Parents’ Information
Evening
Tuesday 14 January
School
Alec Morris - Head Teacher
Irene Davidson - Depute
Carol Graham - Depute
Lewis Paterson - Depute
Caroline Bannon - Curriculum Leader
Alexa Brain - Curriculum Leader
Kath Stewart - Support Leader
QI Team
Grace Vickers - Quality Improvement Manager (Secondary)
Liz Gray - Quality Improvement Officer
Also,
Rebecca Gaukroger - Head of Admissions, The University of
Edinburgh
Curriculum Rationale
Our vision is to provide a curriculum which
enables all pupils to achieve their full potential
and allows them to fulfil their aspirations within
and beyond school.
We will ensure the curriculum meets the needs
of all learners and that our pupils are able to
secure appropriate positive destinations.
Who decides curriculum?
Scottish Government
Education Scotland (LTS & HMIE)
SQA
City of Edinburgh
School Leadership Team
Views of staff, parents & pupils
Curriculum Structure
Progress
S4 - S6
Senior Phase
Broad General Education
S1 - S3
(BGE)
National
3/4/5/6/7
Curriculum
Levels 3&4
Structure of School Week
Now
Proposed
23 periods
28 periods
67 minute periods 55 minute periods
Retain 22 mins Tutor Group
Broad General Education
S1 - S3
S1/S2
15 subjects in total
Range of subjects covering all
8 CfE curricular areas PLUS 4
core activities - PE, PSE, RME
and IDL
S1 and S2
Session 14/15
Broad General Education covering all
eight CfE curricular areas
S3
Broad General Education with increased
Personalisation & Choice
10 subjects covering all 8 CfE curricular areas
English, Maths, a Science, a Social Subject and
Modern Languages are compulsory
Choose 5 other subjects across curricular areas
4 core activities - PE, PSE, RME and IDL
S2 into S3
Session 14/15
Broad General Education covering all
eight curricular areas with choice
Senior Phase
S4 - S6
S4 - S6
Pupils from three years taught as a single cohort
6 courses to be chosen in S4 (English and Maths
compulsory)
Max of 6 courses in S5/6 (5 in session 14/15 only)
College courses / employment / volunteering etc also
available
S3 into S4
Session 14/15
Currently studying eight subjects (+ core) in S3
Move to study six subjects (+ core) in S4
S4 into S5
Session 14/15
CORE
Currently studying eight subjects (+ core) in S4
Move to study five subjects (+ core) in S5
S3 into Senior Phase
Session 15/16
Will have been studying 10 subjects (+ core) in S3
Move to study six subjects (+ core) in combined Senior Phase
English and Maths are compulsory in S4
English compulsory in S5
Senior Phase
Learner Journeys
Learner Journey - 1
Jo wants to leave school at the end of S4 and train to be a
hairdresser.
In S4 Jo studies English, Maths, Hospitality, History and Art & Design
at Nat 4 level. On a Tuesday and Thursday afternoon she attends
Edinburgh College (Sighthill Campus) where she studies the National
Progression Award in Hairdressing. She also takes part in the JET
programme, spending Fridays on a work experience placement in
Cheynes.
At the end of S4 she leaves school to a Modern Apprenticeship in
Hairdressing accessing college as part of her apprenticeship.
Learner Journey - 2
Billy wants to leave school at the end of S5 and attend
College working towards a Sport & Leisure qualification.
In S4 Billy studies Nat 5 Biology and PE and Nat 4
English, Maths, Modern Studies and Computing.
In S5 Billy continues his study in Higher Biology and PE,
studies Nat 5 English and Computing whilst picking up
new Nat 4 qualifications in Hospitality and Art & Design.
He leaves school at the end of S5 to study “Fitness
Health & Exercise” at Edinburgh College.
Learner Journey - 3
Ben wants to study History at University.
In S4 Ben selects Nat 5 English, History, Geography and French. He
studies Maths and PE and Nat 4.
In S5 Ben continues his study in English, History and French to Higher
level. He studies Nat 5 Maths and PE and picks up IT Essentials.
In S6 Ben takes History onto Advanced Higher and studies Higher
Maths, Geography and PE.
He is successful in gaining entry to Stirling University to study History.
Learner Journey - 4
Laura wants to be a Vet.
In S4 Laura selects Nat 5 English, Maths, Biology, Chemistry, Physics
and French. She follows a combined Nat 5/Higher course. The class
“stop off” to sit and pass Nat 5 at the end of S4. She then goes on to
complete her study in each of the subjects in S5, gaining 6 Higher
passes by the end of S5.
In S6 she studies AH Chemistry and Biology and Higher History as well
as undertaking a placement at a local vets on a Tuesday afternoon. She
also supports a teacher in S1 Science classes gaining a Saltire Award.
Laura gains entry to the Royal School of Veterinary Studies at Edinburgh
University.
Curriculum for Excellence
and university admissions
Rebecca Gaukroger
Head of Admissions, The University of Edinburgh
14 January 2014
Curriculum for Excellence
Commitment made by Principals of Scotland’s universities and
colleges:
“…continue to be committed to fair admissions policies and that these
will allow for the equal consideration of candidates who possess the
necessary knowledge and skills base irrespective of what routes they
may have taken through the Senior Phase (S4 to S6) of Curriculum for
Excellence.”
‘Beyond the Senior Phase’, Universities Scotland, 2012
Curriculum for Excellence and university admissions
• Universities and colleges are free to set their own entry
requirements
• The first students who have followed the senior phase of Curriculum
for Excellence will apply to university for autumn 2015 entry (from
S5), or autumn 2016 entry (from S6)
• Each of Scotland’s higher education institutions has published a
statement on Curriculum for Excellence and admissions
• Will remain the case that entry to some universities and some
degree programmes is competitive, and that entry cannot be
guaranteed
• 2015 prospectuses will reflect Curriculum for Excellence.
Curriculum for Excellence and admission to Edinburgh
• Statement on Curriculum for Excellence & Admissions
www.ed.ac.uk/studying/undergraduate/applicationsadmissions/entry-requirements/cfe
• Changes
• Recognition of National 5s in place of Standard Grade Credit/Int 2s
• No advantage or disadvantage to having National 5s
• Recognition of Highers taken in S4, and removal of preference for
Highers in one sitting
• Requirement for at least 3 Highers at specified grades in S4, S5 or S6.
Curriculum for Excellence and admission to Edinburgh
• Example of minimum requirement in University of Edinburgh
prospectus for 2015 entry:
“ABBB by end of S5 or ABBBB/AABB from S4-S6”
Curriculum for Excellence and admission to Edinburgh
• National 5s – the details
• Where we require a subject at National 5, we will accept it at
National 5 or Higher
• We no longer require a language other than English for entry
(except for entry to most language degrees)
• National 5 Lifeskills Maths does not meet our Maths/Science
requirement
Contact:
Rebecca Gaukroger
Head of Admissions
Student Recruitment & Admissions
sra.enquiries@ed.ac.uk