Curriculum for Excellence

S3 into S4 & S4 / 5 into S5 / 6 Information EveningWednesday 13 January, 2016

Summary of the curriculum structure

The secondary curriculum is in two stages:

S1 – S3 Broad General Education

S4 – S6 Senior Phase

Stage 1 – The Broad General Education

What happens in the Broad General Education?

Through S1 and S2, pupils have experienced learning across a broad curriculum covering Languages, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, Religious & Moral Education, Expressive Arts, Health & Well being and Technology.

Languages Maths ScienceSocial

Studies& RME

Expressive Arts Health & Wellbeing Technology

English Modern Languages

     

Art Drama Music PSE HE PE ICT Technical

Personalisation and Choice - S3 

To smooth the transition into the Senior Phase, S2 pupils chose subject disciplines from each curriculum area for S3.

This continued the development of a broad curriculum and, importantly, responded to their academic strengths and interests. This curriculum personalisation allowed learners the opportunity to study subjects in greater depth at both third and fourth level and provides a strong platform for further study and engagement with National Qualifications from S4 onwards.

Languages Maths Science Social Studies Expressive Arts Technology H&WB Core Free

Choice

English FrenchGerman

 

BiologyChemistryPhysics

GeographyHistoryModern StudiesSocial Subjects

ArtDramaMusicPE

Business Administration Computing Science

Home Economics

Engineering ScienceGraphic CommunicationWoodwork

PEPSE

 

RME

RME

Stage 2 – What Happens in the Senior Phase

Pupils will work towards SQA and other qualifications.

There is a combined S4-S6 Senior Phase subject choice process.

In S4 all students will do English and Maths or Lifeskills Maths at the appropriate level. Students will also follow PSE, PE and RMPS as this is a national requirement.

In S4, including English and Maths, most students will follow six SQA courses.

Pupils will also be asked to choose one 2 period elective from a Wider Achievement list.

In S5 and S6 students will follow up to five or six SQA courses depending on the level of study. Each Higher course will be allocated 5 periods. All S5 and S6 students will follow a course in PSE and in addition will choose electives from the Wider Achievements list.

CfE National Qualifications

What has changed?The table shows the previous qualifications and what they have been replaced with in the Curriculum for Excellence qualifications.

How do the CfE qualifications work?

• National 1 UnitsThese are assessed as a pass or fail by the

teacher.

• National 2 & National 3 CoursesThese are made up of Units.They are assessed as a pass or fail by the teacher. Learners need to pass all Units to achieve the full

qualification.

National 4 CoursesThese are made up of Units, including an Added Value Unit that assesses learners’ overall performance across the course.They are assessed as a pass or fail by the teacher.Learners need to pass all Units, including the Added Value Unit, to achieve the qualification.

National 5, Higher & Advanced Higher CoursesThese are made up of units and a course assessment.They are graded A to D or ‘no award’.They involve an SQA question paper (exam) or coursework (assignments, practical activities), or both, most of which the teacher will mark and the SQA may check.

http://www.educationscotland.gov.uk/parentzone/index.asp

http://www.npfs.org.uk/nationals-in-a-nutshell/

http://www.npfs.org.uk/highers-in-a-nutshell/

S4

S5

S6

English

(Nat 5)

Maths

(Nat 5)

Biology

(Nat 5)

Chemistry

(Nat 5)

History

(Nat 5)

P.E.

(Nat 5)

Duke of Edinburgh

First Aid

English

(Higher)

Maths

(Higher)

Biology

(Higher)

Chemistry

(Higher)

History

(Higher)

Duke of Edinburgh

First Aid

Community/Voluntary work

Biology

(Adv Higher)

Chemistry

(Adv Higher)

Physics

(Higher)

School Enterprise Group

Duke of Edinburgh

First Aid

Voluntary work

Amy’s journey

S4

S5

S6

English

(Nat 5)

Maths

(Nat 5)

Biology

(Nat 5)

Computing

(Nat 5)

History

(Nat 5)

French

(Nat 5)

English

(Higher)

Maths

(Higher)

Biology

(Higher)

History

(Higher)

School concerts and shows

Work Experience

Psychology

(Higher)

Modern Stds

(Higher)

Creative Fashion

Connecting Classrooms

Community work

School concerts and shows

Ashley’s journey

S4 English

(Nat 4)

Maths

(Nat 4)

P.E.

(Nat 5)

Hospitality

(Nat 5)

Design & Manufacture

(Nat 4)

Skills for Work: Hospitality at local College

Fundraising Events

Primary Sports Day

Steven’s journey

S4

S5

English

(Nat 5)

Maths

(Nat 4)

Biology

(Nat 4)

Art & Design

(Nat 5)

Graphic Comm.

(Nat 5)

P.E.

(Nat 5)

School Shows

Maths

(Nat 5)

Biology

(Nat 5)

Art & Design

(Higher)

Design course at College

School Shows

Young Enterprise

English

(Higher)

Jenna’s journey

Who are we?

Career Education Opportunities

“As they move into the senior phase, young people of all abilities should have the opportunity to follow industry relevant vocational pathways

alongside academic studies.”

Education Working For All – June 2014

“The objective of our School College links programme is to offer a broad range of vocational

education opportunities that introduce pupils to industry relevant knowledge whilst developing transferable skills that support transition to the

workplace at the level most suited to their individual aspirations.”

NPA SCQF 5 Business Wednesday Inverurie Learning Centre

C&G Lv 1 Hairdressing Wednesday Aberdeen City Campus

C&G Lv 1 Beauty Therapy Wednesday Aberdeen City Campus

SfW N4 EE & Childcare Wednesday Aberdeen City Campus

SfW N5 EE & Childcare Wednesday Aberdeen City Campus

NPA Level 6 Exercise and Fitness Leadership Wednesday Aberdeen City Campus

SQA Units SCQF 5 Intro to Working in the Community Wednesday Aberdeen City Campus

SfW N5 Construction Crafts Friday Fraserburgh Campus

SfW N5 Health Sector Friday Fraserburgh Campus

SfW N5 Engineering Friday Fraserburgh Campus

IMI Vehicle Systems Maintenance Friday Fraserburgh Campus

NC Level 6 Mechanical Engineering Friday Fraserburgh Campus

SfW N5 Energy (Young Women into Energy) TBC Within school

School College Links Courses

• Young people can study a range of both school and College qualifications at the same time

• Choosing a School Link course will generally require pupils to attend a College Campus which may involve independent travelling.

• Young people will be well equipped for moving on to either College, University or direct to employment having developed some of the essential skills required.

School College Links Courses

• When being taught by a College lecturer young people will be treated like a College student.

• College is an adult learning environment and we expect the same adult behaviour of school pupils as we do of our full time students.

• College courses can mean missing some school classes – so additional commitment to catching up on missed work is essential

• When attending a College course we expect pupils to behave as though they are arriving at work – on time and well prepared

School College Links Courses

• College staff will report on pupil attendance, behaviour and progress to school

• A written progress report for school and parents will be prepared once a year

• All courses are certificated and support progression to further study, modern apprenticeships, training or employment.

• Courses support pupils in developing key skills identified by employers as essential for entering the workplace

Contact Us:

Any queries from pupils or parents can be answered in school by Guidance Staff or Mrs

Anderson, or please email us at:schools@nescol.ac.uk

We are also on Twitter and Facebook for regular updates!

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