Thurso High School S4/5/6 Senior Phase Options 2017-18 Information for Students, Parents and Carers A community working together to inspire learning and achievement.
Contents The Senior Phase S4 S5 S6 The S4 Curriculum The S5 Curriculum The S6 Curriculum What about attainment and national qualifications? Which Subjects to Choose? Senior Phase pathways available in 2017-18 About the Option Forms Senior School Contract Senior Phase Course Information 2017-18 1
The Senior Phase (S4, S5 & S6) Pupils entering the Senior Phase have the opportunity to build on previous successes and to prepare for further or higher education, training or employment. Pupils are encouraged, at this important time, to choose a well-balanced and coherent program of study which is relevant to their future pathways. For more information see the National Parent Forum of Scotland Learning Pathways in the Senior Phase and Beyond http://www.npfs.org.uk/wpcontent/uploads/2015/09/npfs_world_of_possibilities_1509_e.pdf Although the curriculum in the senior phase is delivered in the main in school, there are also opportunities in the Senior Phase for learning in North Highland College, through the College School Link programme. These courses all take place on a Friday, starting Friday June 9 th 2017 and pupils attending College on a Friday are required to attend school for period one when they will have timetabled classes. All new school courses begin on Monday 5th June. For information on the courses offered through the School Link programme see https://www.northhighland.uhi.ac.uk/school-partnerships/school-link-courses There are also opportunities at North Highland College for pupils to follow Foundation Apprenticeship courses in S5/6 see https://www.northhighland.uhi.ac.uk/schoolpartnerships/social%20services%20and%20healthcare%20fa. In addition to the information contained in this guide, Pupil Support teachers will be discussing course choices with students who can also seek advice from their subject teachers, senior promoted staff in the school or from Careers Scotland staff at school. Any parent who wishes to consult a member of the Pupil Support staff during the session should contact the school (893822) and a suitable appointment will be arranged. The S4 Curriculum As they approach the transition to S4 pupils will receive information on their progress in the S3 School Report issued on 2 nd Feb 2017 and should also consider the information on each subject offered at National level contained in the Senior Phase Subject Information available on the school website. There is also useful information for parents contained in the National Parent Forum of Scotland s website Nationals in a Nutshell http://www.npfs.org.uk/nationals-in-a-nutshell/. In S4 pupils will have core subjects comprising 2 periods per week of Physical Education and 1 period per week of Personal and Social Education. In addition pupils will study six certificated subjects, two of which will be English and Maths. The other four will be chosen at the start of March in S3. They will progress S5/S6 Course Information 2017-18 Jan 2016 6
within these subjects in S4 and sit National Level exams at Levels 2-5 as appropriate at the end of S4. It is important that pupils view their Senior Phase as a whole and plan their pathway through S4, S5 and S6 (if they remain at school) at the outset. Many N5 and Higher courses are offered on a two year basis, where units are covered in the first year and the external exam is sat at the end of the second year, thus allowing more time for some pupils to achieve their potential. Points for a pupil to consider when making choices: What are the requirements for any career you may have in mind? Have you researched these? Are options broad enough to be flexible? Job ideas may change over the next few years. It is advisable to pick subjects you enjoy and are good at. Make your own choices don t make a choice just because that is what your friends are choosing. Is it right for you regardless of whether you are a boy or a girl? There are no right or wrong choices or careers for boys or girls. The S5 Curriculum Entry to S5 and S6 is not completely automatic and pupils will be asked to complete a Senior School Contract. This will ask pupils to agree to the standards expected of senior pupils and you can see a copy of the contract in this booklet. Failure to abide by the terms of the agreement will result in warnings being issued and could lead to the student being required to leave school. In S5, pupils can choose to study up to five subjects at levels ranging from National (Levels 2-5) to Higher (Level 6). Highers are studied for six periods a week and Nationals mostly for five periods per week. Pupils can also choose courses from the North Highland College School Link programme, though they should be aware that following one of these courses may result in missing a period of teaching from one or two of the subjects chosen if these are Higher subjects. Pupils are offered enhancement to their learning and wider achievement opportunities in S5 by the choice of one period per week +1 Options if they are following a National 4 or 5 level course (staffing dependent). In S5 most pupils will also have core subjects comprising one period per week of Physical Education or Study and one period per week of Personal and Social Education. S5 pupils who wish to apply for university with the intention of going at the end of S5 should ensure they speak to a member of SMT about their UCAS application at the beginning of the session as they will have to be assigned to one of UCAS application classes. S5 often have full timetables so may have to attend the lunchtime session.
