Transcript S4: Curriculum for Excellence

Parents as Partners
S Nicolson, HT
SAME
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Expectations
Aspirations
 Progression/careers planning
 Target setting
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Ethos
Learning and teaching
Shared responsibility
 Pupil/parent/school
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Support and challenge
Study and work rate
Subject content (more or less)
Qualifications levels
DIFFERENT
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Qualifications structure
Curriculum organisation
Qualifications requirements
Presentation levels
 ‘fall back’ position
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Assessment arrangements
 Prelims
 Study Leave
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Report Format
Certification process
Skills/ wider achievement
Operational timeline
Progression pathways
Previous generation
SCQF
of qualifications
New generation of
qualifications
12
Doctorate
Doctorate
11
Masters
Masters
10
Honours Degree
Honours Degree
9
Ordinary Degree
Ordinary Degree
8
Higher National Diploma
Higher National Diploma
7
Advanced Higher
Advanced Higher
6
Higher
Higher
5
SG: Credit bands 1/2
Intermediate 2
National 5
4
SG: General bands 3/4
Intermediate 1
National 4
3
SG:Foundation bands 5/6
Access 3
National 3
2
Access 2
National 2
1
Access 1
National 1
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Up to 7 subjects: SQA certification
Literacy and numeracy certification
Core entitlement
 PE (2), PSE (1), RE (1)
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Extra-curricular activities
Trips/excursions/visits
School events
Work experience
3 Units:
• Internally Assessed
• SQA Verified
Unit 1
Added Value Unit:
• N4:
AVU
Unit 2
• N5:
Unit 3
Internally Assessed
PASS/FAIL
Externally Assessed
SQA Exam
A/B/C/D/No Award
Most S4 pupils will aim towards N5 unless there is clear
evidence that they are unlikely to reach this level.
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Evidence:
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S3:
 Prior attainment – S3
 Core work on 4th level
 Classwork/ Homework
E/Os (N4 level)
 Differentiated to meet
pupils’ needs
 Designed to lead into S4
courses
 Coursework
 N4 AVU
 N5 Unit assessments
 November assessments
N4
Unit 2
N4
Unit 1
N5
Unit 1
N4
AVU
N5
EXAM
N5
Unit 1
N4
Unit 3
National 4
Pass
N5
Unit 2
N4
AVU
N5
Unit 2
N5
Unit 3
National 4
Pass
N5
Unit 3
National 5
A/B/C/D/
No Award
S4 ASSESSMENT: NOV/DEC
SQA DIET: MAY
No attendance exemption
period
 N5 Prelims/Assessments
 N4 AVU
OR N4 Unit assessment
OR N4 Coursework task
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Exemption from attendance
during the exam period
 Staff available:
consultation/support
 ‘Opt-in’ Provision made for
those sitting no/few exams
 Structured independent
research
 Skills development for N5
 Extended work experience
 Preparation for work
 Improved articulation with
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‘Higher’
Increased challenge for most able
Opportunity for recognition
beyond ‘Credit 1’
Literacy /Numeracy recognised as
different to English /Mathematics
Variety of ways to demonstrate
learning
‘Skills’ as well as ‘knowledge’
 Reduced exam burden: only 1
‘exam’ level
▪ Reduced stress/anxiety
▪ More focussed exam
preparation
▪ N4 “Safety net”
▪ Calculated risks more
viable for some potential
N5 candidates
▪ Protection for vulnerable
learners
Literacy
Numeracy
Creating
Health and
Wellbeing
Life
Enterprise
Evaluating
Analysing
Applying
Communication
Understanding
Work
Remembering
Working with others
Solving problems
Creative thinking
Managing, planning and organising time
Personal responsibility
Learning
TECHNICAL ISSUES
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Operational timeline
ADAPTIVE CHALLENGES
 Presentation levels
No ‘automatic’ fallback
position
 Communication with parents
 Potential delay in certification
 Assessment periods/ ‘Study
 Literacy/Numeracy bridging
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leave’
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Target setting and tracking
Lack of historical data
External anxieties:
impact on pupils
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Progression for those who
 fail at N5
 pass N5 at “C”
Month
Activity
January – April •Acquisition of knowledge/skills in preparation for new courses
•Options choices
S3
•S3 assessments
•Start new courses
May - June
•N4 AVUs
•Coursework
August Initial Recommendations
•Target Setting Evening
September
September November
•Coursework
•Unit Assessments
November/
December
•Assessment Diet
•Work Experience
January
•Coursework
•Reports to parents
Recommendations
Recommendations
Month
January March
Activity
•Completion of coursework
•Completion of Unit assessments
•Final N4 AVUs
March
•(S5 Options)
March - April •Exam Preparation
May-June
August
??
•SQA Exam Diet
•Mop-up N4 AVUs
•Start S5 courses
•Results/ certificates out
•Submit N4 AVUs for ‘fallback’ N4s
•Final certificates
Final
recommendations
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From the floor
Individually
In writing (responses collated for FAQ paper)
This presentation will be available on our website:
www.strathaven.s-lanark.sch.uk