1. Parents’ Information Evening Tuesday 14 January

2. School Alec Morris - Head Teacher Irene Davidson - Depute Carol Graham - Depute Lewis Paterson - Depute Caroline Bannon - Curriculum Leader Alexa Brain - Curriculum Leader Kath Stewart - Support Leader QI Team Grace Vickers - Quality Improvement Manager (Secondary) Liz Gray - Quality Improvement Officer Also, Rebecca Gaukroger - Head of Admissions, The University of Edinburgh

3. Curriculum Rationale Our vision is to provide a curriculum which enables all pupils to achieve their full potential and allows them to fulfil their aspirations within and beyond school. We will ensure the curriculum meets the needs of all learners and that our pupils are able to secure appropriate positive destinations.

4. Who decides curriculum? Scottish Government Education Scotland (LTS & HMIE) SQA City of Edinburgh School Leadership Team Views of staff, parents & pupils

5. Curriculum Structure Progress S4 - S6 Senior Phase National 3/4/5/6/7 S1 - S3 Broad General Education (BGE) Curriculum Levels 3&4

6. Structure of School Week Retain 22 mins Tutor Group NowProposed 23 periods28 periods 67 minute periods55 minute periods

7. Broad General Education S1 - S3

8. S1/S2 15 subjects in total Range of subjects covering all 8 CfE curricular areas PLUS 4 core activities - PE, PSE, RME and IDL

9. S1 and S2 Session 14/15 Broad General Education covering all eight CfE curricular areas

10. S3 Broad General Education with increased Personalisation & Choice 10 subjects covering all 8 CfE curricular areas English, Maths, a Science, a Social Subject and Modern Languages are compulsory Choose 5 other subjects across curricular areas 4 core activities - PE, PSE, RME and IDL

11. S2 into S3 Session 14/15 Broad General Education covering all eight curricular areas with choice

12. Senior Phase S4 - S6

13. S4 - S6 Pupils from three years taught as a single cohort 6 courses to be chosen in S4 (English and Maths compulsory) Max of 6 courses in S5/6 (5 in session 14/15 only) College courses / employment / volunteering etc also available

14. S3 into S4 Session 14/15 Currently studying eight subjects (+ core) in S3 Move to study six subjects (+ core) in S4

15. S4 into S5 Session 14/15 Currently studying eight subjects (+ core) in S4 Move to study five subjects (+ core) in S5 CORE

16. S3 into Senior Phase Session 15/16 Will have been studying 10 subjects (+ core) in S3 Move to study six subjects (+ core) in combined Senior Phase English and Maths are compulsory in S4 English compulsory in S5

17. Senior Phase Learner Journeys

18. Learner Journey - 1 Jo wants to leave school at the end of S4 and train to be a hairdresser. In S4 Jo studies English, Maths, Hospitality, History and Art & Design at Nat 4 level. On a Tuesday and Thursday afternoon she attends Edinburgh College (Sighthill Campus) where she studies the National Progression Award in Hairdressing. She also takes part in the JET programme, spending Fridays on a work experience placement in Cheynes. At the end of S4 she leaves school to a Modern Apprenticeship in Hairdressing accessing college as part of her apprenticeship.

19. Learner Journey - 2 Billy wants to leave school at the end of S5 and attend College working towards a Sport & Leisure qualification. In S4 Billy studies Nat 5 Biology and PE and Nat 4 English, Maths, Modern Studies and Computing. In S5 Billy continues his study in Higher Biology and PE, studies Nat 5 English and Computing whilst picking up new Nat 4 qualifications in Hospitality and Art & Design. He leaves school at the end of S5 to study “Fitness Health & Exercise” at Edinburgh College.

20. Learner Journey - 3 Ben wants to study History at University. In S4 Ben selects Nat 5 English, History, Geography and French. He studies Maths and PE and Nat 4. In S5 Ben continues his study in English, History and French to Higher level. He studies Nat 5 Maths and PE and picks up IT Essentials. In S6 Ben takes History onto Advanced Higher and studies Higher Maths, Geography and PE. He is successful in gaining entry to Stirling University to study History.

21. Learner Journey - 4 Laura wants to be a Vet. In S4 Laura selects Nat 5 English, Maths, Biology, Chemistry, Physics and French. She follows a combined Nat 5/Higher course. The class “stop off” to sit and pass Nat 5 at the end of S4. She then goes on to complete her study in each of the subjects in S5, gaining 6 Higher passes by the end of S5. In S6 she studies AH Chemistry and Biology and Higher History as well as undertaking a placement at a local vets on a Tuesday afternoon. She also supports a teacher in S1 Science classes gaining a Saltire Award. Laura gains entry to the Royal School of Veterinary Studies at Edinburgh University.

22. Curriculum for Excellence and university admissions Rebecca Gaukroger Head of Admissions, The University of Edinburgh 14 January 2014

23. Curriculum for Excellence Commitment made by Principals of Scotland’s universities and colleges: “…continue to be committed to fair admissions policies and that these will allow for the equal consideration of candidates who possess the necessary knowledge and skills base irrespective of what routes they may have taken through the Senior Phase (S4 to S6) of Curriculum for Excellence.” ‘Beyond the Senior Phase’, Universities Scotland, 2012

24. Curriculum for Excellence and university admissions Universities and colleges are free to set their own entry requirements The first students who have followed the senior phase of Curriculum for Excellence will apply to university for autumn 2015 entry (from S5), or autumn 2016 entry (from S6) Each of Scotland’s higher education institutions has published a statement on Curriculum for Excellence and admissions Will remain the case that entry to some universities and some degree programmes is competitive, and that entry cannot be guaranteed 2015 prospectuses will reflect Curriculum for Excellence.

25. Statement on Curriculum for Excellence & Admissions www.ed.ac.uk/studying/undergraduate/applications- admissions/entry-requirements/cfe Changes Recognition of National 5s in place of Standard Grade Credit/Int 2s No advantage or disadvantage to having National 5s Recognition of Highers taken in S4, and removal of preference for Highers in one sitting Requirement for at least 3 Highers at specified grades in S4, S5 or S6. Curriculum for Excellence and admission to Edinburgh

26. Example of minimum requirement in University of Edinburgh prospectus for 2015 entry: “ABBB by end of S5 or ABBBB/AABB from S4-S6” Curriculum for Excellence and admission to Edinburgh

27. National 5s – the details Where we require a subject at National 5, we will accept it at National 5 or Higher We no longer require a language other than English for entry (except for entry to most language degrees) National 5 Lifeskills Maths does not meet our Maths/Science requirement Curriculum for Excellence and admission to Edinburgh

28. Contact: Rebecca Gaukroger Head of Admissions Student Recruitment & Admissions sra.enquiries@ed.ac.uk