Calderglen High School
S4/S5 OPTIONS INFORMATION
JANUARY 2014
Working Together to Inspire Learning and Shape the Future
S4…….Where are we now?
Michael Brady/Jacquie Bradley-Heeps S4 DHTs
 Our Formal Exam Experience diet is well underway
 The objective is to give pupils a realistic experience of
exam procedures
 The results of these will inform the Parental Reports
– due out early March
 Parents evening 5th March – enable discussion with
teachers about pupils’ progress
S4……What next?
 Presentation levels – National 4/5 will be finalised
 This will include: Pupils, Parents, Pupil Support
 Final exam in May for National 5 pupils
 No formal exam for National 4 pupils
 Findings ……
All of this information will inform provisional option
choices – this process will begin March 11th.
S4 PSHE/CAREERS
 Pupils will work alongside PSHE teachers in
preparation for the Options process - as in
previous years.
 This time, pupils will move from 7 to 5 subjects
 Specific curricular information will be provided by
class teachers to inform Options
 This will determine the route each individual pupil
takes
S4 CAREERS SUPPORT
 Unlike previous years, pupils now have transitional
choices to make:
 Speak to Pupil Support Manager
Maureen McMullen, Skills Development Scotland
 Information on school website
 Email Maureen - appointment
 Dialogue to ensure choices are appropriate and
young people take the correct path for them
Leaving School
POST-COMPULSORY EDUCATION:
Pupils whose birthdays fall between:
1st March 1996 – 30th September 1996
Are eligible to leave school in June 2014
Pupils whose birthdays fall between:
1st October 1996 – 28th February 1997
Are eligible to leave school Christmas S5
Working Together to Inspire Learning and Shape the Future
Skills Development Scotland (SDS)
 Website www.skillsdevelopmentscotland.co.uk
for advice for parents to help support your child.
 Helpline - 0845 8 502502 (local call rate)
 Skills Development Scotland in
Schools and CS Centres
Working Together to Inspire Learning and Shape the Future
Happy to help…..
If you have any questions about S4, please contact us:
Michael Brady:
mbrady@calderglen.s-lanark.sch.uk
Jacquie Bradley-Heeps:
jbradley-heeps@calderglen.s-lanark.sch.uk
Options Programme Timeline










Monitoring report
Options information
In school exams end
Full report
Consultation evening
Prov. options interviews
SQA exams
Prov. S5 Timetable
SQA results
Options finalised
early November
28th January
31st January
4th March
5th March
10th – 21st March
29th April
early June
early August
mid August
Working Together to Inspire Learning and Shape the Future
New Qualifications
REPLACING
 National 3
Access 3 and Foundation
 National 4
Intermediate 1 and General
 National 5
Intermediate 2 and Credit
 Higher (CfE)
Higher (Trad)
 Advanced Higher(CfE) Advanced Higher (Trad)
Working Together to Inspire Learning and Shape the Future
It’s All About Progression
 Building on prior knowledge and
skills gained is vital to pupil
progression.
--- AND SO -- Narrowing of subjects from 8 in S3 to 7 in S4
to 5 in S5.
 Picking ‘new’ subjects in S5 is discouraged, although in
some cases, a related subject may be acceptable.
--- BUT -- Constraints of exam results, career aspirations, class
sizes, class viability may have an impact on this.
Working Together to Inspire Learning and Shape the Future
Progression and your child
At the end of S4, your son/daughter
will have 7 qualifications at Nat 3, Nat 4
or Nat 5.
--Ideally, they should choose 5 of those
subjects to progress in S5.
Working Together to Inspire Learning and Shape the Future
New Progression Routes
Attained in S4
Progression in S5
National 3
National 4
National 4
National 5
National 5
Higher
OR Nat 5 in related subject
Higher
Advanced Higher
OR Higher in related subject
OR Nat 4 in related subject
Working Together to Inspire Learning and Shape the Future
S4 Results Really Matter
 Will a pupil scraping a ‘C’ pass at
Nat 5 in S4 find Higher in S5 too
challenging?
 I don’t know!
 Pupils in that position will be
advised on their most appropriate
S5 course by subject specialists.
 S4 exam results will really matter!
Working Together to Inspire Learning and Shape the Future
Options Process
 Provisional Option Form issued 4th March.
 Options booklet available on website 4th March.
 Family discussion taking heed of Reports advice and





Consultation Evening conversations.
Choose 1 subject in each of Columns A to E.
Choice ratified/moderated at Options interview.
Provisional timetable begins in June.
SQA results in early August.
Provisional choice confirmed/amended in light of
SQA results/career aspirations/class viability/class
size.
Working Together to Inspire Learning and Shape the Future
S5 Workload
 5 subjects = 15 units all
internally assessed
+
 5 Prelim exams
+
 5 SQA external exams
Working Together to Inspire Learning and Shape the Future
Warning for the Future Obstacles to Progress

Insufficient hours dedicated to home study

Irregular attendance (90%) / lack of punctuality

Reluctance to attend supported study

Misjudging the jump from S4

Part time work

Time spent on X-Box/Facebook
Working Together to Inspire Learning and Shape the Future
Supporting Learners
 School supported study at lunchtimes or after school.
 Subjects and levels to suit pupil needs.
 School website with subject details and revision.
 S6 study buddies in Library.
 Resources on shared area & Scholar.
 Subject specific study packs.
 Study Advice evening in September.
Working Together to Inspire Learning and Shape the Future
EMA
This year’s information for example
 A weekly payment of £30
 Born between 1st March 1992 and 28th February 1996
 Household income is below £20,351 for 1 dependent
or £22,403 with 2 or more dependents
 Form from school office - post to address on form!
Working Together to Inspire Learning and Shape the Future
Thanks
 Thank you for attending this evening.
 Thank you for listening.
 I hope you have found this evening
informative.
Working Together to Inspire Learning and Shape the Future