Curriculum Evening
Mearns Academy
S3 into S4
Tonight’s Meeting
• To outline key tasks and conversations which
help create the timetable and the curriculum
• To confirm that support given from teachers
and importantly Guidance Teachers
• To support parents in supporting your child
• To confirm that we understand this is a
difficult and sensitive time making realistic
choices.
• To ask any questions.
Current S3 Timeline
• Jan/Feb
•
•
•
•
•
Tracking Window and Reports with recommendations written.
Parents Evening to discuss progress and pupil potential
Course Choice Booklet available on School Website.
Maths and English + 4 free choices, in priority order & 1 reserve.
Input from Guidance Teachers.
• Feb/March
• 6 columns created to best fit pupil choices and staff capacity.
• Pupils choose Maths, English and one subject from remaining 4
columns.
• Guidance offer significant support and liaise with parents
• March/April
• Timetable completed and classes assigned
Mearns Academy Curriculum Structure 2014
S4 Courses Mearns Academy 2015
National 4/5
Administration & IT
Art & Design
Biology
Business Management
Chemistry
Dance
Drama
English
French
Geography
Graphic Communication
History
Hospitality Nat 4
Mathematics
Modern Studies
Music
PE
Physics
Practical Woodworking
Design and Manufacturing
RMPS
What S4 choices might look like
What am I interested in?
What am I good at?
What would be best to study for my future plans?
What will I work at best?
What do my teachers recommend?
What does my parent/carer say?
What can I do to keep my options open?
When choices are made
• All pupils in S4 can start a course at the
appropriate level – Nat 3, Nat 4 or Nat 5
• Build on their skills from S3 and work hard to be
presented at the highest level.
• Maths and English supports Numeracy and
Literacy > Opens up Curriculum and Learning
• Use your Value-Added to complete homework
and consolidate classwork
• Engage with PE, healthy body, healthy brain
Staying on Track
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Guidance Teacher there for Support.
PSE – Study Skills, Health, Employability
Value Added – Hmwk, UASPs, Breathing Space
Three Tracking Windows and Grade Reports
Show My Homework, Parent Letters.
National Parent Forum of Scotland (Nationals in a Nutshell)
SQA Website
UASPs offer progression
Class Teachers
Positive Destinations
S3 Course Choice
Guidance Input
Guidance Staff Input
• PSE
• Knowledge of the pupils – through
discussion and teacher feedback
• Knowledge of their strengths and any
areas for improvement
• My World of Work
• S3 Report issued 5/2/15 – with
recommendation of level of study from
staff
• S3 Parents Evening – Tuesday 10/2/15
Other Agencies
• Skills Development Scotland
• Jobs & careers advice - apprenticeships,
learning, training - | | My World of Work
• School Learners - SQA
• Careers Library
• Careers Adviser appointments available
for pupils through Guidance
Don’t Panic!
Think about the questions below and it should
become a lot easier:
• What subjects do I enjoy most?
• What subjects am I good at?
• What are my skills and interests?
• What do I like doing outside school?
• Career aspirations?
• Choose subject (s) because you want to and not
because your friends choose it
• Don’t choose a subject because you like the
teacher
• Where can I get advice?
Curriculum Evening
Mearns Academy
S4 into S5
S5 into S6
Tonight’s Meeting
• To outline key tasks and conversations which
help create the timetable and the curriculum
• To confirm that support given from teachers
and importantly Guidance Teachers
• To support parents in supporting your child
• To confirm that we understand this is a
difficult and sensitive time making realistic
choices.
• To ask any questions.
Current S4 Timeline
• Jan/Feb
• 2nd Assessment Window Supports dialogue with teachers
regarding Target Grades and S5 Aspirations.
• 5 free choices, in priority order and one reserve.
• Input from Guidance Teachers.
• Feb/March
• 5 (+1 core) columns created to best fit pupil choices and staff
capacity.
• Pupils will choose one subject from each of the columns.
• Important to be realistic about levels of study.
• Guidance offer significant support and liaise with parents
• March/April
• Timetable completed and classes assigned
Current S5 Timeline
• Jan/Feb
• 2nd Assessment Window Supports dialogue with teachers
regarding Target Grades and S5 Aspirations.
