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

2. 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

3. 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.

4. 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!)

5. 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?

6. 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.

7. Changed National Qualifications
In September 2016, Scottish Government announced changes to National Qualifications
Unit assessments would be removed from courses at
National 5: Session
Higher: Session
Advanced Higher: Session
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

8. 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

9. 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.

10. Finding Out About Courses
School website….

11. Finding Out About Careers
College/University websites

12. 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.

13. 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.

14. 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.

15. 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.

16. 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

17. 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

18. 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.

19. 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.

20. 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

21. 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.

22. 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.