Pupils are required to have a full timetable in S5. The S6 Curriculum In sixth year pupils will usually study at most five subjects though pupils may choose to fill one of the five blocks by following the S6 Opportunities Programme, (see below). Pupils with a heavy work load (three Advanced Higher courses) may also have a free block for personal study time. In S6 pupils will be offered some Personal and Social Education time throughout the year. This will include assemblies and time to meet with PSE teachers. Pupils can arrange to see their Pupil Support Teacher for individual advice or support at any time. Careers interviews will be available mainly on request. Opportunities for practice interviews will be available. S6 pupils will be allocated a UCAS class to assist their application to university if appropriate. The S6 Opportunities Programme includes: assisting in departments with younger pupils; volunteering with lunchtime or other clubs; working with pupils in the Autism Base or the Enhanced Provision Unit; buddying identified pupils. The aims of the S6 Opportunities Programme are: to serve the school and local communities; to gain experience relevant to specific career plans e.g. Nursing / Medicine/ Social Work / Teaching. Anyone contemplating a vocational career must secure a relevant community placement; to develop core skills e.g. communication, problem solving, working with others; all of which are essential skills for work and life; to build up evidence of these qualities for use in Personal Statements, CVs, progress files, application forms and at interview. To make Sixth Year a year of transition to work, College, further or Higher Education. Further information will be given to the pupils on the S6 Opportunities Programme at the S6 Induction in June. What about attainment and national qualifications? SCQF Level National Qualifications Grades Assessment 2 National 2 Pass/fail Unit based assessment 3 National 3 Pass/fail Unit based assessment
4 National 4 Pass/fail 5 National 5 A - D 6 Higher A - D 7 Advanced Higher A - D Unit based assessment plus Added Value Unit External assessment/assignment (or Unit Assessment) Unit assessment plus external assessment/assignment Unit assessment plus external assessment/assignment How are the qualifications assessed and graded? Until the end of session 2016/17 all National Courses (including Higher and Advanced Higher) will be made up of units. Each unit is assessed on a pass or fail basis, and must be passed in order to achieve the whole course award. Students will be able to do extra work and be re-assessed should they not succeed at first. Only one re-assessment is usually possible. In Session 2017/18 the SQA have withdrawn the necessity for National 5 pupils to sit the unit assessments they can just sit the external assessment. This will be the case for Highers in session 18/19 and for Advanced Highers in 19/20. Please see the SQA website for further information. https://www.sqa.org.uk/sqa/77493.html Pupils studying subjects at National 4 level must also sit an internally marked Added Value Unit which is assessed as pass or fail. Subjects taken at National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher have an Added Value unit which usually takes the form of an externally marked exam and /or assignment or portfolio. External course assessment is set nationally by the Scottish Qualifications Authority, and external assessment grades are A, B, C, or D. If a pupil fails an end of year assessment, they will receive credit for any units they have achieved at the level they were working at; this is changing for National 5. There will be a Prelim Examination in January to prepare students for this exam.
The Post-Results Service ensures that if, after results day in August, a school is concerned by a candidate s result, the school can request an administrative review of the script and/or a request to have the marking of the script checked. This can result in a candidate's grade going up or down. There will be no consideration of alternative evidence with this service and, to ensure that costs are covered, there is a charge to the school for an unsuccessful request. Subject specific details are given in the Subject Choice Information Booklet available on the school website. Which Subjects to Choose? S5 Students with good National 5 passes will be expected to sit Highers in S5 and Advanced Higher and/or more Highers in S6. The progression route from National 5 with an A or B pass is normally to Higher. With a C or D pass at National 5, the best progression route will be decided on an individual basis. For some learners completing the Higher over two years may be the most advisable. This is best discussed with the Subject teacher or Faculty Head. For those with National 4/5 passes, there is the possibility of National 5/Higher courses in S5 and more Highers in S6. Those with good National 4 passes would study at National 5 level in S5 and possibly Highers in S6. For some pupils with National 4 or National 3 passes there are other options available. The individual course descriptors in this booklet for each subject will detail these. Before deciding which level of course to choose, students should discuss their options with their subject teacher, Pupil Support teacher and their parents. The choices that are made at this stage can be changed if students have an unexpected success or disappointment in their certificate examinations this year.
