1. Curriculum Information Evening Tuesday 31 January, 2017
Moving On Within The Senior Phase
Option Choice from S4 into S5

2. Introductions & Welcome
Mr Paul Cassidy – Head Teacher
Mrs Morag McLoughlan – DHT, Curriculum
Ms Lesley Allen – DHT, Year Head
Mr Ally MacLeod – DHT, Year Head

3. Aims of the Evening
Outline purpose and expectations of the Senior Phase
Explain our options process for current S4 pupils
Explain how we support pupils as they make choices and personalise their learning and maintain progression
Provide the opportunity for you to meet with partners from Higher and Further education.

4. S3 – 8 courses covering all 8 curricular areas & PE, PSE, RME
Progression
S6 – 5/4/3 courses
(National 4/5 / Higher / Adv Higher)
S5 - 5 subjects
(National 4/5 /Higher)
S subjects & PE, PSE, RE
(National 3/4/5)
S3 – 8 courses covering all 8 curricular areas & PE, PSE, RME
S courses
S courses
Senior Phase
Choice point
Choice point
Choice point
Choice point
BGE

5. Senior Phase (S4 – 6)
Young people in Stirling High School will have an entitlement to a senior phase of education which:
Provides specialisation, depth and rigour
Prepares them well for achieving qualifications to the highest level of which they are capable
Promotes literacy, numeracy and health and wellbeing
Continues to develop skills for learning, life and work
Provide support for young people to move on to sustained positive destinations.

6. Senior Phase Curriculum
Challenge and enjoyment
Breadth
Depth
Personalisation and choice
Coherence
Relevance

7. S5 Curriculum - What will it be?
Higher courses
National 5/ National 4 courses
National Progression awards
Opportunities for All – college options.

8. Reasons For Choices progression suited to skills and strengths
enjoyment
needed for future career / college / university
try something new
provide breadth to curriculum
best subjects?

9. Progression Pathways S4: 7 Subjects S5: 5 Subjects S6: 3/4/5 Subjects
Advanced Highers
Highers
School College Partnerships
Leave to Positive Destination
Higher
N4/5/Highers
School College Partnership
Leave to Positive Destination N5 N5
N4/5/Highers
School College Partnership
Leave to Positive Destination
N4/5
School College Partnership
Nat 3/4
Nat 3/4

10. Course Structure Five subjects to be chosen in S5 6 periods per week
Internally assessed if N4
External Exam N5/H/AH
Course Work

11. Assessment External Assessment – N5/Higher/AH Internal Assessment
Ongoing assessments to inform progress
Practical Work
External Assessment – N5/Higher/AH
SQA Exam
Grade A, B, C, D or No Award
National 4 – Unit Assessments and Added Value Unit
Coursework/Portfolio/Assignment
Contributes to overall grade e.g. Computing, Science, Social Subjects
Replaces exam in some subjects e.g. Practical Craft Skills, N5 PE

12. Option Process: S4 into S5
S4 Parents Options Information Evening 31st January
S4 Reports Issued 24th February
S4 Course Choice/ Interviews with Guidance Teacher begins 27th February
S4 Course Choice ends 10th March
S4 Options Forms returned by Friday 17th March.
March/April: Re-coursing (if required)
June : New timetable

13. Choosing For S5 – 5 Subjects
Realistic assessment: consider the overall performance at National 5 or National 4 (prelim results?) and how this might affect progression (C pass is not always a good indicator for success at Higher/ AH)
Advice on entry requirements to Higher courses are detailed in the Course Choice Information Booklet.
New subjects may be undertaken
Think about future aspirations / plans
Breadth of curriculum
Best subjects?
Do not choose based on friendship groups or teachers as this may change in S5.

14. Weightings
We ask pupils to weight three subjects a ‘1’, one subject as a ‘2’ and one subject as a’3’.
Free choice. We ask that pupils give us an alternative choice to the one weighted 3.
Reasons why a pupil might not get a choice
Small numbers – not viable
Large numbers – over subscribed – weightings taken into account

15. Personalising the Curriculum
Unfortunately not all young people will have their choice of all their subjects, but aim is to maximise possibilities for all pupils
Reasons are:
Oversubscribed courses
Courses which are not viable – small numbers
Combination of courses does not fit
We will endeavour to meet the needs of as many young people as possible

16. Following SQA Results SQA results are issued in August
Results may not be as expected and young people may require further re- coursing.
It is worthy of note in finalising classes on receipt of results, changes may have to be made to sections and teachers allocated

17. Sources of Advice Guidance Teacher
Subject Teachers/ PT Curriculum/ Form Teachers/ PT Pupil Support
Parents/Relations/Family friends
Careers Adviser
Options Booklet
Universities/ College
Internet...My world of work UCAS course search tool

18. Parents can help by………. discussing choices with your child ;
encouraging your child to research possible
careers / entry requirements and consider future career aspirations;
using UCAS course search tool;
get in touch if you need more information;
ensuring that your child returns their completed and signed options form by: Friday 17th March.