1. Curriculum for Excellence –Overview
S3 into S4 options
Curriculum for Excellence –Overview
S1 – S3 is known as the Broad General Education and is when pupils have the opportunity to look at a broad range of courses before specialising at the end of third year. S3 is an opportunity for pupils to gain the skills and content needed for the next stage of their education.
S4 – S6 is known as the Senior Phase and fourth year is the stage at which pupils start to work towards formal qualifications.

2. Curriculum for Excellence –Overview
S3 into S4 options
Curriculum for Excellence –Overview
The subjects pupils select at the end of third year are those that will be studied for Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) certification.  Qualifications are known as Nationals. Courses are offered at National Five and National Four levels.
Most young people will start work towards National 5 in all subjects on entry to S4 unless S3 progress indicates that this would be too challenging in one session.  In these circumstances pupils would work towards National 4 with the possibility of progression to National 5 in fifth year. 

3. Stewarton Academy’s S4 Curriculum
S3 into S4 options
Stewarton Academy’s S4 Curriculum
Progression between SQA courses:
Year S4 S5 S6
Progression
pathways
National Four →
National 
Five →
Higher (National Six)
National Five →
Higher (National Six) →
Advanced Higher (National Seven) and/or more Highers 

4. Stewarton Academy’s S4 Curriculum
S3 into S4 options
Stewarton Academy’s S4 Curriculum
In S4 All pupils study: 
Maths & English four periods per week.
Core PE two periods per week.
RE and PSE one period per week each.
Pupils then choose five subjects, each for four periods per week – twenty in total. 
Pupils also choose a wider achievement course for one period per week.

5. S3 into S4 options S3 into S4 Option Process English Maths
Social Subjects
Sciences
Technologies
Personalisation 1
Personalisation 2
History
Geography
Modern Studies
Biology
Chemistry
Physics
Computing Science
Administration 
Graphic Communication
Health & Food Technology
Art & Design
Music
PE Studies
French
RMPS
Design & Manufacture
Practical Woodworking
Spanish

6. S3 into S4 options S3 into S4 Option Process Course Ranking (1-9)
Spanish
Introduction to Philosophy & Nature of Belief
Music Technologies
Creative Industries
MVP
Duke of Edinburgh
Sports Leadership
Games Design
Lab Skills

7. S3 into S4 options S3 into S4 Option Process General Points
All pupils have now received a copy of the option forms.  Spares are available from the office.
Forms should be returned after a pupil has spoken to their guidance interview and after they have received their third year report.
Pupils must select a first and second choice in all columns apart from English and Maths.  We cannot accept forms where second choices have not been indicated.

8. S3 into S4 options S3 into S4 Option Process General Points
The form must be signed by a parent/carer.  We cannot accept a form without this signature.
The pupil’s name must be clearly written on the form.
The form should be returned to the pupil's guidance teacher who will check and sign it.
The deadline for returning forms is Monday 25th March 2019.

9. S3 into S4 options S3 into S4 Option Process In More Detail
The option form has been set up to allow pupils to take three sciences. For pupils who make this choice Biology must be picked in column E.  
(NB three sciences at Higher in a single sitting is not required for entry to medicine/veterinary medicine/dentistry.)   
Progression in two social subjects and two modern foreign languages is being offered in S4. Both these possibilities are dependent upon sufficient pupil uptake.

10. S3 into S4 options S3 into S4 Option Process
How your son/daughter will be supported
Individual interviews with Guidance teachers.
PSE classes
Information evening
Guidance teachers, class teachers & heads of departments
S3 reports issued Tuesday 12th March 2019.  

11. Would you like to know more?
S2 into S3 options
Would you like to know more?
National Parent Forum – Nationals in a Nutshell
Education Scotland  
Skills Development Scotland (Careers Service) (Appointments can be made through a guidance teacher and request forms are available in the library.)

12. Would you like to know more?
S2 into S3 options
Would you like to know more?
Any questions?