• Minimum of 4 free choices, in priority order and one reserve.
• Input from Guidance Teachers.
• Feb/March
• 5 (+1 core) columns created to best fit pupil choices.
• “Full-Time Education” - pupils will choose one subject from
any 4 columns. Impacts on EMA
• Advanced Highers will be discussed in more detail.
• Guidance offer significant support and liaise with parents
• March/April
• Timetable completed and classes assigned
Mearns Academy Curriculum Structure 2014
Mearns Academy Curriculum Structure 2014
National 5
Administration & IT
Art & Design
Biology
Business Management
Dance
Drama
English
French
Geography
Graphic
Communication
History
Hospitality
Mathematics
Modern Studies
Music
PE
Practical
Woodworking
Design and
Manufacturing
RMPS
Sports Leadership
Higher
Administration & IT
Art & Design
Biology
Business
Management
Chemistry
Drama
English
French
Geography
Graphic
Communication
History
Mathematics
Modern Studies
Music
PE
*Psychology
(Dundee and Angus
College)
Physics
Design and
Manufacturing
RMPS
Spanish
Advanced Higher
Art & Design
Biology
Chemistry
English
French
Geography
Graphic Communication
History
Mathematics
Modern Studies
Music
Physics
*Any student
considering AH study
must discuss
arrangements with
Faculty Heads*
What S5 choices might look like
Column A
Column B
S5/6 S4 Totals
Column C
S5/6 S4 Totals
Column D
S5/6 S4 Totals
Column E
S5/6 S4 Totals
S5/6 S4 Totals
Admin
H
24
0
24 Art
H
13
0
13 English
H
29
0
29 English
H
28
0
28 Business
H
21
0
21
Biology
H
14
0
14 Chemistry
H
18
0
18 English
5
15
0
15 English
5
27
0
27 French
H
11
0
11
Biology
H
12
0
12 Product
H
17
0
17 Maths
5
26
0
26 Maths
H
22
0
22 History
H
28
0
28
Computing
H
11
0
11 Drama
H
12
0
12 Maths
H
18
0
18
PE
H
30
0
30
Geography
H
12
0
12 Hospitality
5
6
0
6 Sports
5
19
0
19
Physics
H
20
0
20
Graphic
H
15
0
15 Mods
H
29
0
RE
H
24
0
24
Graphic
H
14
0
14
Music
H
10
0
10
29
What am I interested in?
What am I good at?
What are my future study plans, including S6 plans?
What will I work at best?
What do my teachers recommend?
What does my parent/carer say?
What can I do to keep my options open?
When choices are made
• Nearly all pupils in S5 will start a course at the
appropriate level – Nat 5 or Higher
• Build on their skills from S4 and work hard to
ensure progression.
• Pre-requisite Qualifications.
• Maths and English not compulsory but core
subjects which supports Numeracy and Literacy
> Opens up Curriculum and Learning
• Use your Study Periods to complete homework
and consolidate classwork
• Engage with PE, healthy body, healthy brain
Staying on Track
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Guidance Teacher there for Support.
PSE – Study Skills, Health, Employability
Study Periods – Hmwk, UASPs, Breathing Space
Three Tracking Windows and Grade Reports
Show My Homework, Parent Letters.
National Parent Forum of Scotland (Nationals in a Nutshell)
SQA Website
UASPs offer progression
Class Teachers
Positive Destinations
S4 Course Choice
Guidance Input
Guidance Staff Input
• PSE
• Knowledge of the pupils – through
discussion and teacher feedback
• Knowledge of their strengths and any
areas for improvement
• My World of Work
• S5/6 Assessment Window and Interim
Grade Report.
Other Agencies
• Skills Development Scotland
• Careers Library
• Careers Adviser appointments available
for pupils through Guidance
Don’t Panic!
Think about the questions below and it should
become a lot easier:
• What subjects do I enjoy most?
• What subjects am I good at?
• What are my skills and interests?
• What do I like doing outside school?
• Career aspirations?
• Choose subject (s) because you want to and not
because your friends choose it
• Don’t choose a subject because you like the
teacher
• Where can I get advice?