Welcome Hyndland Secondary S2 Information Evening

Welcome Hyndland Secondary

S2 Information Evening

Introduction and Overview

Ms McNeil

Head Teacher

Curriculum for Excellence?‘Curriculum’ in this context means ‘all that is planned for children and young people throughout their education’:

• The ethos and life of the school as a community• Curriculum areas and subjects• Interdisciplinary learning• Opportunities for personal achievement

What’s the aim?

Curriculum for Excellence: the three pillars

• Raising standards• Improving knowledge• Developing skills

…Bringing life to learning and learning to life

Curricular Areas• Expressive arts• Languages and literacy• Health and wellbeing• Mathematics and numeracy• Religious and moral education• Sciences• Social studies• Technologies

Why change?• Preparing young people for an ever changing

world• Nurturing them to be:

– successful learners– confident individuals – responsible citizens – effective contributors

• Build on Scotland’s reputation for having a great education system

So what is new?

New qualificationsThe Scottish education system is world-renowned and our qualifications are highly valued.

Higher and Advanced Higher qualifications will remain and will be updated to reflect changes to the curriculum.

From 2013/2014 there will be new National 3, National 4 and National 5 qualifications to replace Access, Standard Grade and Intermediate 1 and 2 courses.

Young people can now study for Scottish Science and Scottish Language Baccalaureate (a stage on from Higher/Advanced Higher).

Current National Qualifications

Replaced by New National Qualifications

Access 1 & Access 2

> National 1 & National 2

Access 3Standard Grade (Foundation level)

> National 3 - assessed by teachers

Standard Grade (General level)Intermediate 1

> National 4 - assessed by teachers

Standard Grade (Credit level)Intermediate 2

> National 5 – final external assessment & coursework or performance

Higher > Higher (revised & refreshed)

Advanced Higher > Advanced Higher (revised & refreshed)

Building towards

the Senior Phase

When will my son / daughter be required to make the relevant decisions in terms of Course

Planning?S1-S3 is designed to provide a broad, general education, but there can be scope for choices including increasing specialisation during that time, for example at the end of S2. This flexibility helps ensure learners have the right level of challenge and support & will provide a strong basis for moving on to the learning for qualifications.

• In the past we have allowed pupils to choose subjects in February of S2 ready for new subjects in May.

• Some schools will delay the chance for pupils to choose subjects until the end of S3 – with all pupils continuing with all their subjects from S1 for another year

The curriculum – Hyndland Secondary

What are the pros?

• This allows pupils another year to mature before making decisions about subjects they will take on to qualification level

• This allows pupils more chance to experience their subjects before making a decision

What are the cons?• Readiness? They know what subjects they enjoy, and

the subjects they don’t• Choosing at the end of S2 allows teachers to give you

a deeper understanding of your chosen subjects• Choosing at the end of S3 will mean choosing fewer

subjects in S4 to give teachers enough time to cover the courses – this might limit what pupils can do later

• New subjects can be made available in S3 if choices are being made – this will not happen if there is no course planning

The curriculum – Hyndland Secondary

• In Hyndland we are allowing our young people some choice of courses for further study in May of S2 and their new courses will begin in August of S3

• Further course choice may be required at the end of S3 as young people begin examination courses in S4 to ensure learners are on the most appropriate pathway

How many subjects will young people choose?

• In all pupils will continue with eleven areas of study – five which will be compulsory and six which young people choose following advice and support by teachers and Pastoral Care staff.

Compulsory Subjects

English

Maths

RME

PE

PSE

Choices

Students will then be allowed to select from curricular areas set out within Curriculum for Excellence

Expressive Arts Sciences Social Studies Technologies Additional - 2 Options

3 3 3 3 3 3

French

Art and Design

French

Biology

French

Business M

French

Admin and IT Admin and IT French

Drama Chemistry Geography Computing Art and Design Geography

Physical Education Physics History

Computer GamesDevelopment Biology HFT

MusicModern

StudiesDesign andManufacture Business M History

PFTT    Engineering

Science Chemistry Modern Studies

    HFT 

Computer Games

Development Music

        Computing Media Studies

       Design andManufacture Physics

        Drama Spanish

PFTTEngineering

Science

S4 Senior Phase Qualifications ~ English and S4 Senior Phase Qualifications ~ English and Maths + 6 OptionsMaths + 6 Options3 or 4 periods per subject

Column A

Column B

Column C

Column D

Column E

Subject Choice

Expressive Arts

Subject Choice

Science

Subject Choice

Social Subjects

Subject Choice

Technologies

2 x Subject Choice

Electives

S5/6 Senior Phase ~ 5 OptionsS5/6 Senior Phase ~ 5 Options 6 periods per subject ~

Column A

Column B

Column C

Column D

Column E

Subject Choice Subject Choice Subject Choice Subject Choice Subject Choice

What will the Senior Phase in Hyndland Secondary School look like?

