Senior Phase

Meldrum Academy

January 2013

S4-S6

• Pupils moving into S4 will choose up to 6 courses at the and of S3.

• S5 pupils will choose up to 5 courses. S6 by negotiation on a points basis.

• Courses will be one year long.• Courses will lead to National Qualifications awarded by

the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA), as at present.

• Pupils will sit at exams at a level most appropriate to their own level of achievement and attainment.

• There will be options of courses taught at Banff & Buchan and Aberdeen Colleges.

• Wide range of co-curricular and extra curricular options.

Combined Senior Phase

• Set up the school timetable so that S4, S5 and S6 can have the same choice of subjects.

• E.g. an Accounting and Finance class working at level 5 can be open to pupils in S4, S5 and S6.

• Classes that were not viable because of low numbers could now run.

• More classes at different levels can operate so that pupils can be make good progress by working at the most appropriate level.

• A wider range of courses and levels including new courses and subjects.

Building up qualifications

• Pupil build up a portfolio of qualifications, achievements and experiences.

• Greater focus on partnerships with colleges and universities, CLD, relevant work experience, other schools and volunteering in and out of school.

• Greater focus on wider achievements both in and out of school.

• Portfolio continues to be developed and added to after pupils have left school at work, college or university

English

Level 5French

Level 5

Maths Level 5

History Level 5

Music level 5

Chemistry Level 5

Sue’s journey S4

Enjoys languages and music, thought about taking two languages but kept her options open with a science subject.

Plays trumpet in school groups and hopes to pass an audition for North Aberdeenshire Orchestra.

English

Level 5

English

Higher

French

Level 5

Maths Level 5

History Level 5

Music level 5

French

Higher

History

Higher

Music Higher

Spanish Level 4/5

Chemistry Level 5

Sue’s journey S5

Languages are a key strength. Made very good progress in English and History. Decides to add a second language – Spanish, starting from scratch but will do Higher in S6. Plays in school and Aberdeenshire orchestras.

English

Level 5

English

Higher

French

Level 5

Maths Level 5

History Level 5

Music level 5

French

Higher

History

Higher

Music Higher

Spanish Level 4/5

Spanish Higher

Music Advanced Higher

French Advanced Higher

Chemistry Level 5

Sue’s journey to study Languages at University

Prefect, Depute House Captain, school & Aberdeenshire orchestra, buddy in French classes, Rotary Club sponsor Euroscola to Brussels, part-time employment as a distillery guide

English

Level 5

Computing

Level 4

Maths Level 5

Graph Comm Level 5

Craft Skills (Wood) level 5

College Rural Skills

Level 4

Alan’s journey

Alan has worked on a farm at weekends. He thinks that he would like to leave school at the end of S4 and go to college and take a course in agriculture. Alan has enjoyed technical subjects and maths. In S4 he attends a local college for one day per week and takes the Rural Skills course. He has a work experience placement with Aberdeenshire Council grounds maintenance team. Alan works with Skills Development Scotland and secures a modern apprenticeship with a local agricultural company.

English

Level 5

Maths Higher

Graph Comm level 5

Maths Level 5

Physics level 5

Skills for Work College

Graph Comm Higher

Physics Higher

Design and Manf. level 5

College NC Engineer

CollegeNC Engineer

Stephen’s journey

In S3 Stephen thought that he could would like to work as a mechanical engineer and so he chose to spend one day a week at local college on practical course. He enjoyed college and joined the H+ scheme in S5. He did Higher maths and the school supported him with classes in engineering maths. He made a presentation to local employers as part of a business engagement evening and then was successful in getting and Oil and Gas Industry apprenticeship with Opito.

EnglishAccessLevel 3

Literacy

Music Access Level 3

Steps to Work Level 3/4

Supported Study Maths Access 3

Child Care College

Music

Level 4/5

Hospitality Access Level 3

Hospitality level 4/5

Child CareCollege

Lauren’s journey

Lauren has a range of additional educational support needs. She is very hard working and responsible. Lauren enjoys the RDA sessions. In S4 Lauren attended a local FE college and studied Child Care at Level 4. She enjoyed this and decided to follow this course at the next level in S5 with a view to leaving school at the end of S5 to study Child Care on a full time basis. In addition, in S5 Lauren represented the school in the Taste of Grampian competition and had work experience in a creche.

Maths Personal Finance Level 4

English

Level 5

English

Higher

Biology

Level 5

Maths Level 5

Physics Level 5

Chemistry level 5

HumanBiology

Higher

Physics

Higher

ChemistryHigher

Maths Higher

French

Higher

ChemstryAdvanced Higher

Biology Advanced

Higher

French Level 5

Jo’s journey

Jo wanted to study medicine and chose three science subjects in S4 and followed these through into S5. She undertook the required medical work experience and volunteered in a local care home. Jo was a prefect, house captain and number buddy. She completed the silver DoE and went to The Gambia as part of the Gold.

English

Level 5

English

2-yr Higher

French

Level 5

Maths Level 5

Business Man. Level 5

Chemistry level 5

College NC course

College NC course

Accounts & Fin. Higher

Maths Higher

English

Higher

French

Higher

College

HNC

Accounts& Financ. Level 5

Anne’s journey

Anne really enjoyed the Business & Finance course in S3 and this gives her a direction for S4. In S5 she attend a local college for one day on the H+ course. She proves to be an excellent student and gains an HNC by the end of S6. Anne is a prefect and helps produce a community newsletter. Anne is offered entry to year 3 at university to study a business course (under the 2+2 scheme) but opts for yr 2 entry and takes Business with a European Language French.