John RutterHEADTEACHER INVERNESS HIGH SCHOOL

Curriculum for Excellence

• A complete educational experience from age 3 to age 18

• Broad General Education phase lasts until the end of S3

• Senior Phase, with qualifications, runs from S4 until S6

The Broad General Education

All children and young people in Scotland have an entitlement to a curriculum which will help them develop:

• high levels of literacy, numeracy and thinking skills• skills for learning, skills for life and skills for work• an understanding of society, the world and Scotland's place in it• well-informed views to help them act responsibly• an active and healthy lifestyle.

The time from pre-school to the end of S3 provides each young person in Scotland with this broad general education.

Curriculum Areas

• language (and literacy)• mathematics (and numeracy)• religious and moral education• health and wellbeing• expressive arts• technologies• sciences• social studies

The Scottish Government says that …

… within the Broad General Education, all pupils are entitled to all level 3 experiences, and some Level 4 experiences before the end of S3

So, for instance,

Experiences in the expressive arts will allow pupils to develop their creative talents

Experiences in modern languages will allow pupils to develop high level of skills in listening, talking, reading and writing which are essential for learning, work and life

Experiences in sciences will allow pupils to develop skills of scientific inquiry and investigation using practical techniques

What does this mean at Inverness High School?

• A broad and balanced curriculum, covering all curriculum areas

• Increased opportunities to study some areas in greater depth

• Pupils following their own interests (while keeping an eye on what happens next)

Information issued to pupils:

02 February

All pupils interviewed by

Guidance teachers:

beginning 02 February

Parents' information

evening:26 January

S2 tracking reports:

Early February

Course choice sheets handed

in:13 February

Four important things to think about

• Am I any good at the subject – is success likely in S3 and beyond?

• Do I enjoy the subject?

• Will it be useful for me in getting a job or going on to further education or training?

• Do my teachers (and guidance) think it will be good for me?

Four important things NOT to think about

• My friends are all doing this subject

• None of my friends are doing this subject

• I don’t like my current teacher

• I’ll do this one because I can’t think of anything else to do

Choices need to be made by 13 FebruaryThere is help available:

• Notes on subjects available from departments

• Discussions with subject teachers

• Discussions with guidance teachers

• Advice from senior management – please phone or email

• Plenty of websites such as:

Any questions ... ?