and an external SQA examination OR internal assessments (DIFFERENT AWARDS)
National Progression Awards (N.P.A.)
S6: 4 or 5 courses (National 4, National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher)
As above

7. Learner Pathways - Progression
Progression - depth
Maths N5 in S4, Maths Higher in S5, Maths Advanced Higher in S6
Progression - breadth
Art Nat 5 in S4, Art Higher in S5, Photography Higher in S6
Alternative pathways
N.P.A. Qualifications - practical and vocational in nature (Computer Games Development, Ethical Hacking and Cyber Security, etc.)
Vocational college courses – two afternoons per week; fitted into school options columns so that other subjects are not compromised

8. Learner Pathways – Learner 1 (Depth)
Nat 5
English
Maths
Chemistry
Nat 5 Physics
History
Music
Computing
Media S5
Higher English
Higher Maths
Higher Chemistry
Higher Physics
Higher Music S6
Advanced Higher Physics
Advanced Higher Chemistry
Advanced Higher Maths

9. Learner Pathways – Learner 2 (Depth, Breadth)
Nat 5
English
Nat 4
Maths
Nat 4 Music
Art
Nat 5 French
Nat 5 Biology
Nat 5 Chemistry PE S5
Higher English
Vocational Course – College
National 5 Music
Higher
Higher French S6
Higher Music
Advanced Higher Physics
Chemistry
Higher Photography

10. Learner Pathways – Learner 3 (Depth, Breadth, Alternative Pathways)
English
Nat 3
Maths
Nat 4 Drama
Nat 4 French
Nat 4 Geography
Nat 5 PE
Nat 4 History
Art & Design S5
National 5
Personal Finance Maths – Level 4
National 5 History
Geography
College: National 4 Skills for work - Automotive S6
Higher
Modern Studies
French

11. The Options Process – getting it right
Research is the key!
Seek Advice – Pastoral Care Teacher
School Careers Advisor – Kate McMahon
Subject teachers
Speak to family members / family friends

12. The Options Process – where are we?
All Curricular Principal Teachers present at Assemblies (Feb - March) on Senior Phase Subjects available within their curricular area.
Senior Phase Option Booklets issued in March.
All students complete a mock form in late March
“Free choice” rather than subjects arranged in columns;
May be possible (though not guaranteed) to give a greater number of students their top 5 choices;
All students will attend an individual options interview with their Pastoral Care Teacher in June in order to complete a second options form, with subjects now arranged into columns.
The new Senior Phase Timetable will begin in late May/early June (date T.B.C.)

13. The Options Process Key advice
Pick five best qualifications from S4 to take on into S5
Avoid “crashing” a subject until S6
Be aware of entry requirements for:
University or college courses;
Training or vocational programmes.

15. The Options Process – where next?
Re-coursing will take place during August following the publication of SQA exam results.
Students who wish to change their options are encouraged to come into school around the time that results are published to speak to Pastoral Care (date: TBC).
Any further re-coursing will take place during the first week of term in August.

16. Partnerships
Partnerships are essential to us being able to deliver many of the experiences of the Senior Phase for pupils.
These include;
Glasgow Caledonian University AH Hub
Other surrounding secondary schools
Local College Providers
Skills Development Scotland (Careers Service)

17. Tracking of Progress in the Senior School
October – initial tracking report issued to parents
November – full report issued to parents
November/December – targeted S4-S6 Parents Evening
January – S4-6 Prelims
February – tracking report issued to parents
March – S5-6 parents evening
March – Final Tracking Report Issued (SQA ESTIMATES)

18. Target Setting with S5/6 Pupils
At each tracking point in the session, teaching staff discuss individual targets with their students.
An on-track grade is discussed – this is the grade that students are currently working at and is evidence based on classwork / assessments etc.
A target grade is set – this is an aspirational grade that the student should be working towards.

19. Wider Achievement in the Senior Phase
Duke of Edinburgh Awards
Saltire Awards – Volunteering
Mentoring and Literacy Programme
Youth Philanthropy Initiative
Primary School Placements

20. Supporting Positive Destinations
Pastoral Care Team
Careers Advisor – Kate McMahon – Skills Development Scotland

21. Thinking Beyond the Options Process
Research is vital
Online research – University and College Courses – check the entry requirements – are they looking for particular subjects?
Drop-in Careers Advisor Service – each Thursday in the Library at lunchtime. This will be extended further next session.

22. Support in Action – session 2018/19
UCAS Application – Information Evening, workshops, presentations on Personal Statements.
College Application and Apprenticeship Workshops – December and January.
Mock interviews – College and UCAS.
Employer visits within and outwith school.

23. Context: University of Glasgow Widening Access
Widening Participation criteria?
Reside in SIMD20/40 postcode
Schools with low progression to HE
Time spent in care / estranged
Carer
Asylum seekers / refugees
In receipt of EMA
In receipt of free school meals
Adult returners to Education via an Access course
Entrants from College
First in family to enter HE

24. Pre-Entry Programmes and selection criteria
Top-Up Programme (S5/S6, 60 schools)
FOCUS West: normally 3+ Highers; LA-funded: HE & FE applicants; whole S5 or S6 cohort
UoG Summer School (S5 or S6, 67 schools)
Whole cohort in target schools; UoG offer-holders
Reach (S4-S6, 100 schools)
Medicine, Law, Dentistry, Vet. Medicine; 6 Nat 5s in S4; commitment and interest in subject;
5 Highers in S5 (not for Law: on course to achieve adjusted tariff by end of S6)
Access to a Career (S4-S6, 95 schools)
Accounting/Finance, Education, Engineering; 6 Nat 5s in S4; commitment and interest in subject;
4-5 Highers in S5-6 (potential to achieve adjusted tariff)
Early Secondary Programme (S1-S3, 40 schools)
Reach: For professions, can help with admissions, tell us if you aren’t doing it.
Summer School: First year university experience on campus, can help with admissions. More details incoming.
Care Leavers: Must check box on UCAS indicating you are a care leaver. Financial and accommodation support available as well as advice. Contact Dan Keenan.

25. Employability Input – Session 2018/19
UCAS Application and College Application Support
Visits from Employers – different Industries represented
Workshops with Employers and Employability Staff
Mock Interviews for University, College & Employment
Targeted Work Experience

26. Work Experience Opportunities
Students are able to self-find work experience opportunities.
If these take place during school holidays then no health and safety checks are required.
If the placement is for during the school term, Glasgow City Council must carry out formal health and safety checks before the placement can begin.

27. Work Experience Opportunities
Students will complete a Skills and Aspirations Audit in August.
From this information we are looking to target work experience provision during S4, S5 and S6.
More information will be issued at the start of the session about Work Experience.

28. How you can help
We are looking to create a bank of parents who would be willing to help with our employability programme.
This could include; speaking to a small group of students about your career, advising on interview skills or even simply providing a short insight in your career.
If you think you could help in anyway, please leave your address and name on the sheets at the front on your way out.

29. Advance Warning: S5/6 Which Way Now Evening (Information event for parents and students on UCAS, College and Apprenticeships) September 2018

30. Thank you for attending
Thank you for attending. Please remember to check out the school website and Twitter page for updates on Careers and Employability. Tonight’s presentation will be available on-line soon.
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