Achievement Pathway: Alison
Alison achieved exceptionally well in her BGE achieving fourth level across the curriculum. She was able to apply her
learning well to increasingly complex work by the end of S3. Her S3 profile highlighted her intention to study medicine.
Alison, in consultation with her parents and teaching staff, planned very carefully her pathway through the senior phase to
ensure that she was in a position to achieve the requisite five Highers at one sitting.
She was successfully interviewed for a voluntary post at her local hospice and worked there after school twice a week
throughout her senior phase. As a musician, she recognised the positive impact of music on staff and patients and
discussed with hospice staff and school staff how she might use her talents in this area for the benefit of staff and
patients.
Building on her areas of specialism in her BGE, in S4 Alison undertook two-year programmes of study in English, maths,
biology, chemistry and French at N5/higher level, and a one-year programme of study in history at N5. She also continued
programmes of learning in PE, RE and HWB, and benefited from opportunities for universal support throughout her senior
phase.
Although Alison had started on higher level work before the end of S4, she decided, in consultation with the school and
her parents, to take the N5 course assessment in English at the end of S4. This helped build her confidence in English
where she had to work hardest to achieve at the highest level she could as it is a requirement for the majority of medical
schools: she achieved A grade passes in English and N5 history.
In S5, Alison continued with higher programmes of learning in English, maths, biology, chemistry and French planning to
return to history in S6. As predicted, Alison achieved top grades securing A grade passes across the board. In addition to
her formal studies in S4 and S5, Alison further developed her leadership and community involvement by managing a
small team made up of her peers and a music teacher to produce a CD of instrumental music that they then decided could
be sold to raise funds for the hospice.
In S6, Alison was keen to further her science studies in preparation for her University course selecting AH biology and AH
chemistry as this would enable her to complete the science Baccalaureate. She also picked up Higher physics. Her idea
for an IDL project, for the science Baccalaureate, and production of the instrumental music CD, both followed on from
interesting and on-going discussions with staff at the hospice about the positive effects of relaxation techniques on
patients. Alison’s IDL project considered ‘Does a positive approach towards illness and disease improve outcomes?’
She decided to continue her learning in history to higher level, as she was advised this would help develop her analysing,
research and critical evaluating skills for university. Alison continued to volunteer at the hospice and in addition to her
evening work supported their work at the weekend as well. She gained accreditation for her leadership and community
involvement achieving a Saltire Award and NQ in Leadership.
Alison successfully secured a place at University to study medicine.
.
S
4
N5/Higher
N5/Higher
N5/Higher
N5/Higher
N5/Higher
N5
English
maths
biology
chemistry
French
history
S
5
S
6
PE
RE
AH
AH
Higher
biology
chemistry
history
Science Baccalaureate
HWB
NQ
Leadership
SCQF 5
NQ
Leadership
SCQF 6
Saltire Award
200 hours
volunteering