Monifieth High School

Preparing for Senior PhaseS4

Wednesday 30th January 2013

Agenda

• 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 answersavailable 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

Interpersonal Skills

Thinking Skills Communication Skills

P1-4

P5-7

S1-2S2-3 S4-6

SecondLevel

FirstLevel

ThirdLevel

FourthLevel

SubjectsCurriculum Areas

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

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

• 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.

WIDERACHIEVEMENTS

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!