“Firrhill – providing learning opportunities of the highest quality”
Welcome to
Firrhill High School
“Firrhill – providing learning opportunities of the highest quality”
Success – positive outcomes for pupils
Career Academy Winner
(UK)
Megan Thomson
“Firrhill – providing learning opportunities of the highest quality”
Positive Destinations
Category
Edinburgh
Firrhill
Overall Positive
93.1%
95.1%
Employment
25.2%
22.5%
Higher Education
40.8%
55%
Further Education
21.5%
15.7%
“Firrhill – providing learning opportunities of the highest quality”
“Firrhill – providing learning opportunities of the highest quality”
S4 Curriculum & National Qualifications
Parent Information Evening
September 2015
“Firrhill – providing learning opportunities of the highest quality”
Senior Phase & Qualifications S4-6
• The Broad General Education of S1-3.
o Content and skills.
o Interdisciplinary working.
o Recognition of achievement.
o Assessment which supports
progression into S4-6
• Transition into S4 takes account of S3.
“Firrhill – providing learning opportunities of the highest quality”
What has changed?
SCQF
Current National Qualification
level
3
Standard Grade (Foundation Level)
Access 3
Standard Grade (General level)
4
Intermediate 1
Standard Grade (Credit level)
5
6
7
Intermediate 2
Higher
Advanced Higher
Replaced
by
New National Qualifications
Available
u
National 3
2013
u
National 4
2013
u
National 5
2013
u
Higher (new)
2014
u
Advanced Higher (new)
2015
“Firrhill – providing learning opportunities of the highest quality”
Progression
S4
National 5
S5
Higher
S6
Advanced Higher
Other Higher
National 4
National 5
Higher
Other National 5
National 3
National 4
National 5
Other qualifications available as appropriate in S5/6
e.g. CSLA, Food & Drink Manufacturing Industry,
Literacy & Lifeskills, Duke of Edinburgh Awards
“Firrhill – providing learning opportunities of the highest quality”
Assessment
National 5
Units + Added Value Unit + Final Exam
Grades A – D
National 4
Units + Added Value Unit
Ungraded pass/fail
National 3
Units
Ungraded pass/fail
“Firrhill – providing learning opportunities of the highest quality”
If a pupil fails NAT 5
(1) Compensatory National 4 pass if:(a) Has passed all Units of National 5.
(b) Has passed Added value Units of National 4.
(c) With English/Maths, has passed literacy/
numeracy unit at National 4.
(2) No appeals
If a pupil has missed an exam due to special
circumstances, then alternative evidence can be
submitted
“Firrhill – providing learning opportunities of the highest quality”
Assessment in Physical Education
National 3-5
Internal Units:
1. Factors Impacting on Performance (written assessment)
2. Performance Skills (practical assessment)
Greater flexibility in approaches to assessment.
Verification procedures to maintain standards.
“Firrhill – providing learning opportunities of the highest quality”
Assessment in Physical Education
National 4
Added Value Unit (pass/fail)
Performance
•1.1
•1.2
•1.3
•1.4
•1.5
Preparing mentally, emotionally, socially or physically for the performance
Selecting and applying appropriate knowledge and skills during the performance
Following rules or guidelines or protocols and accepting decisions
Using safe practice, showing etiquette and managing emotions appropriately
Carrying out roles and responsibilities appropriately during the performance
“Firrhill – providing learning opportunities of the highest quality”
Assessment in Physical Education
National 5
Portfolio and One Off Performance
Portfolio (Written) (40%)
Section 1: ‘Understanding factors that impact on performance’
(8 marks)
Section 2: ‘Planning, developing and implementing approaches
to enhance personal performance’ (16 marks)
Section 3: ‘Monitoring, recording and evaluating performance
development’ (16 marks)
“Firrhill – providing learning opportunities of the highest quality”
Assessment in Physical Education
One Off Performance (60%)
Section 1: ‘Planning and preparation’ (Written) (10
marks)
Section 2: ‘Performance’ (Practical) (40 marks)
Section 2: ‘Evaluation’ (Written) (10 marks)
National 5 Physical Education is graded A - D
“Firrhill – providing learning opportunities of the highest quality”
Assessment in Social Subjects
National 3-5
Internal Unit Assessment
In Geography: Physical Environments
Human Environments
Global Issues
Greater flexibility in approaches to assessment.
Verification procedures to maintain standards.
“Firrhill – providing learning opportunities of the highest quality”
Assessment in Social Subjects
National 4-5
Added Value Unit
The Geography Assignment
• Choosing a topic to research
• Collecting information from a variety of
sources including fieldwork and maps
• Planning and organising the report
• Presenting findings.
“Firrhill – providing learning opportunities of the highest quality”
Assessment in Social Subjects
National 5
Added Value Unit
The Geography Assignment
• Worth 25% of the final grade
• Write up a report in 1 hour
• Can take processed information into the
assessment
• Describe research methods, explain findings
referring to processed information, reach valid
conclusions.
“Firrhill – providing learning opportunities of the highest quality”
Assessment in Social Subjects
National 5
•
•
•
•
Final exam
1 hour and 30 mins
60 marks
Selection of topics assessed from the 3 units.
Added together with the mark for the
assignment
• Course graded from A-D
“Firrhill – providing learning opportunities of the highest quality”
Pupils looking back from NAT 5
The assessment seemed a lot in S4 but: • It is much heavier in S5, even if it is only 5
subjects
• Treat S4 as a “stepping stone” to prepare
for S5.
“Firrhill – providing learning opportunities of the highest quality”
Pupils – the issues
• All subjects were throwing homework,
tests etc at you at the same time.
• Do homework as it is given to you rather
than putting it off
• Hardest thing is the number of subjects
to manage not the difficulty of the work.
• Give yourself enough time to revise
thoroughly – as you go and before tests.
“Firrhill – providing learning opportunities of the highest quality”
What are the tests?
• Added Value Units (AVUs)
• Unit Assessments
• Particularly important for Nat 4
• Prelims/final exams
There is a lot – managing time is really important.
“Firrhill – providing learning opportunities of the highest quality”
Pupils – what can help?
Parents can help: -
• Be understanding
• Try not to interfere – child’s responsibility
– Encourage them to do well
– Encourage them to meet deadlines
• If they ask for help make sure you do listen
• Not to worry, we need to relax or you make it
harder on yourself
• Ensure your son/daughter has free time as revising
24/7 could do more damage than help.
“Firrhill – providing learning opportunities of the highest quality”
Pupils – what can help?
Other sources of help: -
• Teachers – revision classes – Guidance – Support for
Learning
• “How to pass” guides, past papers, model papers
• BBC Bitesize (www.bbc.co.uk/education)
• SQA Website (www.sqa.org.uk)
“Firrhill – providing learning opportunities of the highest quality”
Pupil Support Team
Ewan Brodie
Shona Dunn
Pupil Support
Leader
Pupil Support
Leader
Jill Campbell
Clare Gilchrist
Pupil Support
Leader
Support for
Learning Leader
“Firrhill – providing learning opportunities of the highest quality”
How do I support my child?
Sources of information: • Tracking report 1: 28.9.15
• Tracking report 2: 30.11.15
• Full report: 12.2.16
• Parents’ night: 10.12.15
• Nationals in a nutshell
• (www.parentforumscotland.org)
• Commercially available revision books,
specimen papers etc.
• SQA and Education Scotland websites.