Curriculum Evening

Mearns AcademyS3 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 4/5Administration & ITArt & DesignBiologyBusiness ManagementChemistryDanceDramaEnglishFrenchGeographyGraphic CommunicationHistoryHospitality Nat 4MathematicsModern StudiesMusicPEPhysicsPractical WoodworkingDesign and ManufacturingRMPS 

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 AcademyS4 into S5S5 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 2014National 5 Higher Advanced Higher

Administration & ITArt & DesignBiologyBusiness ManagementDanceDramaEnglishFrenchGeographyGraphic CommunicationHistoryHospitalityMathematicsModern StudiesMusicPEPractical WoodworkingDesign and ManufacturingRMPSSports Leadership 

Administration & ITArt & DesignBiologyBusiness ManagementChemistryDramaEnglishFrenchGeographyGraphic CommunicationHistoryMathematicsModern StudiesMusicPE*Psychology (Dundee and Angus College)PhysicsDesign and ManufacturingRMPSSpanish 

Art & DesignBiologyChemistryEnglishFrenchGeographyGraphic CommunicationHistoryMathematicsModern StudiesMusicPhysics  *Any student considering AH study must discuss arrangements with Faculty Heads*

What S5 choices might look like

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?

Column A Column B Column C Column D Column E

    S5/6 S4 Totals     S5/6 S4 Totals     S5/6 S4 Totals     S5/6 S4 Totals     S5/6 S4 Totals

Admin H 24 0 24Art H 13 0 13English H 29 0 29English H 28 0 28Business H 21 0 21

Biology H 14 0 14Chemistry H 18 0 18English 5 15 0 15English 5 27 0 27French H 11 0 11

Biology H 12 0 12Product H 17 0 17Maths 5 26 0 26Maths H 22 0 22History H 28 0 28

Computing H 11 0 11Drama H 12 0 12Maths H 18 0 18          PE H 30 0 30

Geography H 12 0 12Hospitality 5 6 0 6Sports 5 19 0 19          Physics H 20 0 20

Graphic H 15 0 15Mods H 29 0 29                    RE H 24 0 24

Graphic H 14 0 14                                       

Music H 10 0 10                                       

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?