Senior Phase - Pathways from S3 2017-18 Notes units indicates the first year of a two year program, where the pupil focuses on attaining the subject unit assessments in the first year, then builds on this foundation to sit the external exam in the second year. For National 5 this may be dependent on SQA final arrangements for assessment. Subject Requirements S4 options Requirements S5 options Requirements S6 options Notes English CfE Level 2 N3 N3 pass /Level 3 N3 pass /Level 3 CfE Level 3 N4 N4 CfE Level 3/4 N5 units N5 Unit passes N4 N4 N5 English or N4 Media Studies N4 Media Studies N5 English or N5 Media Studies N4 English or N4 Media N5 C-A N5-C-A N5 Media Studies H H N4 or N5 Media Studies is an option for those pupils wishing to take a sideways move with their English studies in S5/6. CfE Level 4 H units units achieved H N5 N5 A,B or C H Higher C-A AH CfE Level 4 Maths N3 pass N4 Num Unit Unit achieved N4 Lifeskills N4 Lifeskills is an option for those CfE Level 2 N3 N3 pass N4 Lifeskills N4 LS pass* N5 Lifeskills Units pupils wishing to study maths further N4 pass N4 Lifeskills N4 LS pass* N5 Lifeskills at N4 level. N5 Lifeskills is a maths option for those N5 pupils not wishing N4 pass** N5 N5 A or B H to progress to Higher maths. CfE Level 3 N4 pass** N5 N5 C or D N5 or N5 N4 *Pass at over 80% in AV Unit required Lifeskills **Pass at over 80% in AV Unit and N4 pass** N5 units units achieved N5 pass an algebraic competency unit N5 C H units units achieved H ***preferably an A or B, but C CfE Level 4 N5 N5 C or D N5 N5 A or B H Units possible. N5 A or B H H pass*** AH Music CfE Level 3 N3 N4 N4/5 A Performing Unit is offered as a +1 CfE Level 3 N4 N5 H CfE Level 4 N5 H AH Option to S5/6 at N4/5/H/AH level. (Requirements: N3 and above Performing standard)
Subject Physical Education S3 entry Requirements S4 options Requirements S5 options Requirements S6 options Notes CfE Level 3 N4 N4 pass N5 N5 pass H The PE department will offer Sports CfE Level 4 N5 N5 A,B H Leader and Fitness as +1 Options for CfE Level 4 N5 N5 C H units H S5/6, staffing permitting. Hospitality CfE Level 3 N4 N4 pass N5 College courses The HE department may offer Cooking CfE Level 4 N5 College courses on a Budget and Cake Decorating as +1 Options, staffing permitting. Religious, Moral CfE Level 2 N3 N3 pass N4 N4 pass N5 RMPS may be studied at N5 or Higher and CfE Level 3 N4 N4 pass N5 units units achieved N5 level with no previous RMPS qualification Philosophical as long as the pupil has an appropriate Studies CfE Level 3 N4 N4 pass N5 N5 pass H qualification in another language based CfE Level 4 N5 N5 C H units units achieved H subject. CfE Level 4 N5 N5 A or B H T e c h n i c a l Practical Woodwork Graphic Communicati on Engineering Science CfE level 3 N4 N4 Pass N5 N4/N5 There is no Higher in this subject. CfE level 4 N5 N5 Pass CfE level 2/3 N4 units Pass units N4 N4 Pass N5 CfE level 3 N4 N4 Pass N5 N5 Pass A or B H CfE level 4 N5 N5 Pass A or B H H Pass Adv H CfE level 2/3 N4 units Pass units N4 N4 pass N5 *Could have N5 Maths or Physics as entry qualification at A or B. CfE level 3 N4 N4 Pass N5 N5 Pass A or B H* CfE level 4 N5 N5 Pass A or B H*
Subject S3 entry S4 options Requirements S5 options Requirements S6 options Notes Requirements French CfE Level 2 N3 N3 pass or good N4 units N4 units or N4 CfE Level 3 N4 level 3 work from S3 N4 pass or good level 4 work N5 units good level 3 work in S3 N5 units or good level 4 N5 Languages for Work may be offered as a +1 Option, staffing permitting from S3 work in S3 (will not be offered) CfE Level 4 N5 N5 B or C H units units achieved H CfE Level 4 N5 N5 A or B H Higher pass plus ability to study independently German CfE Level 3/4 *N4/5 Biology, Chemistry or Physics *German can only be offered in any year if numbers are sufficient and staffing allows this is unlikely for 2017/18 CfE Level 2/3 N3 N3 pass N4 N4 pass N5 Qualifications can be applied between the CfE Level 3 N4 N4 pass N5 units units achieved N5 CfE Level 3/4 N4 N4 pass N5 N5 A or B H CfE Level 4 N5 N5 pass H units units achieved H CfE Level 4 N5 N5 A or B H H A or B AH History CfE Level 2/3 N4 N4 pass N5 units units achieved N5 History, Modern Studies or Geography* CfE Level 4 N5 N5 A, B or C H units units achieved H CfE Level 4 N5 N5 A or B H H pass AH Modern Studies CfE Level 2/3 N4 N4 Pass N5 