Information for Parents March 2012

The Four Capacities:

Successful LearnersConfident IndividualsResponsible CitizensEffective Contributors

Eight Curriculum Areas:Expressive Arts Religious and Moral

Education

Health and Wellbeing Sciences

Languages and Literacy Social Studies

Mathematics and Numeracy

Technologies

Faculties at Knox:Expressive Arts: Art, Drama, MusicHealth and Wellbeing: PSD, HE, PEScience: Biology, Chem. PhysicsCommunication: Classics, English, MLSocial Studies: Bed. Geog. Hist. MSt.

RMPSNumeracy and Technologies: Maths, Comp,

Tech

Entitlements:Coherent curriculum

from 3-18Broad general education

S1-3

Senior phase

S4-6

Developing skills for learning, life and work

Achieve to the highest levels they can

Positive destination

Principles for Curriculum Design:

Challenge and enjoymentBreadthProgressionDepthPersonalisation and choiceCoherenceRelevance

Levels:Level:EarlyFirstSecondThird and

FourthSenior Phase

Stage:-Pre-school and P1-To the end of P4-To the end of P7-S1-S3-S4-S6 and college

SCQF Level: Probable year of study:Advanced Higher : 7 S6Higher 6 S5National 5 5 S4National 4 4 S3/4Access 1-3 1 -3 S1-3 The above ‘year of study’ is a guide only, pupils will be able to progress at their ‘own speed’ and level.National : 5 = Credit and 4= General Standard GradeExternal Examinations will not be undertaken until pupils study at SCQF level 5. 

Progress at Knox Academy:

• 6 Faculties in place• S1/2 Timetable in place, including

blocking• Faculties auditing and developing courses

based on Experiences and Outcomes• Numeracy: toolkit• Literacy: toolkit• Detailed planning for S3

•Assemblies: the programme provides opportunities for individuals or groups to deliver a themed assembly

•Groups: contribution from various groups: School Council, Eco-Group, S6 Leadership Team, S6 Committees, Amnesty International

•Extra-curricular Activities and June Programme

•Faculties looking at the rationales and summaries for qualifications

•Central to the School Development Plan

What happens at the end of S2 (June 2012)?

Knox Academy plans to maintain the broad curriculum, pupils will be timetabled into all 6 Faculties to ensure the breadth is maintained. 

When and how do pupils choose subjects?

In each Faculty, pupils will be given the opportunity to specialise in some subjects. For example, in the Expressive Arts Faculty, all pupils will study Art, Music and Drama, but some may wish to concentrate on Art and Music only as the year progresses. During S3 we expect many pupils to reach Level 4 in all or some of their subjects. 

What happens in S4?

At the end of S3, pupils will have the opportunity to choose the subjects they wish to specialise in and that they require for their career choice. We envisage that pupils will be able to take up to 8 subjects at Level 5, although the arrangements will be tailored to meet the needs of individual pupils.  

Course Choice:

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

Comp Comp Elective Elective Elective Elective Elective Elective Elective

English Maths Science Soc Sub Ex Art TechCom/HWB

Free Choice Free Choice

Core Core Core Core Core Core CoreOptional Optional Optional Optional Optional Optional Optional

Notes: pupils take English and Maths and up to 6 electives at level 5 or as appropriate. Pupils could take fewer, opting for optional activities. All pupils take core in one column.

Examples:

Eng Maths Biology History Drama Core French PE Geography

Eng Maths Biology Mod St Art Comp CoreChemistry Physics

Eng Maths Core Mod St Music CDT PE Optional Optional

Eng Maths BiologyGeography Core Optional French PE Classics

June 2012: S2 pupils advised and consider if they wish to opt to specialise in any subjects in each of the Faculties

August 2012: S2 pupils move into S3. and have time timetabled in each of the Faculties. All have the opportunity for a broad curriculum plus some choice

 

June 2013: All S3 pupils receive a Profile detailing their attainment and achievements in S1-3. Levels up to and including Level 4 are assessed internally by the school.

June 2013: S3 pupils choose their subjects in which to specialise in S4 (the number will be dependent on the pupil’s progress, ability and career requirements)

May 2014: S4 pupils sit the SQA diet of examinations in their chosen subjects

DON’T PANICAll the plans for Knox Academy are aimed at

improving the educational provision and experience for pupils.

We will not take risks with your child’s future, everything will be monitored closely.