Monifieth High School
Preparing for Senior Phase
S4
Wednesday 30th January 2013
Agenda
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Welcome
FAQs
Background
Next steps: key issues
• If you have any questions please note them on
the post-it notes and we will make the answers
available on the school website
Curriculum for Excellence
at
Monifieth High School
• Skills for life
• Qualifications for the future
• Wider achievement
• Personal support
• Offering different routes
The Monifieth High School
Learning Triangle
Literacy
Thinking Skills
Communication Skills
Health
Numeracy
&
Wellbeing
Interpersonal Skills
Skills
Relevance
Knowledge
Fourth
Level
Third
Level
Second
Level
S2-3
S4-6
S1-2
P5-7
First
Level
P1-4
Curriculum Areas
Subjects
http://www.sqa.org.uk/sqa/59033.html
What’s different about the new qualifications?
• The new qualifications will be less prescriptive; with more
personalisation and choice
• Courses are made up of 2 or more units. Each unit is internally
assessed (pass/fail)
• National 4 has an additional ‘value added’ unit which
combines different elements of a Course into an overall
assessment. There is no external exam at National 4
• National 5 and above: courses assessment consists of:
– External exam marked by SQA
– ‘added value’ element - Assignment completed and marked in school
• National 5/ Higher/Advanced Higher are graded A-C
Senior Phase Qualifications
S6
Advanced
Higher
Higher
S5
Higher
National 5
National 5
National 4
S4
National 5
National 4
National 3
Skill-based Highers & National 4/5? 
5 Highers in S5? 
Extra Highers “from scratch” in S6? 
3 Science Highers? 
Approved by Scottish Government, HMI, SQA? 
www.educationscotland.gov.uk/parentzone/cfe
University of Aberdeen
Curriculum for Excellence Statement
“The University of Aberdeen currently does not stipulate a
minimum number of Standard Grade and/or Intermediate 2
qualifications. This will be extended to include National 5
subjects. “
“We remain committed to promoting a fair admissions policy to
ensure we give equal consideration to candidates who apply on
time and who possess the necessary knowledge and skills,
irrespective of the route travelled through the Senior Phase, S4
to S6.”
“In at least one of the Senior Phase years – S4 or S5 or S6, there
is an expectation that a minimum of three Highers or Advanced
Higher subjects are studied and presented for examinations.”
University of Aberdeen
Curriculum for Excellence Statement
Medicine
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National 5 qualifications : English and Maths are required
(currently Grade B minimum); Biology and Physics are
recommended but not compulsory (Grade B minimum).
Higher qualifications : Chemistry (Grade B minimum).
Two subjects are required from Biology/Human Biology,
Maths, Physics.
Two further Highers in most other subjects – applicants
should check with the Medical Admissions office if
clarification required. These may be taken across the Senior
Phase – S4 to S6
There is no requirement, and therefore no advantage given,
to obtaining the three sciences required in one sitting. Maths
is regarded as a science.
WIDER
ACHIEVEMENTS
What happens next...
• “Preparing for Senior Phase: S4” booklet
• Wednesday 6th February: S4 Option Sheets
issued
• Wednesday 13th February: S3 Parents’ Evening
• Thursday 14th February: return S4 Option
Sheet
• January/February: Discussion in SE
• This evening: please stay, ask and chat!