Curriculum for Excellence
S3 into S4 & S4 / 5 into S5 / 6 Information Evening
Wednesday 13 January, 2016
Summary of the
curriculum structure
The secondary curriculum is in two stages:
S1 – S3
Broad General Education
S4 – S6
Senior Phase
Stage 1 – The Broad General Education
What happens in the Broad General Education?
Through S1 and S2, pupils have experienced learning across a broad curriculum
covering Languages, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, Religious & Moral
Education, Expressive Arts, Health & Well being and Technology.
Languages
English
Modern
Languages
Maths
Science
Social
Studies
& RME
Expressive Arts
Art
Drama
Music
Health & Wellbeing
PSE
HE
PE
Technology
ICT
Technical
Personalisation and Choice - S3
To smooth the transition into the Senior Phase, S2 pupils chose
subject disciplines from each curriculum area for S3.
This continued the development of a broad curriculum and,
importantly, responded to their academic strengths and interests.
This curriculum personalisation allowed learners the opportunity to
study subjects in greater depth at both third and fourth level and
provides a strong platform for further study and engagement with
National Qualifications from S4 onwards.
Languages
Maths
Science
Social Studies
Expressive
Arts
Technology
Business Administration
Computing Science
English
French
German
Biology
Chemistry
Physics
Geography
History
Modern Studies
Social Subjects
Art
Drama
Music
PE
H&WB Core
PE
PSE
Home Economics
Engineering Science
Graphic Communication
Woodwork
RME
RME
Free
Choice
Option
Four
Option
Five
Option
Six
N3 – N5
N3 – N5
N3 – N5
N3 – N5
N3 – N5
N3 – N5
Elective
Elective
Option
Three
PE
Option
Two
RMPS
Option
One
Elective
Option 5
Higher
(Adv)
Elective
Option 4
Higher
(Adv)
Elective
Option 3
Higher
(Adv)
Elective
Option 2
Higher
(Adv)
PSE
S4
S5
S6
Option 1
Higher
(Adv)
PSE
Stage 2 – What Happens in the Senior Phase
Pupils will work towards SQA and other qualifications.
There is a combined S4-S6 Senior Phase subject choice process.
In S4 all students will do English and Maths or Lifeskills Maths at the appropriate level.
Students will also follow PSE, PE and RMPS as this is a national requirement.
In S4, including English and Maths, most students will follow six SQA courses.
Pupils will also be asked to choose one 2 period elective from a Wider Achievement list.
In S5 and S6 students will follow up to five or six SQA courses depending on the level of
study. Each Higher course will be allocated 5 periods. All S5 and S6 students will follow a
course in PSE and in addition will choose electives from the Wider Achievements list.
CfE National Qualifications
What has changed?
The table shows the previous qualifications and what they have
been replaced with in the Curriculum for Excellence qualifications.
How do the CfE qualifications work?
• National 1 Units
These are assessed as a pass or fail by the teacher.
• National 2 & National 3 Courses
These are made up of Units.
They are assessed as a pass or fail by the teacher.
Learners need to pass all Units to achieve the full qualification.
National 4 Courses
These are made up of Units, including an Added Value Unit that
assesses learners’ overall performance across the course.
They are assessed as a pass or fail by the teacher.
Learners need to pass all Units, including the Added Value Unit,
to achieve the qualification.
National 5, Higher & Advanced Higher Courses
These are made up of units and a course assessment.
They are graded A to D or ‘no award’.
They involve an SQA question paper (exam) or coursework
(assignments, practical activities), or both,
most of which the teacher will mark and the SQA may check.
http://www.educationscotland.gov.uk/parentzone/index.asp
http://www.npfs.org.uk/nationals-in-a-nutshell/
http://www.npfs.org.uk/highers-in-a-nutshell/
S4
English
S5
Amy’s journey
Maths
Biology
Chemistry
History
P.E.
(Nat 5)
(Nat 5)
(Nat 5)
(Nat 5)
(Nat 5)
(Nat 5)
English
Maths
Biology
Chemistry
History
(Higher)
(Higher)
(Higher)
(Higher)
(Higher)
Duke of Edinburgh
First Aid
S6
Duke of Edinburgh
Biology
Chemistry
(Adv
Higher)
(Adv
Higher)
First Aid
Community/Voluntary work
School Enterprise Group
Physics
(Higher)
Duke of Edinburgh
First Aid
Voluntary work
Ashley’s journey
S4
S5
Maths
Biology
Computing
History
French
(Nat 5)
(Nat 5)
(Nat 5)
(Nat 5)
(Nat 5)
(Nat 5)
School concerts and
shows
English
English
Maths
Biology
History
School concerts and
shows
(Higher)
(Higher)
(Higher)
(Higher)
Work Experience
S6
Creative Fashion
Psychology
(Higher)
Modern
Stds
(Higher)
Connecting Classrooms
Community work
S4
Steven’s journey
English
Maths
(Nat 4)
(Nat 4)
P.E.
(Nat 5)
Hospitality
(Nat 5)
Design &
Manufacture
(Nat 4)
Skills for Work: Hospitality
at local College
Fundraising Events
Primary Sports Day
S4
English
Maths
Biology
(Nat 5)
(Nat 4)
(Nat 4)
S5
Jenna’s journey
English
Maths
Biology
(Higher)
(Nat 5)
(Nat 5)
Art &
Design
Graphic
Comm.
(Nat 5)
(Nat 5)
Art &
Design
(Higher)
P.E.
School Shows
(Nat 5)
Design course at College
School Shows
Young Enterprise
Who are
we?
Career Education Opportunities
“As they move into the senior phase, young
people of all abilities should have the
opportunity to follow industry relevant vocational
pathways alongside academic studies.”
Education Working For All – June 2014
“The objective of our School College links
programme is to offer a broad range of vocational
education opportunities that introduce pupils to
industry relevant knowledge whilst developing
transferable skills that support transition to the
workplace at the level most suited to their individual
aspirations.”
NPA SCQF 5 Business
Wednesday
Inverurie Learning Centre
C&G Lv 1 Hairdressing
Wednesday
Aberdeen City Campus
C&G Lv 1 Beauty Therapy
Wednesday
Aberdeen City Campus
SfW N4 EE & Childcare
Wednesday
Aberdeen City Campus
SfW N5 EE & Childcare
Wednesday
Aberdeen City Campus
NPA Level 6 Exercise and Fitness Leadership
Wednesday
Aberdeen City Campus
SQA Units SCQF 5 Intro to Working in the Community
Wednesday
Aberdeen City Campus
SfW N5 Construction Crafts
Friday
Fraserburgh Campus
SfW N5 Health Sector
Friday
Fraserburgh Campus
SfW N5 Engineering
Friday
Fraserburgh Campus
IMI Vehicle Systems Maintenance
Friday
Fraserburgh Campus
NC Level 6 Mechanical Engineering
Friday
Fraserburgh Campus
SfW N5 Energy (Young Women into Energy)
TBC
Within school
School College Links Courses
• Young people can study a range of both school and
College qualifications at the same time
• Choosing a School Link course will generally require pupils
to attend a College Campus which may involve
independent travelling.
• Young people will be well equipped for moving on to either
College, University or direct to employment having
developed some of the essential skills required.
School College Links
Courses
• When being taught by a College lecturer young people
will be treated like a College student.
• College is an adult learning environment and we expect
the same adult behaviour of school pupils as we do of our
full time students.
• College courses can mean missing some school classes –
so additional commitment to catching up on missed work
is essential
• When attending a College course we expect pupils to
behave as though they are arriving at work – on time and
well prepared
School College Links
Courses
College staff will report on pupil attendance, behaviour
and progress to school
• A written progress report for school and parents will be
prepared once a year
• All courses are certificated and support progression to
further study, modern apprenticeships, training or
employment.
• Courses support pupils in developing key skills identified
by employers as essential for entering the workplace
•
Contact Us:
Any queries from pupils or parents can be
answered in school by Guidance Staff or Mrs
Anderson, or please email us at:
schools@nescol.ac.uk
We are also on Twitter and Facebook for regular
updates!
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www.nescol.ac.uk/schools