Curriculum Evening presentation

Curriculum Evening Mearns Academy S3 into S4

Tonight’s Meeting • To outline key tasks and conversations which help create the timetable and the curriculum • To confirm that support given from teachers and importantly Guidance Teachers • To support parents in supporting your child • To confirm that we understand this is a difficult and sensitive time making realistic choices. • To ask any questions.

Current S3 Timeline • Jan/Feb • • • • •

Tracking Window and Reports with recommendations written. Parents Evening to discuss progress and pupil potential Course Choice Booklet available on School Website. Maths and English + 4 free choices, in priority order & 1 reserve. Input from Guidance Teachers.

• Feb/March • 6 columns created to best fit pupil choices and staff capacity. • Pupils choose Maths, English and one subject from remaining 4 columns. • Guidance offer significant support and liaise with parents

• March/April • Timetable completed and classes assigned

Mearns Academy Curriculum Structure 2014

S4 Courses Mearns Academy 2015 National 4/5 Administration & IT Art & Design Biology Business Management Chemistry Dance Drama English French Geography Graphic Communication History Hospitality Nat 4 Mathematics Modern Studies Music PE Physics Practical Woodworking Design and Manufacturing RMPS

What S4 choices might look like

What am I interested in? What am I good at? What would be best to study for my future plans? What will I work at best? What do my teachers recommend? What does my parent/carer say? What can I do to keep my options open?

When choices are made • All pupils in S4 can start a course at the appropriate level – Nat 3, Nat 4 or Nat 5 • Build on their skills from S3 and work hard to be presented at the highest level. • Maths and English supports Numeracy and Literacy > Opens up Curriculum and Learning • Use your Value-Added to complete homework and consolidate classwork • Engage with PE, healthy body, healthy brain

Staying on Track • • • • • • • • • •

Guidance Teacher there for Support. PSE – Study Skills, Health, Employability Value Added – Hmwk, UASPs, Breathing Space Three Tracking Windows and Grade Reports Show My Homework, Parent Letters. National Parent Forum of Scotland (Nationals in a Nutshell) SQA Website UASPs offer progression Class Teachers Positive Destinations

S3 Course Choice Guidance Input

Guidance Staff Input • PSE • Knowledge of the pupils – through discussion and teacher feedback • Knowledge of their strengths and any areas for improvement • My World of Work • S3 Report issued 5/2/15 – with recommendation of level of study from staff • S3 Parents Evening – Tuesday 10/2/15

Other Agencies • Skills Development Scotland • Jobs & careers advice - apprenticeships, learning, training - | | My World of Work • School Learners - SQA • Careers Library • Careers Adviser appointments available for pupils through Guidance

Don’t Panic! Think about the questions below and it should become a lot easier: • What subjects do I enjoy most? • What subjects am I good at? • What are my skills and interests? • What do I like doing outside school? • Career aspirations? • Choose subject (s) because you want to and not because your friends choose it • Don’t choose a subject because you like the teacher • Where can I get advice?

Curriculum Evening Mearns Academy S4 into S5 S5 into S6

Tonight’s Meeting • To outline key tasks and conversations which help create the timetable and the curriculum • To confirm that support given from teachers and importantly Guidance Teachers • To support parents in supporting your child • To confirm that we understand this is a difficult and sensitive time making realistic choices. • To ask any questions.

Current S4 Timeline • Jan/Feb • 2nd Assessment Window Supports dialogue with teachers regarding Target Grades and S5 Aspirations. • 5 free choices, in priority order and one reserve. • Input from Guidance Teachers.

• Feb/March • 5 (+1 core) columns created to best fit pupil choices and staff capacity. • Pupils will choose one subject from each of the columns. • Important to be realistic about levels of study. • Guidance offer significant support and liaise with parents

• March/April • Timetable completed and classes assigned

Current S5 Timeline • Jan/Feb • 2nd Assessment Window Supports dialogue with teachers regarding Target Grades and S5 Aspirations. • Minimum of 4 free choices, in priority order and one reserve. • Input from Guidance Teachers.

