Moving up into S3

Raising Standards/Improving Knowledge/Developing Skills

All children will be offered a broad, deep and general education from S1-S3, building on previous learning. They will experience a wide range of subjects across eight curriculum areas – expressive arts, languages and literacy, health and wellbeing, mathematics and numeracy, religious and moral education, sciences, social studies and technologies. This provides a good foundation for moving on to study for qualifications, at the right level for the pupil, in the later stages of secondary education known as the Senior Phase.

What have pupils achieved by the end of S2?

  • Pupils have continued to engage with the Experiences and Outcomes from the curriculum areas to provide depth and breadth of learning in their subjects.
  • They have taken in addition, 3 mini options of their choice over the year.
  • They will experience an Eco-challenge day linking science and geography via ZooLab, other interdisciplinary projects and whole school themed events.
  • National levels have been used to describe different stages of their learning. These are: Early, First, Second, Third and Fourth.
  • Most children are expected to be at Third and Fourth Levels within S1 to S3. Fourth level is similar to General Level at Standard Grade. Some may reach these levels at an earlier or at a later age.
  • Progress through the Levels will be described as:

Developing – where pupils are working to gain the skills or knowledge at that Level.

Consolidating – where pupils are building competence and confidence in using the skills or knowledge.

Secure – where pupils are able to apply their skills or knowledge confidently in more complex or new situations.

What will the S3 Curriculum be like?

  • There will be opportunities for increasing specialisation, personalisation and choice to allow for learning at a more advanced level, depending on ability and interest.
  • Most young people will progress into the Fourth curriculum level in many areas of their learning before the end of S3, laying strong foundations for the Senior Phase. Others will be working towards or ready to move beyond this.
  • All pupils will continue to take English and Mathematics. Pupils will select 6 other options from the remaining Curricular Areas in S3 from the subject choice sheet.
  • Literacy, numeracy and health and wellbeing skills will continue to be developed across the school and all pupils will receive PE, RE and PSE in S3.
  • Courses will be planned to allow progression and prepare for the transition into qualifications.

S1-3 Courses at Queen Anne High School

Click to enlarge.

Planning for progression into the Senior Phase

Pupils’ learning will be built on to ensure appropriate progression. A possible model is shown below.

 

End of S2

S3

S4

S5/6

Level 2 secure/ Level 3 developing (early stages)

Level 3

Access 3

National 4

Level 3 developing

Level 3 progressing to Level 4/ SCQF Level 4

National 4 or 5 in some subjects

National 5

Level 3 consolidating

Level 3 progressing to  Level 4/ SCQF Level 4

National 4/5

National 5 or Higher if attained Nat 5 in S4

Level 3 secure

Level 4/SCQF Level 4 progressing to SCQF Level 5

National 5

Higher

Level 4 developing/ consolidating

Level 4/SCQF Level 4 progressing to SCQF Level 5

National 5

Higher

Level 4 secure

SCQF Level 5

Higher

Higher/Advanced Higher

SCQF = Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework

What’s changing around qualifications?

The new qualifications are being phased in between now and session 2015-16 as shown below.

 

SCQF level

New National Qualifications

Replaces

Current National Qualifications

1 and 2

Access 1 and 2 (revised)

from 2013/14

->

Access 1 and Access 2

3

Access 3 (revised)

from 2013/14

->

Access 3

Standard Grade (Foundation level)

4

National 4

from 2013/14

->

Standard Grade (General level)

Intermediate 1

5

National 5

from 2013/14

->

Standard Grade (Credit level)

Intermediate 2

6

Higher (revised)

from 2014/15

->

Higher

7

Advanced Higher (revised)

from 2015/16

->

Advanced Higher

 

Learner Journeys in the Senior Phase

Young people will be supported to make appropriate choices of qualifications beyond S3 to maximise their opportunities and also continue to develop their achievements. It is proposed that for most pupils in the first diet of National 4 or 5 in 2013/14, qualifications sat will build on S3 subjects. There will also be a vocational route with a range of awards/qualifications, including possible college links. The pupil can select a number of subjects to follow to Higher and Advanced Higher Level beyond S4. Progression routes will be flexible, as will be points of entry and length of courses.

Documents relating to the S2-S3 Transition

Document Link
S2 into S3 Subject Choice Booklet S2-S3 Subject Choice Booklet
S2 into S3 Subject Choice From S2-S3 Subject Choice Sheet
S2 Parent/Carer Information S2 Parent/Carer Information

Further information is available from the following websites: