mearns academy

Curriculum for ExcellenceMearns Academy

Mearns Academy

Curriculum for Excellence – Consultation with Parents

Dec 2012

Curriculum for ExcellenceMearns Academy

Purpose of this meeting:

1. To confirm overall Curriculum for Excellence picture

2. To explain planned pattern of delivery in Mearns Academy

3. To show changes / similarities with previous models

4. To allow parents to ask questions and provide feedback

Curriculum for Excellence

Curriculum for ExcellenceMearns Academy

Curriculum for Excellence:

What is it?

• The national programme for curriculum delivery in Scotland for young people aged 3 – 18

Principles

• Challenge and enjoyment

• Progression

• Coherence and relevance

• Depth

• Personalisation and choice

• Breadth

Curriculum for ExcellenceMearns Academy

Curriculum for Excellence:

Seeks to develop 4 capacities:

• confident individuals

• successful learners

• effective contributors

• responsible citizens

Curriculum for ExcellenceMearns Academy

Curriculum for Excellence:

Key Aspects of Delivery (1):

• 8 Curricular Areas - Expressive Arts

Health and Well-being

Languages

Mathematics

Religious and Moral Education

Sciences

Social Studies

Technologies

Curriculum for ExcellenceMearns Academy

Curriculum for Excellence:

Levels and Stages:

Level Stage

Early The pre-school years and P1 or later for some

First To the end of P4, but earlier or later for some

Second To the end of P7, but earlier or later for some

Third and FourthS1 to S3, but earlier for some. The fourth level broadly equates to SCQF level 4

Senior Phase S4 – S6 and college or other means of study

New Qualifications – range of new qualifications planned by SQA (see booklet)

Cross Cutting Themes: Literacy

Numeracy

Health and Well-being

Curriculum for ExcellenceMearns Academy

Mearns Academy and Curriculum for Excellence

Progress and Improvements

• Improving teaching and learning

• Increased liaison with Primary schools re transition

• Building on high quality primary experience

• Revised S1/S2 curriculum structure, revised faculty structure

• Less teachers seen by pupils in S1

• Widespread focus re literacy, numeracy (and health and well-being) across the curriculum

• Reflective period – supports / forces reflection on learning

• Refreshed and imaginative contexts for assessment

• Wide range of cross-sector and inter-disciplinary experiences (e.g. local study, John Muir Trust, P6 Science, SfL and RME, RME and English, Home Econ. and PE, etc.)

Curriculum for ExcellenceMearns Academy

Aberdeenshire Council Position (March 2012):

S1 – S3 Broad General Education

S4 – S6 Senior Phase (to include certification)

Most schools: full adoption of this 2013-14

Mearns Academy: full adoption of this 2014 – 15 onwards

Curriculum for ExcellenceMearns Academy

Scottish Government Position

As per Aberdeenshire council

S3 study of broad, general education

S3 profile to be produced

little definition re model of delivery

no qualifications to be taken in S3

Curriculum for ExcellenceMearns Academy

Mearns Academy – Interim Year 2012 - 13

S1 - BGE – common course

S2 - BGE – common course

S3 - Eight subjects selected across curricular areas (it is anticipated these will continue into S4 following production of S3 profile)

S4 - Last year of Standard Grades

S5/6 - As per previous

Personalisation in the classroom/setting

Curriculum for ExcellenceMearns Academy

Mearns Academy – Interim Year 2013 - 14

S1 - BGE – common course

S2 - BGE – common course

S3 - BGE – limited personalisation, coverage in all curricular areas, some setting, some rotas

S4 - Completion of current S3 courses to N3, 4 or 5

S5/6 - As per previous

Personalisation in the classroom/setting

Curriculum for ExcellenceMearns Academy

Mearns Academy – 2014 - 15

S1 - BGE – common course

S2 - BGE – common course

S3 - BGE – limited personalisation, coverage in all curricular areas, some setting, some rotas

S4 – S6 - Senior phase:

Personalisation in the classroom/setting

S4 up to 6 subjects (Eng & Maths compulsory)

S5/6 up to 5 subjects

Extraction group in S4

N3, 4, 5, H, AH qualifications (new and old?)

Some bi-level classes

Curriculum for ExcellenceMearns AcademyMearns Academy Proposed Curriculum for Excellence Structure December 2012

Curriculum for ExcellenceMearns Academy

Assessment and Certification

N3 and N4 - internally assessed (units and value-added)

- pass or fail

N5 / H / AH - units assessed internally under controlled conditions

- value added assessed in most cases by exam

- graded A – D (banded within that 1 – 9)

Fallback - near miss at N5 can result in award on N4

- no such facility for H to N5

Curriculum for ExcellenceMearns Academy

Next Steps

• Confirm steps to deliver revised curriculum structure in Senior Phase

• Review / extend challenge in S1 / S2

• Review / amend delivery and procedures re current S2 into S3

• Review / amend S3 courses for future model – extend challenge

• Prepare for current S3 sitting N3 / N4 / N5 in May 2014

Keeping pupil’s learning at the heart of things – classroom practice will always be the key to success in any model.

Curriculum for ExcellenceMearns Academy

Mearns Academy and Curriculum for Excellence:

Issues and Challenges:

• Giving widest possible range of personalisation in S4-S6

• Ensuring pace and challenge in S1-3

• Resourcing / staff development – a lot happening!

• Assessment and reporting – clarity and consistency

• Ensuring parents, partners and employers are aware of revised structure / qualifications

Curriculum for ExcellenceMearns Academy

Parents and Curriculum for Excellence:

Expressed concerns have included:

• Schools not ready to deliver new qualifications in 2014

• Reduction of S4 qualifications will compromise students

• Too narrow a curriculum in S4

• Some students in S3 will be under-challenged

Curriculum for ExcellenceMearns Academy

Mearns Academy and Curriculum for Excellence:

Some re-assurance for parents:

The national backdrop and coverage in the press has provoked understandable concerns.

But - we will keep you informed about this development

- it is a national development

- all Aberdeenshire schools (and Angus, Aberdeen, Dundee, Moray) are following this proposed model

- our first priority has always been not to disadvantage any year group or individual learners

Further information available via: www.educationscotland.gov.uk/parentzonewww.sqa.org.uk