• Feb/March • 5 (+1 core) columns created to best fit pupil choices. • “Full-Time Education” - pupils will choose one subject from any 4 columns. Impacts on EMA • Advanced Highers will be discussed in more detail. • Guidance offer significant support and liaise with parents

• March/April • Timetable completed and classes assigned

Mearns Academy Curriculum Structure 2014

Mearns Academy Curriculum Structure 2014 National 5 Administration & IT Art & Design Biology Business Management Dance Drama English French Geography Graphic Communication History Hospitality Mathematics Modern Studies Music PE Practical Woodworking Design and Manufacturing RMPS Sports Leadership

Higher Administration & IT Art & Design Biology Business Management Chemistry Drama English French Geography Graphic Communication History Mathematics Modern Studies Music PE *Psychology (Dundee and Angus College) Physics Design and Manufacturing RMPS Spanish

Advanced Higher Art & Design Biology Chemistry English French Geography Graphic Communication History Mathematics Modern Studies Music Physics

*Any student considering AH study must discuss arrangements with Faculty Heads*

What S5 choices might look like Column A

Column B

S5/6 S4 Totals

Column C

S5/6 S4 Totals

Column D

S5/6 S4 Totals

Column E

S5/6 S4 Totals

S5/6 S4 Totals

Admin

H

24

0

24 Art

H

13

0

13 English

H

29

0

29 English

H

28

0

28 Business

H

21

0

21

Biology

H

14

0

14 Chemistry

H

18

0

18 English

5

15

0

15 English

5

27

0

27 French

H

11

0

11

Biology

H

12

0

12 Product

H

17

0

17 Maths

5

26

0

26 Maths

H

22

0

22 History

H

28

0

28

Computing

H

11

0

11 Drama

H

12

0

12 Maths

H

18

0

18

PE

H

30

0

30

Geography

H

12

0

12 Hospitality

5

6

0

6 Sports

5

19

0

19

Physics

H

20

0

20

Graphic

H

15

0

15 Mods

H

29

0

RE

H

24

0

24

Graphic

H

14

0

14

Music

H

10

0

10

29

What am I interested in? What am I good at? What are my future study plans, including S6 plans? What will I work at best? What do my teachers recommend? What does my parent/carer say? What can I do to keep my options open?

When choices are made • Nearly all pupils in S5 will start a course at the appropriate level – Nat 5 or Higher • Build on their skills from S4 and work hard to ensure progression. • Pre-requisite Qualifications. • Maths and English not compulsory but core subjects which supports Numeracy and Literacy > Opens up Curriculum and Learning • Use your Study Periods to complete homework and consolidate classwork • Engage with PE, healthy body, healthy brain

Staying on Track • • • • • • • • • •

Guidance Teacher there for Support. PSE – Study Skills, Health, Employability Study Periods – Hmwk, UASPs, Breathing Space Three Tracking Windows and Grade Reports Show My Homework, Parent Letters. National Parent Forum of Scotland (Nationals in a Nutshell) SQA Website UASPs offer progression Class Teachers Positive Destinations

S4 Course Choice Guidance Input

Guidance Staff Input • PSE • Knowledge of the pupils – through discussion and teacher feedback • Knowledge of their strengths and any areas for improvement • My World of Work • S5/6 Assessment Window and Interim Grade Report.

Other Agencies • Skills Development Scotland • Careers Library • Careers Adviser appointments available for pupils through Guidance

Don’t Panic! Think about the questions below and it should become a lot easier: • What subjects do I enjoy most? • What subjects am I good at? • What are my skills and interests? • What do I like doing outside school? • Career aspirations? • Choose subject (s) because you want to and not because your friends choose it • Don’t choose a subject because you like the teacher • Where can I get advice?