What does it mean for qualifications

• On the whole this model will see young people attaining eight qualifications across National 3, National 4 and National 5, depending on ability, by the end of S4.

• Pupils will then progress to the most appropriate courses as the narrow their choices further to normally 5 into S5.

Pupil voice

• Given the importance of this to young people the most important dialogue we have had so far has been with our pupils through Assemblies and PSE

• Last session the current S2 pupils were encouraged to let us know what they thought

Parental Involvement

• This process was outlined at a Parent Forum Meeting in February 2012 where parents overwhelmingly supported the model

• The matter was then fully discussed at Parent Council in February 2012 where again parents supported this model

The future

• The model of choosing subjects for S3 is our current model.

• Following advice from Scottish Government and from Education Scotland the position may change over the next two years.

• Parents will be consulted on any changes.

Dr. MacLeod

Depute Head Teacher

The Process

• Course Planning booklets issued through PSE over the next few weeks (beginning of March)

• Discussions in PSE with PSE teachers• Discussions with class teachers • S2 Reports (April)• S2 Parents’ evening – Thursday 1st May

• Individual interviews with pupils at the start of May

• Final decisions by young people confirmed by parents at the start of May

• Timetable complete and courses confirmed with pupils in June ready for new timetable in August

Option Form

• A draft Option form will be included in the Course Planning booklet issued through PSE this month

• A final version, confirming pupils choices will be signed by parents and young people

• Once all forms are received the process of creating classes begins

• Pupils will provide second choices in case subjects cannot be offered following the options process or the combinations of subjects cannot be offered

Some DOs and DON’Ts• remember that you are choosing a course

that is likely to last for TWO years.

• choose a BALANCED course. You must have a range of different types of subjects.

• listen to advice from your teachers, your parents, and careers service.

• remember that it may not be possible to offer every pupil her or his first choice of subjects. Of course we will do our best.

DO

• pay attention to your S2 Report. Generally speaking, you will probably do better to choose subjects in which you have done well.

• consider also how much you ENJOY a subject. Education is about more than getting certificates. It is also about enjoyment and satisfaction.

• remember to think about what you may wish to do in Fifth and Sixth Year

DO

• choose a subject just because your friend has chosen it

• choose a subject just because you like (or dislike!) the teacher. You may have a different teacher next session

• give up a subject without thinking whether or not you may need it

• that throughout your life you have to make decisions. Make sure that you have thought about these matters carefully. Never hesitate to ask for advice or information. We are here to help.

Don’t

Remember

Mrs Mills

Pastoral Care Team

Pastoral Care

Supporting Personalisation

and Choice

Pastoral Care Teachers2A Lomond House Mrs Pollock

2B Rannoch HouseMrs Mills

2C Nevis House Mr Nee

2D Katrine House Mrs Ritchie

2E Torridon House Mr Carstairs

2F Katrine House Mrs Ritchie

The story so far…Interim Reports - October 2013

Self Evaluation: Target Setting Strengths/Areas for Development (Copy of Targets sent home)

Within our weekly PSE Programme: Preparation for Course Planning: Class discussion on: Skills and qualities of specific careers,Job satisfaction, looking at the current job market

.

continued….

• PlanIt Plus website and my world of work:

• Interactive Careerometer

• Research on specific professions and specific subject requirements

• General research on areas of interest

• Appointment with the Career Adviser

Next Steps…..S2 Reports issued April 2014

Course Choice Booklet issued to each pupil

Detailed Subject/Course information

Further discussion in class and at home

S2 Parents’ Evening - Thursday 1 May 2014

Course Choice Interview – Tuesday 6 May 2014

The Interview

• Each interview is scheduled for 10 minutes

• Each pupil should be well prepared for their interview

• After the interview, the form is taken home for parent/guardian to sign

• Pupil returns completed form to Pastoral Care Teacher by Friday 9th May

Who Can I Ask for Advice?

• Pastoral Care Staff and Tutors

• Careers Adviser

• Subject Teachers

• Senior Leadership Team

• Mentors

• Parents

• Family

Useful Websites

• Planitplus - Learning Zone

• Mappit - Apprenticeships/Training

• Workit - Employment

• My World of Work – wide range of support

‘Life is the sum of all your choices’

- Albert Camus

The End