Calderglen High School S4/S5

OPTIONS INFORMATION

JANUARY 2014

Working Together to Inspire Learning and Shape the Future

S4…….Where are we now?

Michael Brady/Jacquie Bradley-Heeps S4 DHTs

  Our Formal Exam Experience diet is well underway The objective is to give pupils a realistic experience of exam procedures  The results of these will inform the Parental Reports – due out early March 

Parents evening 5 th

March – enable discussion with teachers about pupils’ progress

S4……What next?

    Presentation levels – National 4/5 will be finalised This will include: Pupils, Parents, Pupil Support Final exam in May for National 5 pupils No formal exam for National 4 pupils  Findings …… All of this information will inform provisional option choices – this process will begin March 11

th

.

S4 PSHE/CAREERS     Pupils will work alongside PSHE teachers in preparation for the Options process - as in previous years.

This time, pupils will move from 7 to 5 subjects Specific curricular information will be provided by class teachers to inform Options This will determine the route each individual pupil takes

S4 CAREERS SUPPORT   Unlike previous years, pupils now have transitional choices to make: Speak to Pupil Support Manager Maureen McMullen, Skills Development Scotland    Information on school website Email Maureen - appointment Dialogue to ensure choices are appropriate and young people take the correct path for them

Leaving School

POST-COMPULSORY EDUCATION: Pupils whose birthdays fall between:

1st March 1996 – 30 th September 1996

Are eligible to leave school in June 2014 Pupils whose birthdays fall between:

1 st October 1996 – 28 th February 1997

Are eligible to leave school Christmas S5

Working Together to Inspire Learning and Shape the Future

Skills Development Scotland (SDS)

 Website

www.skillsdevelopmentscotland.co.uk

for advice for parents to help support your child.

 Helpline - 0845 8 502502 (local call rate)  Skills Development Scotland in Schools and CS Centres

Working Together to Inspire Learning and Shape the Future

Happy to help…..

If you have any questions about S4, please contact us: Michael Brady: [email protected]

Jacquie Bradley-Heeps: [email protected]

Options Programme Timeline

          Monitoring report Options information In school exams end Full report Consultation evening Prov. options interviews SQA exams Prov. S5 Timetable SQA results Options finalised early November 28 th January 31 st 4 th January March 5 th 10 th March – 21 st 29 th April early June March early August mid August

Working Together to Inspire Learning and Shape the Future

New Qualifications

REPLACING  National 3  National 4  National 5  Higher (CfE) Access 3 and Foundation Intermediate 1 and General Intermediate 2 and Credit Higher (Trad)  Advanced Higher(CfE) Advanced Higher (Trad)

Working Together to Inspire Learning and Shape the Future

It’s All About Progression

   

Building on prior knowledge and skills gained is vital to pupil progression

.

--- AND SO -- Narrowing of subjects from 8 in S3 to 7 in S4 to 5 in S5.

Picking ‘new’ subjects in S5 is discouraged, although in some cases, a related subject may be acceptable.

--- BUT -- Constraints of exam results, career aspirations, class sizes, class viability may have an impact on this.

Working Together to Inspire Learning and Shape the Future

Progression and your child

At the end of S4, your son/daughter will have 7 qualifications at Nat 3, Nat 4 or Nat 5.

-- Ideally, they should choose 5 of those subjects to progress in S5.

Working Together to Inspire Learning and Shape the Future

New Progression Routes

Attained in S4

National 3 National 4 National 5 Higher National 4

Progression in S5

National 5 OR Nat 4 in related subject Higher OR Nat 5 in related subject Advanced Higher OR Higher in related subject

Working Together to Inspire Learning and Shape the Future

S4 Results Really Matter

 Will a pupil scraping a ‘C’ pass at Nat 5 in S4 find Higher in S5 too  challenging?

I don’t know!

 Pupils in that position will be advised on their most appropriate S5 course by subject specialists.

 S4 exam results will really matter!

Working Together to Inspire Learning and Shape the Future

Options Process

        Provisional Option Form issued 4 th March.

Options booklet available on website 4 th March.

Family discussion taking heed of Reports advice and Consultation Evening conversations.

Choose 1 subject in each of Columns A to E.

Choice ratified/moderated at Options interview.

Provisional timetable begins in June.

SQA results in early August.

Provisional choice confirmed/amended in light of SQA results/career aspirations/class viability/class size.

Working Together to Inspire Learning and Shape the Future

S5 Workload

 5 subjects = 15 units all internally assessed +  5 Prelim exams +  5 SQA external exams

Working Together to Inspire Learning and Shape the Future

Warning for the Future Obstacles to Progress

      Insufficient hours dedicated to home study Irregular attendance (90%) / lack of punctuality Reluctance to attend supported study Misjudging the jump from S4 Part time work Time spent on X-Box/Facebook

Working Together to Inspire Learning and Shape the Future

Supporting Learners

 School supported study at lunchtimes or after school.

 Subjects and levels to suit pupil needs.  School website with subject details and revision.

 S6 study buddies in Library.

 Resources on shared area & Scholar.

 Subject specific study packs.

 Study Advice evening in September.

Working Together to Inspire Learning and Shape the Future

EMA

This year’s information for example  A weekly payment of £30  Born between 1 st March 1992 and 28 th February 1996  Household income is below £20,351 for 1 dependent or £22,403 with 2 or more dependents  Form from school office - post to address on form!

Working Together to Inspire Learning and Shape the Future

Thanks



Thank you for attending this evening.



Thank you for listening.



I hope you have found this evening informative.

Working Together to Inspire Learning and Shape the Future