Transcript Three Important Criteria

S2 Course Choice
Information Evening
Tuesday 24 February 2015
Welcome
Four Capacities
• successful learners
• confident individuals
• responsible citizens
• effective contributors
(with particular focus on developing attributes and
capabilities for each capacity)
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
Four Contexts for Learning
Planned learning experience from 3 – 18:
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curriculum areas and subjects
interdisciplinary learning
ethos and life of the school
opportunities for personal achievement
Broad General Education
Curriculum Levels
• Early – pre-school to P1
• First – P2 until end of P4
• Second – P5 until end of P7
• Third and Fourth – S1 to S3
(NB Fourth Level aligns with National 4 qualifications)
S3 Learning Experience
• The final year of the Broad General
Education
• Broad and balanced curriculum, covering
all curriculum areas
• Emphasis on Level 4 experiences and
outcomes
S3 Learning Experience cont.
• Increased opportunities to study some
areas in greater depth, following interests
• Reflective learning conversations with
teachers
• Pupils more involved in shaping their own
learning, identifying strengths and next
steps
S3 Learning Experience cont.
• Extension of prior learning; applying
learning in new contexts – building skills for
learning needed in Senior Phase
• Developing skills for learning, life and work
• Developing attributes of 4 capacities
Curriculum Areas
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language (and literacy)
mathematics (and numeracy)
religious and moral education
health and wellbeing
expressive arts
technologies
sciences
social studies
What will my child study in S3?
• A series of core subjects:
English - 4 periods
mathematics - 3 periods
PE - 2 periods
RME - 1 period
PSE - 1 period
• This leaves 16 periods per week for the study of
pupils’ other chosen subjects
The remaining sixteen periods
• Pupil personalisation and choice
• Follow a further 8 subjects for 2 periods per
week each
• Choose at least one subject from 5 of the
curriculum areas, plus 3 more subjects
• The aim is for an interesting, varied and
balanced group of subjects
Making Decisions for S3
• Am I making good progress in the subject
– is success likely in S3 and beyond?
• Do I enjoy the subject?
• Will it be of value to me in my possible
career paths?
• What do my teachers say?
Options Calendar
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Parents’ consultation evenings held in January
Choice booklet issued at assembly on 18 February
Discussion with subject teachers until 20 March
Individual interview with guidance teacher by
Friday 20 March
• All choice sheets to be returned by Tuesday 24
March
Assigning Courses
• Our aim is to offer first choice to all pupils
(and we nearly always do so)
BUT:
• Classes need to be viable
• Staff numbers are also a consideration
NB Parents and pupils will be kept fully informed
if any issues arise with choices
Monitoring of Progress
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Target setting – next steps
Reflective learning conversations with teachers
Pupil profile
Monitoring and tracking
Reports
Parents’ Evenings
Regular tracking with key adult
Crucial role of parents
The Senior Phase
• Senior Phase covers S4 to S6
• All pupils will leave with a portfolio of
qualifications at their exit point from school,
whether that be at the end of S4, S5 or S6
• We aim for all learners to achieve the most they
can at the highest level they can, and will provide
various pathways to enable them to do so
Progression through Senior Phase
June 2016 – May 2019
• Pupils will study six, five or four courses each year
depending on stage/ability
• Courses are offered at following levels:
• National 3, National 4, National 5
• Higher
• Advanced Higher
• Vocational
• National Progression Awards and equivalent
Progression through Senior Phase
S4
S5
S6
National 3
National 4
National 5
National 4
National 5
Higher
National 5
Higher
Advanced
Higher
Current Qualifications
Replaced
by
New Qualifications
(Revised)
(Revised)
National 3
National 2
National 1
National Qualifications
• National 3 – not graded, no examination. Pass/fail, based
on units. Internally assessed.
• National 4 – not graded, no examination. Pass/fail, based
on units; also has added value unit. Internally assessed.
• National 5 – graded A – D. In most subjects, includes
internally-assessed units + an external assessment (usually
an exam).
Wider Opportunities in
Senior Phase
• Volunteering in school or community
• Supporting younger pupils, e.g. as peer
mentor, paired reader, in-class supporter
• Committees
• Pupil, House and Senior Councils
• Extra-curricular activities
Progression beyond school
exit point = positive destination
• Employment
• Apprenticeship
• College
• University
Sources of Information
• Education Scotland Parentzone
• National Parent Forum of Scotland – including
Nationals in a Nutshell
• SQA
• Skills Development Scotland – My World of Work
• School
• Your child!