units units achieved N5 History, Modern Studies or Geography* CfE Level 4 N5 N5 A, B or C H units units achieved H CfE Level 4 N5 N5 A-B H Geography CfE Level 2/3 N4 N4 Pass N5 units units achieved N5 History, Modern Studies or Geography* sciences, eg. N4 Physics could allow entry to N5 Biology or Chemistry, but individual cases would be considered. Entry to Physics without the lower level would require another Science and an equivalent qualification in Maths. *N5 in one Social Subject gives entry requirements into N5 in either of the other Social Subjects. Scottish Studies (S5/6 pupils only) and Travel & Tourism (all Senior Phase pupils) are also being offered in 2017/18 at N4/5 which are very useful alternatives to Higher in any Social Subject. Crash Higher possible in History and Modern Studies if pupils strong in another language based course.
Geography cont. CfE Level 4 N5 N5 A, B or C H units units achieved H **Advanced Higher Geography may be offered if numbers and staffing allows CfE Level 4 N5 N5 A or B H H pass ** but there would be an amount of selfstudy required. Subject S3 entry S4 options Requirements S5 options Requirements S6 options Notes Requirements Art & Design CfE Level 2 N3 units units achieved N3 N3 pass N4 units *AH is usually by arrangement with N3 N3 pass N4 units units achieved N4 the department, if possible. CfE Level 3 N4 N4 pass N5 units units achieved N5 CfE Level 4 N5 units units achieved N5 N5 pass H units N5 N5 C H units units achieved H N5 A or B H H A or B AH*
This booklet is only one source of information designed to help pupils and their parents make subject choices. Others currently being provided by the school include: Discussion in Personal and Social Education classes Access to the career s library Information from the Careers Advisory Service One to one interviews for pupils with Pupil Support teachers About the Option Forms There are copies of the S4 and S5/S6 Option Form on the website. They detail which subjects are available in each block. Please note the points on the back of each Option Form. If your exam results are not as you expect in August there will be some scope to change choices. We also unfortunately cannot guarantee a place in a course, as the school reserves the right to cap the number in a block, and all courses are dependent on staffing. Where a course is only chosen by a small number the school reserves the right to withdraw that option. There will be discussion of the option form in PSE. It will then be issued in Registration to take home for discussion with parents/carers. It should be signed by both the pupil and a parent/carer and returned to the pupil s registration teacher by the date given on the form at the latest. Work on allocating pupils to courses takes place during March and April. S5/S6 Course Information 2017-18 8
Appendix 1 Thurso High School Senior School Contract All students in S5 and S6 are expected to abide by the terms of this contract. and return with your option form by Friday 6 th March. Expectations All students are required to follow the requisite number of courses; complete all classwork, homework and preparation for class to the best of their ability; meet all deadlines for submission of folios, projects, dissertations etc., including drafts; reflect on their performance and ask for help if needed; act on advice / feedback from class teachers; cooperate with all members of the school community; conduct themselves appropriately and considerately; Please sign ensure that their conduct during the school day maintains the good reputation of the school in the community; attend regularly; be punctual; adhere to school dress code. Entitlements The school undertakes to provide, within the resources available a broad range of course, at a number of levels; opportunities for personal and social development; constructive feedback / advice on progress; access to Careers Adviser; references for job / college / university; advice on completion of application forms; opportunities to visit colleges and universities; opportunities for supported study. I have read the Senior School Contract and agree to abide by the conditions set out. I understand that serious breaches of this contract may result in my removal from the school roll. Student signature Class Parent/Carer signature Date Date S5/S6 Course Information 2017-18